They said at the LLMD office that it would start feeling like it would become like a part of my arm and I would barely know it was there.
It was put in last Tuesday, five days ago and it's still just as sore and tender as the first day. The line goes in just below the crook of my arm and it hurts all the way up to my shoulder.
Just wondering if others experienced this same thing and how long before the pain subsides?
Thanks
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
Hi.. Guess what.I got on here after my Port was inserted and it had been a week and it was so upset it still hurt and was so sore.
Everyone calmed me and said it will take a good two weeks.
I will say that it has taken at least two weeks and then after that every day it gets better. It has now been 5 weeks and I finally can stretch out my arm and shoulder and kinda sleep normal.
Its going to take longer than the impression they give you at the hosptial.
Of course if you get redness or puss or anything that looks wrong or feels wrong get it checked out.
I even after week one was having my heart feel like it would be stabbed and palpatate and then i would have to readjust myself to get it relievd.
They sent me for xrays and double check placement and everything was fine.
They said i was just ultra sensitive to it. yeah thats is me.. But when we have something that close to our hearts you can not be too careful.
My mother got hers (Picc) a few weeks ago and is still getting used to it.
Give it timee.. You will cross a day somewhere between a week and two where then it will be obvious you are on the other side of healing and you will feel better about it.
Good Luck I hope it helped.
Posted by Connieaag (Member # 15199) on :
Daughter got hers Sept 28th. It was sore and bruised at the first dressing change. Then by the second change, just bruised. Now at almost 3 weeks, she doesn't complain about it hurting and the bruising has gone away. There is a little blood at the incision point since the dog jumped up on her when she was infusing! No harm doen though, just at first when it pulled out a hair.
Do you have something over it when not in use to sort of support it? She has been using nylon stocking pieces that we cut to about 10". That at least gives the line a little support so it doesn't flop around and they aren't too tight on her arm.
Posted by xoxoxox (Member # 18778) on :
Thanks for the assurances, spring showers & Connieaag.
Connie- they did give me a mesh stocking thing but it feels very itchy. The bandage adhesives are itchy enough so I stopped using the stocking and just taped the extra tubing down. A long sleeve shirt keeps it covered. How is your daughter doing at this stage with her medication?
springshowers- Now that you have been receiving the IV treatments, how are you feeling at this stage? Have had any herxs?
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Hang in there Danni, it will get better. Mine started feeling better at about 5days. Now it only bothers me if I lift or push too much, position it weird, hold my arm out too long, anything like that.
Have you tried applying a warm compress to the site? That really helped me with the pain and inflammation.
Also, if you like the stretchy cover they gave you in the hospital, you can purchase more like it at CVS. It comes in a box called "Elastic Stretch Net tubular dressing holder". I like to use it because it's breathable and it keeps the tubes in place.
When i'm out in public I cover the site with coban or an ace bandage. Others use cut off socks or stockings. Now that winter is coming you won't have to worry about what your cover looks like since you'll be wearing long sleeves.
Take care:)
Posted by LymedOut (Member # 22351) on :
I bought a cloth picc line cover off of the Internet and it is nice. It fits snug enough, but not too snug. I don't have my picc line in yet but I can let you all know how the cover works. The girl that makes them is an RN. Mine is black with a liitle kitty on it that I requested. If anyone needs the site info, let me know. I paid $12.00 for it.
Posted by keltyl (Member # 14050) on :
Mine was only sore for about a week. Now it depends on which nurse changes the bandage. With one it doesn't bother me at all and with the other, it tends to bother me more.
I had some bleeding that took me to ER a few weeks ago, then just a little at the site. Now I am having hardly any.
Cut off men's tube socks work best for me!
Posted by Bheiser (Member # 21333) on :
You can just cutt off the toe portions of a sock and the elbow fits right in it! Mine hurt foe a week then I put ice on t and it felt better. Just look for signs of infection. Itching under the dressing is common but nit a sign. Just an fyi
Posted by xoxoxox (Member # 18778) on :
Thanks for the encouragement and the tips everyone.
My arm was a little less sore today and hopefully, it will continue to ease.
Posted by Bheiser (Member # 21333) on :
every day it gets better just try not to keep your arm above your head for extended periods of time.
If you can have your dressing changed twice a week, that would be much better than what I had which was once a week.
Try the sock. Mens dress socks seem to feel the best.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
I find that I have to be MUCH more careful with the arm than I anticipated. If I cough too hard, use the arm much, stretch too much, etc, it really bothers me along the whole length of the arm.
And it hurts for a while after a dressing change. It's a challenge, but it's a means to an end!