Not quite sure what exactly a picc line is (talk like you're speaking to a small child).
Who has worked while on IV and what do you do?
If I haven't been on a gluten free diet, why should I even explore the IV option?
I have more questions, can't think of them now.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
You can have a temporary catheter that is good for 5 days.or they canstick you everytime you need meds using a butterfly. The problem with that is that your veins get unhappy the more they get poked. I would use a picc line. what about IM Bicillin?
Posted by momofthree (Member # 19490) on :
My daughter and i both use IV rocephin. I have a pic line. They put it in at the hospital. I have never had problems with it at all. Easy to use and keep up. I have the bandage changed every week.
It is like a tiny plastic tube that goes from the middle of my upper arm to someone inside me by the heart. I can not feel it any more but did feel it for about a week in the beginning. I have an extension that is changed every week.
This makes it long enough for me to reach it to get my medicine in. My daughter, 20, is really tiny. We had her pic line put in but within a week we noticed a lump. Wound up that her veins are too tiny to have a pic line in so they took it out and put in a herkman cathater, sp?,
This in right in her chest. Same tiny tube and then one blue port sticks out. She has her bandage changed once a week too. Since the switch she has had no problems. The IV meds made all the difference to us.
Please don't worry too much. You get use to it really fast. We have had ours since Dec., Jan. Good luck.
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
Carly,
I have a PICC line, but I am not working. I got too sick to work. I just got my PICC line 3 weeks ago.
A PICC line is actually a Peripherially Inserted Central Catheter. It is inserted in your arm in the same method they use for Heart Catheters, except the heart cath goes in your leg, the PICC line goes in your arm.
This line is inserted into your arm (between your elbow and shoulder on the inner side of your arm), my line is right beside my right breast.
If you are working, you can wear shirt sleeves and cover the bandage up, but the shirts will have to be almost to your elbows to do that. Also the medication comes in a new antigravity ball, and you don't have to drag a bag around anymore, making it much easier to tolerate while working.
This line caused me pain the first 3-4 days. Not terrible pain, but more of an inconvenience and uncomfortable type of pain. But, this line is placed inside the artery in your arm and it is long enough that the line is threaded through your artery under the arm pit, until it is about 2 inches from the heart.
There are 2 other options for IV meds.
A Peripheral Heparin Lock, which I had at first and was on my hand, could also be placed in the forearm (but my veins weren't good enough). Requires a lot more poking and prodding. This line has to be changed every 5-7 days, and like was mentioned above tends to upset your veins.
There is also something called a Port Line, which is placed under the skin in your chest area, right above the heart. This does need a minor incision (about quarter size) and has to have an incision to be removed as well.
For me, the PICC line has not been a lot of trouble. The most trouble is trying not to get it wet when I shower. I wrap it with Glad Cling and Seal and put rubber bands at the top of the wrap and the bottom of the wrap. I still try not to put it directly under the water. I got it wet last week and had to have an extra dressing change.
Good luck!!
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
merrygirl, he did mention bicillin. He only mentioned it, though. Then he suggested IV rocephin. He thinks it may just give me the push I need to make some real progress.
mom: that's very helpful, thanks for sharing. I'm sure it's one of those things that sounds worse than it is.
I know, I'm making it sound like this is the first I've ever heard of IV meds as a treatment option, but I'm trying to figure if I should try it.
One of my big questions is who has maintained employment while on IV? and what kind of work did you do?
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
Thanks, needs- great explanations and just what I was looking for with regard to detail!
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
Another question: If I am questioning how I will work while on IV, do I really need IV if I can work?
Posted by maudy grunch (Member # 25864) on :
I have had a "power port" for over a year now and am really glad I have it.
The power port is above my right breast and is noticeable, but not horribly noticeable. It's about as large as a nickel and about as high as a large hive would be.
It took about an hour to have it inserted and had to sleep in a lounge chair that night (to stay upright). My neck hurt like crazy for that first night only.
A nurse has to be "certified" to be able to use the port. It's more for the correct procedure because it's really easy to access and the pain is only like a quick pin prick (like getting your finger pricked for blood).
I have a condition that requires regular phlebotomies (blood letting) and my veins are small and fragile. The port has been wonderful. No more bruises and painful needle sticks.
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