I'm seeing my doc and I know she's going to mention me getting a PICC line.
I'm terrified of getting one. I have a lot of allergies (for example: I'm allergic to rocephin and the only med it seems I can use is doxycycline for Lyme because I'm allergic to the others).
Can babesia meds be done through a PICC line? If so, which ones?
Are quinolones done in the US (a friend had them in India and it helped)?
I'm allergic to medical tape, metals and a lot of other materials. What do they use in these things?
Can you sleep on your side with the needle?
Can you take a bath?
Any other concerns I should bring up?
I have VERY sensitive skin and get rashes/bruises/ swelling easily.
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
It's not all that bad getting one. IV Clindamycin is used for Babesia. Zithromax can be done IV, Cipro also and is a quinolone.
Tegaderm is used to cover the site and gets changed weekly. The first dressing change is done the day after insertion, then weekly.
The needle isn't left in. A thin tube is threaded over a guide wire and the wire is removed leaving the tube. No metal.
You can sleep in any position. The first few days it may be sore but not bad.
I took baths as I was too dizzy to shower. I wore a glove on that arm that went above my bicep. They're gloves farmers use? I used an elastic hair band to hold it up.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks, that is helpful.
Is there anything like malarone that can be done though a PICC?
I'm allergic to ...mycins and zithromax. I haven't tried quinolones.
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
Not that I'm aware of.
Maybe try quinolones orally first. I think IV Doxy would have killed me if I hadn't done it orally first. Just a thought.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- I never got IV but was preparing to so at one point. I recall this advice.
A glove for bathing -
Get the gloves (you may need a special kind if any allergy), Two FREEZER ZIP LOCKS (thicker, best quality) could make a mitten of sorts.
hypoallergenic tapes, etc. FIRST. Test them out to make sure you can handle them before you really need them.
try to put some clean cotton or linen fabric in first (get a bigger glove if needed). This can help prevent some sweating and salt irritation.
Only cotton or linen will work, though. And it should have no "finishing" agent to it.
Synthetic fabrics will not absorb, only make things hotter.
Keep water on the tepid side so there is as little sweating as possible. Practice BEFORE you have the IV in. That way, it will be easier when it's for real (or so it would seem). -
Posted by ladycakes (Member # 12619) on :
I've had six PICC lines placed, and they're not as bad as you'd think.
I'm not allergic to latex or tape or anything, but I'm sensitive to it, and it does get itchy. You can totally sleep on it. I continued working as a veterinary technician with the line in, I've also traveled internationally with it in. You get used to it.
For bathing, the first few I taped Saran Wrap to my arm. Then I found Xero-Sox - they're amazing. Way easier.
That might answer some of your questions!
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Thanks Ladycakes! Very informative. Posted by Notti (Member # 43843) on :
If you are allergic to the 3M Tegaderm dressing, you can try an alternative like IV3000 by Smith&Nephew, which is often better tolerated.
There is another one called Tegaderm +Pad which is also milder to the skin, in my experience. There is however a pad in the middle so the exit site can't be visually inspected through the dressing, which may be against the protocol of your hospital/home care organisation.
The Statlock device which is most frequently used to secure the PICC-line to your arm, can also cause an allergic reaction, but this one is harder to replace, since there are hardly any alternatives. There is one device called Grip-Lok by a different manufacturer, but it is also an adhesive.
The only other alternative is to use sutures to keep the PICC-line in place, but that can cause complications like inflammation, which you really want to avoid close to the exit wound. They say it can be quite uncomfortable as well, because the line does tend to 'pull' a bit with certain movements.
You can try using a spray called 3M Cavilon before applying the adhesive (do cover the exit site with a sterile gauze before spraying). It can help to protect the skin.
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