posted
It was not sutured, and I couldn't manage that statlock thing myself, so it has gradually been sliding out. Don't think it is in the vein anymore.
When a previous one was pulled in a radiologist office, it was really nothing. So is there any reason why I can't just do this myself? The alternative is the emergency dept at local hospital and I don't want to make a lot of explanations.
But I have to have pulsed IV, so the problem after this one is finding someone who will order a new PICC. Without going cross country again.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
lou, I am sorry you have having problems with your PICC. I would have it checked so you know for sure if there is a problem or not.
posted
How far out is it? Maybe it is still usable. I would think the important thing is that it still reaches at least to the subclavian vein.
Google some images for picc line.
-------------------- Son, 26, Dx Lyme 4/10, Babs 8/10 Had serious arthritis, all gone. Currently on Valtrex Daughter, 26,bullseye 7/11 arthritis in knees, cured and off all meds. . Self:Lyme, bart, sxs gone, no longer treating. Posts: 496 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
Not a chance it reaches the subclavian vein. It has been operating as a midline or even less for quite a while.
Any IV nurses out there to tell me if there is any risk in pulling it myself? In radiologist office, they just pulled it out gently. Put cotton, then bandaid on it. Didn't check it with any sort of machine afterwards.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
No! Absolutely not. Ithere is potential for embolism if not done. Correctly.
Sorry bout typos....on cell phone but had to resond to,this
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Lou, I agree with Philly78. One potential for air embolism. Another is potential for PICC to break and cause a catheter embolism. Or your vein can spasm and the PICC can stuck in your vein. I know it is a pain and seems easy enough, but safety is a priority. And also risk of infection.
I don't think the ER will make a big deal, just say you noticed the line came out and realize it needs to be pulled. You don't have to say how long you have been using it like this. Just stress to them you want to be safe and have it checked out by a medical professional (this should work, and avoid potential questions/comments on their end).
PICC should also be measured after pulling to make sure the length is the same as when they inserted it. (you should of gotten a card or told the length when it was inserted usually in cm).
If you cannot find that information, then as long as the tip looks like it is cut even, and not jagged it should be ok.
Grace
Posts: 27 | From central nj | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Thanks for your replies. I found the card and it says the line is 40 cm long, so it is still halfway in, and could still be considered midline length. The thing that worried me was that when I flushed it with heparin the last time, it felt different, so I assumed the line was done for.
Not sure what to do. If I go to the emergency room and ask to have them make sure it is still in the vein, there will be endless questions and they may say a midline won't substitute for a PICC. But I am not infusing anything caustic. Maybe I can still use it? I hate being a medical leper.
No home health care, if you are wondering. Impossible to arrange with out of state doctor. I was taught to change dressing, infuse by myself early on by a nurse.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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payne
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26248
posted
lou.., I am so sorry, I haven't paid much attention to your illness.. I was thinking you were done with Lyme and hanging around to lend a hand.. Forgive me for saying you need more work in the sucesstories..): Lord, Reach down with your Love and guide lou to a answer in this ... I feel it gets to a cry wolf effect when we have to get to ER.. how many times do we have to sort out the hassle vs our very being.. I myself sat last night all night with do i die or do i go to ER and let them have their way with me as my center back, liver, digestive system shuts down, i make my peace with the Lord daily... Lou, May The Lord grant you the strenght to do this again... bring Lou the courage to stand again in finding the way for healing to grab hold.. Amen... wayne
-------------------- TULAREMIA/rabbit fever ? Posts: 1931 | From mid-michigan | Registered: Jun 2010
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ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29020
posted
Lou: My son had a PICC line fall out in his sleep after new nurse didn't put stat lock on right. No one seemed concerned. I tried for 2 days to find anyone on a weekend who could put another in. Hardly anyone touches PICC's anymore but docs in xray M-F.
Our out of state doc just faxes in the order for PICC repair. No problems. 100% paid by insurance. We are VERY fortunate to have nurse care and they will come anytime.
I am not a nurse, just sharing my experience. I hope you get the care you need.
-------------------- 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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posted
Kari, when you say PICC repair, do you mean replacing one PICC with another one?
In the state where I used to live, the home health care people would not take orders from any out of state doctors. I assumed the hospital, radiologists would be the same in the state I moved to last year.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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Even though half of the line is out it is still the length of a central line. Also the line is compromised because half is out (no longer sterile).
What happened with the heparin? Any pain? Instead of a stat lock, maybe steri strips?
Trust me if you go to the ER and ask if you can use it as a midline they will say no, and they will pull it.
Just say the line migrated out last night in your sleep. They won't know the difference.
They can't do a "repair". What they can do is an exchange, where they measure a new PICC at 40 cm, cut the current PICC line, put a guide wire through the PICC, pull the old PICC out over the wire, and thread the new one in over the guide wire. X ray for placement. I am not sure if you need an order for this. Most likely you do.
The risk of line infection is greater because the line is out 20 cm.
PM me if you want.
Grace
Posts: 27 | From central nj | Registered: Mar 2011
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
I wouldnt do it. I have placed and pulled many central lines in animals and I still wouldnt do it unless I HAD no choice. I believe that they also routinely culture the tip so you would miss out on that.
