posted
I just got a picc line a week ago. Tonight, I can't get medicine, heparin, or saline to go through. I called the home health company and they're sending someone out tomorrow with medicine that is supposed to un-clog it.
Has this happened to anyone else?
It feels weird thinking that it could be clotted up. The nurse that I talked to on the phone didn't seem to be alarmed though, and says that the purple tubes are notorious for getting stuck. Why do these things always happen at 10:00 at night when no one is available to come out and fix it?
momlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 27775
posted
I hate to say something so obvious... but this happened to me one time. I thought my son's picc line was clogged and the lock was on. I was in a bit of a panic and then I figured it out.
Does it have a pincher for the line that could possibly be closed?
-------------------- May health be with you!
Toxic mold was suppressing our immune systems, causing extreme pain, brain fog and magnifying symptoms. Four days after moving out, the healing began. Posts: 2007 | From NY/VT Border | Registered: Aug 2010
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posted
Yes, thank you for checking, but they were both unlocked. I wish it were that.
The first shot of saline went in a little slow but fine, then the abx did not go in at all, and then I tried both saline and heparin and I could barely force some heparin in, but not much.
Posts: 453 | From TX | Registered: Aug 2008
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blinkie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 14470
posted
I've had two PICC lines over the past year and this happens to me a lot. More in the beginning. Your body automatically creates a fibrin sheath around the foreign invader.
A little cath flo will fix the problem. No need to be worried.
Posts: 1104 | From N.California | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
Thanks Blinkie!! That is what the nurse told me today too. Makes me feel so much better!
Posts: 453 | From TX | Registered: Aug 2008
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