posted
Anyone ever had the cap of your IV line pop off? Mine came right out this morning. I swabbed it with alcohol and stuck it back in, then attached some tape to make sure it stays there. I've had the (Groshong) line in for over a year and never had a problem.
I called my nurse to ask her advice, she told me to do exactly what I had done and then draw up some blood and flush the line. She said something similar happened to another patient of hers and she had to get the line replaced (took about a week), but it was no big deal... but to call my doc to let him know.
I needed to call my doc anyway because he told me yesterday when I saw him that it was time to pull the line (since I'm not making any progress). He was supposed to be giving me a referral for a surgeon to pull it. But, when I called today he refused to give me a referral. He told me to go straight to the ER and have them pull it.
It's Friday afternoon and I'm not going to go sit in the ER for the entire weekend waiting for them to see me. I know how triage works, a possibly infected IV line is definitely low on the list of priorities of "emergencies".
Anyone else had the cap pop off? Did you have any complications from it?
I think I'm going to wait until next week and go to the ER during a less busy time... unless I have actual emergency symptoms pop up.
-------------------- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.+++ Diagnosed with Lyme in 2005. Suffered for years before that. Still treating/fighting it. Son diagnosed with Lyme and Babesia in 2007. Son diagnosed with Asperger's in 2011. Posts: 40 | From Maryland | Registered: Jun 2008
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scorpiogirl
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posted
Hi I have the Hickman line so I'm not sure if it's similar. Anyway, my cap didn't fall off but my LLMD tossed it out by accident when she was flushing my line! Since she didn't have a spare, she wrapped it up w/ the Tegaderm tape until I got the replacement cap. As long as the line is locked and no air goes in I think you should be fine.
I personally would not sit in the ER on a Friday night. Your assessment that your situation is low on the list of priority is correct. I was in the ER twice for Hickman line site bleeding and Hickman line clot and both times I waited for HOURS before hubby said well unless we can make you gushing blood we'll have to keep on waiting!! Now I just page my Infusion Nurse on call and if I'm not dying I'm not going to the ER!
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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posted
It was more than just the cap that came off, it was the part that attaches the cap to the line... the tiny part that inserts into the line came right out, so the line was completely open to air.
-------------------- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.+++ Diagnosed with Lyme in 2005. Suffered for years before that. Still treating/fighting it. Son diagnosed with Lyme and Babesia in 2007. Son diagnosed with Asperger's in 2011. Posts: 40 | From Maryland | Registered: Jun 2008
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scorpiogirl
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Member # 31907
posted
Oh ic... then that's a different story. Can you call anyone to ask them if the line is locked and cap head gone can air still get in? B/c now you have to worry about infection and air embolism no?
I just thought you meant the cap at the tip! Sorry!
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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posted
Air isn't a problem - I put the cap back in and drew some blood out (nurse talked me through it), then flushed it.
But, yes, concern for possible infection.
I'm in a watch and wait mode. I'll head to the ER later rather than sooner, unless things change for the worse.
-------------------- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.+++ Diagnosed with Lyme in 2005. Suffered for years before that. Still treating/fighting it. Son diagnosed with Lyme and Babesia in 2007. Son diagnosed with Asperger's in 2011. Posts: 40 | From Maryland | Registered: Jun 2008
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scorpiogirl
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Oh ok. Good luck hun!
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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ktkdommer
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Member # 29020
posted
My son's PICC cracked yesterday and then the cap fell off at 2:40 AM. He had it replaced today at the hospital. It wasn't an option for him. Good luck to you!
-------------------- Things are never dull. After 3 fighting Lyme, 2 are in remission. Youngest is still sick, age 22. He has new diagnosed Chiari Malformation and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. Posts: 1366 | From Perrysburg, Ohio | Registered: Nov 2010
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sammy
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Member # 13952
posted
It is an infection risk. Try to have it removed ASAP.
It's a nice spring day, the ER will be empty this afternoon. Your insurance should cover the removal because the line is broken and considered an immediate health threat.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Well, I've made it through the weekend without any symptoms of sepsis. I did spend the entire day sleeping and feeling like crud, but that's typical for a Flagyl weekend (I take it Friday - Sunday and always feel awful by Sun.)
I'll head to the ER in the middle of the day sometime this week when it's not likely to be as crowded. I'm still annoyed that my doc won't just refer me to a surgeon.
-------------------- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.+++ Diagnosed with Lyme in 2005. Suffered for years before that. Still treating/fighting it. Son diagnosed with Lyme and Babesia in 2007. Son diagnosed with Asperger's in 2011. Posts: 40 | From Maryland | Registered: Jun 2008
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sammy
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posted
I'm worried for you. Please try to get the line pulled as soon as you can. Sepsis is a serious life threatening infection. It would be a major stress on your body, it would most definitely set you back. That would be so awful because it sounds like you are doing better.
If ER is not an option for you, get your doctor to write an order for home health care to come remove the PICC. Or get an order for the outpatient services center in the hospital.
Sorry if I sound pushy, I'm just concerned. I don't want you to get sick from this.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Dogsandcats
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posted
Hate to put pressure on too, but I would get it pulled. Not to sound insensitive to others pain, but I have waited until I thought an "off time" at the ER and have a 20 car pile up br brought in. A good time in the ER is an oxymoron.
You will make all the mother hens on this forum rest better.
God bless.
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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