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
I don't really have a choice. It is either use this line, if it still works, or have it pulled.
My plan now is try the line again on Monday, see if it seems to be working. If not, then go to ER and have it pulled. And maybe pretend that I am deaf so I don't have to answer any questions.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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scorpiogirl
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posted
Maybe I'm dense but what questions can they possibly ask that would make you so uncomfortable to even consider pulling out your line at home?? I mean they can ask whatever they want, but you don't have to say anything if you don't want. If it's half way out they have to pull the line. Put your health first, who cares what anyone thinks.
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Bummer lou. I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems with your PICC.
Do you know if there are any freestanding interventional radiology offices in your area? I've found that they are more willing to work with out of state doctors when my local hospital refuses their orders.
I also can't help but wonder if a port might be more appropriate for you. It would probably be easier for you to care for it yourself. And it could stay in place for several years. No worries of it sliding out of place!
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29020
posted
Lou- yeah, PICC line repair is a nice way to tell my son, instead of the freaking of getting another one. He has had 3 crack and one fall out. Bad luck!
The hospital takes orders from out of town docs, not an uncommon thing. I do believe you are right about the home care though that the pediatrician rewrites the orders for us. It is automatically done now.
-------------------- 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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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Dr. B does not recommend PICC repair. Also, no way would I pull the line alone. JMHO.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
wow, i would never do that too big of a coward....
my husband once smashed his finger. it was black and really swollen. that guy picked up a drill, didn't clean it off, and drilled a hole in his finger and nail to reduce the swelling.
he didn't even have the nerve to get an infection.....couldn't believe it....cleared right up...
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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I pulled mine myself, very slow and easy and held pressure once the line was out with sterile guaze, then applied a sterile dressing with a tegaderm covering for 24-48 hours.
the down side is usually they will want to culture the tip of the catheter which you will not be able to have done.
If the line has been in place awhile, dont be alarmed at the fibrin material probably adhered to the tip. If the line is out that far, I would be concerned with leaving it in case of sepsis. You could aspirate on a sterile syringe and see if you infact have a blood return.
Best wishes
Posts: 747 | From Utah | Registered: Apr 2010
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penguingirl
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posted
Lou- were you able to flush the line today? I hope you can get your PICC line fixed!
-------------------- Posts: 1204 | From USA | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Lou-I had blood sepsis from a picc line and almost died because they could not identify the infection. Please go to the ER and have them remove it if you haven't already. Your life is not worth the inconvenience of running a new one and it doesn't sound like that one is "right".
Best wishes
Posts: 114 | From New York | Registered: Jun 2009
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payne
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 26248
posted
lou, I beg your pardon, I got you and another lou in the same thought... Sorry, you are so sick and God Knows the lou you are and I ask Him to cleanse your wound and bring forth a healing in it... Please, find a little joy in your day..wayne
-------------------- TULAREMIA/rabbit fever ? Posts: 1931 | From mid-michigan | Registered: Jun 2010
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posted
Lou, I agree with wendihk...please go to ER. My daughter had a picc line that fell out about 18 inches when home nurse was sloppy. She had to be put on stat abx and was sent to hospital to have it replaced.
So sorry you're dealing with this.
Posts: 677 | From Virginia | Registered: Sep 2002
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ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29020
posted
Give us an update when you can?
My son's PICC just cracked for the 4th time yesterday. We have decided to pull it after 10 months and see what happens. The nurse is getting orders to pull it.
He will stay the course on treatment and add oral ceftin to the mix in place of IV rocephin.
I hope you have answers by now.
-------------------- 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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posted
Yes, it flushed. But I don't think I have much more time with this line and don't know where to go for another one. Since I don't really have a doctor, no options for having ER do anything but remove it. IV is the only thing that works for me.
I appreciate so much all the replies I got. Makes me feel less alone with problems.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Lou, please do get this removed, so you don't run the risk of sepsis.
Isn't there a dr you could go back to, hopefully not across the country, who could order a new line? Even if they are out of state? But find out first if a certain place will take the out of state orders.
I agree about a port, except for one thing: it would be tough to access yourself. Possible maybe, but tough. That means place the new Huber needle in the port each week. You could remove it ok (I do it), and change the dressing. Possibly access yourself, but not so easy. Unless you knew a nurse that would do it for you (someone who knows how---not all nurses have this skill).
You do need IV, no question! Let us know what happens. Don't risk sepsis!
It's so wrong that it should be so difficult to get a dr to rx it, have a place take out of state orders, etc. Sigh.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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ktkdommer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29020
posted
Lou- what state are you in.
A nurse is coming today to remove my son's cracked PICC. We will monitor him for 2 weeks until his 8/8 appointment and see how he does.
Last time he lost a PICC line he was so bad within 2 days without IV Rocephin. I don't want to repeat that.
I now have extra supplies if you need anything PM me.
I sure with it would get easier for you. Hang in there!
-------------------- 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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posted
Unless you want to risk an infection/sepsis.
Years back my PICC line became infected because the visiting nurse skipped a couple of visits and I decided to do the line cleaning myself thinking how tough can it really be???
Two days later I was in the ER with serious infection/sepsis. Do not mess with it unless you are a medical professional.
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