posted
The top of the PICC where the extension screws on has a crack. ): It leaks. Someone probably screwed the extension on too tight at some point and made it crack.
Anyone ever have this problem? I love my PICC line. It works so well. I hate I'm having this problem with it.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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hiker53
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 6046
posted
You might have to get a new one.
Don't risk infection.
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 8890 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
I'm sure I will need a new one. This one was so hard to get. ): maybe I should try for a port.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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bluelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 47170
posted
Port was a real commitment to illness/wellness but its nice to unplug and pretend im normal...my brother called it my dune attachment .totally freaks out my significant other
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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posted
I just watched a video of a port being inserted. Yikes! I don't think my body can take the trauma of a minor surgery. I had a heart monitor inserted, and I think it was probably a similar procedure. Not sure I can go through that again right now.
How was it for you blue?
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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posted
I'm sorry Sam, but you should ask your doctor for advice as soon as possible. If the hub is cracked there is a risk for infection or air embolism and if the hub breaks you have an acute situation. In all probability you need to have it replaced. Make sure to keep the clamp closed, just to be safe.
Posts: 109 | From The Netherlands | Registered: May 2014
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posted
Thanks Notti. My line doesn't have a clamp actually. It has an internal valve instead. Luckily it looks like the crack is above the valve (I hope anyway).
Right now the leaked vancomycin has kinda dried up and crusted over the crack and plugged it up, so it's not leaking at the moment. (I know, that's bad).
I'll call my nurse tomorrow. This is all so depressing. I fight so hard every day, and things like this just make it so much harder. I'm so tired.
posted
I know, it's tough. Keep the faith that there are better days to come and keep fighting. You will find a solution.
Posts: 109 | From The Netherlands | Registered: May 2014
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
So sorry Sick Sam. I would get that looked at ASAP. It is not worth the risk. Maybe there is something else that can be done to keep current picc line in.
Please keep us posted. I have a picc line now too and it is so nerve wracking, worrying all the time about infection. Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Thank y'all. I wish I could just dab some super-glue on there, but I'll refrain from that.
Dbpei, I've been so careful about minimizing infection risk and so far so good. My line has been in about 3 months I think.
I use "swabcaps" on the end of my line to keep it germ-free. It's just a screw-on alcohol cap you keep on your line when it's not being used. I highly recommend these things, it's a great infection prevention measure. You can google "SwabFlush" to see exactly what I use.
I also use sterile surgical gloves every time I use the line. Overkill I know, but as I always like to say, "better safe than dead!" I found them online for about 50 cents a pair.
I always worry about the thing getting malpositioned or causing clots or breaking off in my body. It really is very nerve-wracking. I can't wait to get this thing out.
I'm getting a rife machine, recommended by my doc. I'm really hopeful that maybe it'll work better and safer than these IV abx.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Sorry to hear about your broken PICC line. You didn't get to try IV antibiotics for very long.
Hopefully the Rife treatment will work out better for you so you'll start to feel better soon.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
I'm so sorry to hear this! When I had a PICC line, it developed a leak after I had had it not too long. Anyway, get it looked at pronto. You don't want to risk infection. Most likely you do need another line---sorry!
I got a port after that, and I was very glad I did. I had to fight for one for a whole year! A port is so reliable for years.
I hope it all goes well, whatever you decide. It wasn't too bad to have it put in (for me). But you know your body better than anyone else. This is a bumpy road to be sure.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Thank y'all. (: I think I'll try for another PICC. I thought I was careful with this one. Guess I'll just be super careful with the next one.
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Rumigirl
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Member # 15091
posted
It wasn't your fault. But if what you said was the issue, ask the nurses to be careful of not screwing the clave on too tight.
Strangely enough, recently, my IV nurse screwed on my hydration line so tightly that my husband had to get a wrench to unscrew it!! It would not unscrew any other way! Was I ever glad I wasn't alone. No way could I have handled this with the neuropathy in my hands.
(He used a clean pair of gloves between it, so the wrench wouldn't make the line dirty).
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Don't mess around, get it looked at pronto by a doc/nurse.
I had to get a picc pulled and one placed in my other arm. It was a bummer, but you don't want an infection caused by a device that goes straight into your heart.
Posts: 133 | From North Shore | Registered: Sep 2015
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posted
Wow Rumi, a wrench! Now that's a tight line.
Neko, ugh, you're giving me anxiety! But in a good way. I gotta remember this thing could really be dangerous for my heart. I actually needed the reminder, so thanks for that.
I've been calling our local "PICC team" for three days now. No one will call me back. You'd think they'd be all over a leaking PICC line.
In the meantime, I'm wrapping the crack in sterile gauze to help keep germs away.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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bluelyme
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posted
Hope you get this handled ..can you get a port ordered ?
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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posted
I think I'm gonna try for another PICC or maybe a midline. Midlines are so easy, they just don't last very long.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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bluelyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 47170
posted
Port is like a midline inplanted ..plus or minus some hubor needles .still wishing you luck .you are a gee
-------------------- Blue Posts: 1539 | From southwest | Registered: Dec 2015
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Midlines are nothing like Ports!!!
A port is surgically implanted. It is a much greater commitment. You only need a port if you will be on IV's for several years. Otherwise, you should get a PICC line.
A PICC line can easily last over a year if well taken care of. They are much more appropriate for most Lyme patients as IV antibiotics are temporary treatments.
Only those that need IVIG for lifetime should really get a port.
Midlines are not comparable to ports. They are not a central line. Not all meds can be infused through Midlines. They are shorter. Therefore, they clot off easier and are not salvageable. They tend to last at max between 2- 6 weeks.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
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posted
An Interventional Radiologist can place PICC lines. Ask your doctor to send new orders to the hospital for this since the PICC line department has not responded yet.
I've had PICCs placed both ways by certified PICC/ IV Therapy RN's and Interventional Radiologists. I now prefer to have them done by the Interventional Radiologist. It was a quicker, less uncomfortable procedure.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
Since the PICC team never responded, I got my home health nurse to call my doc (my doc never responds either). It took three phone calls, but she finally got orders to remove my PICC and new orders for me to take to our PICC team for a new one to be put in
I love my home health nurse! She takes good care of me.
Our PICC team at the local hospital are RNs. I love them, they're fabulous. So far they've put in two PICCs and two midlines for me. Very quick and good at what they do. Just not sure why I was having such a hard time getting them to respond this time.
dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
I wish I could go weekly for dressing changes to the hospital that inserted my picc line. When I called my LLNP's office yesterday to ask about this (my insurance is going to stop covering on 12/10) they acted like they never heard of this before .
SickSam, did you run into any resistance like this before getting local hospital picc team help covered?
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I never have any trouble getting any hospital treatment covered, PICC care included. I am fighting to get the IV abx covered though.
My nurse says a lot of people change their own dressing. She said she actually learned how to do it in a room full of patients and their families who were learning how to do it. If I weren't too sick to go have my blood drawn every week, I'd probably change the dressing myself (or let my wife do it). It's nice to have my nurse come draw my blood every week though.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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dbpei
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Member # 33574
posted
I don't know how anyone could remove and place the statlock without an extra pair of hands... But it must be great if you learn that you can do your own dressing changes and have confidence that things are being done correctly!
Posts: 2386 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I've actually watched people on YouTube doing it. Tricky, but possible! Really though, my wife would probably be the one to do to it.
Posts: 748 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2015
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Rumigirl
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posted
So did you get the PICC removed, I hope?? It has been worrisome to hear about this issue not being responded to for so long---dangerous!
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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