I read a woman's story where she said that the catheter went into her arm and the tube threaded all the way up close to her shoulder. Do they do this all the time?
Will I be able to work if it's covered up? I teach severely disabled kids, so I alternate sitting, standing and walking all day. I also have to run after one kid who is an escape artist and likes us to chase him.
You can't bend the arm that it's on, can you? That might be a problem because I am cross-handed, meaning some things I can only do with my left hand and others with my right hand. So I would be impaired either way.
Also, my students have a lot of runny noses, they drool a lot, etc. and unless I'm in a bubble I'm going to be exposed to a lot of germs. Will the covering protect me from all that?
I HAVE to work, I support my children on my own and nobody's going to do it for me.
Posted by penguingirl (Member # 28688) on :
You should be fine as long as you don't have to lift any weight (ie over 5lbs) or do repetitive motion (like swinging a golf club).
I think the biggest pain is not getting it wet. So if it's a rainy day make sure to bring a rain coat and don't shower without a rubber sleeve cover to protect it from moisture. Moisture can create germs and then you can get an infection.
As long as you are infusing in a sterile manner (ie alcohol wipes before flushing, infusing, etc) you should be fine. I would probably pick a time when you are not in school to be infusing though so you can infuse in peace. Just do it at the same time every 24 hours.
Try to get the catheter inserted as high up on your bicep as possible - that way it will not get in the way of your elbow area.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
You should be able to work with the PICC line. Just keep it covered and that will protect it from curious kid hands.
Posted by penguingirl (Member # 28688) on :
I use the Tubifast bandage (blue line as my bicep is around 9 inches wide).
I am loving that picc line cover thanks to Sammy's help! I ordered from Allegromedical.com.
I have a long extension line so I cut a smallish tubifast piece and put that under the line which adds a layer of protection on your skin from the line rubbing against your skin. Then I fold it over the extension line that I have curled up.
Then I cut another tube piece that is much longer so that it covers the extension area and the picc site (so elbow to upper arm). I would think that would be secure enough from curious kids. Also the weather will be cooler soon so you can just wear a long sleeve shirt too to conceal hat you have a picc line.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
You should be fine but don't over do it. I ironed and the next day it was in a lot of pain!
I had two Picc lines placed one up close to my armpit and now btw my armpit and the bend of my elbow. This position is much more comfortable for me than having it up way up my armpit! Having it high got in the way every time I closed my armpit! Very annoying! Of course having it lower, shows more and a little more painful to place since the wire has to travel a few inches further. But that's just me. I don't like things rubbing up against my side.
Posted by coffee71 (Member # 17467) on :
I have worked full time during my IV treatment (two years), I have had to work. Of course no lifting heavy things.
I did not have big issues with PICC line and work, but my issue was herxing.
During the worst flare ups I had to call out, but I have been covered by intermittent FMLA,doctors notes and my managers have had understanding for what I was going trough.
Good luck.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Being around little kids with a PICC line would terrify me!!
Posted by ladycakes (Member # 12619) on :
I've worked a few different jobs with a PICC in, and never had a problem with it.
The desk job was obviously not too much of a problem, but I also worked as a veterinary technician. I just made sure not to lift any big dogs with that arm, and to not get it wet, and I was fine.
I actually started the vet tech job the day after I got the PICC placed.