On Thursday I'll be getting in either a picc line or a port a cath (under my skin in my chest area) for my IV antibiotics.

Any input?? Anyone use either??

I can only share my experience. I had a PICC line in 2002 - worked fine and was easy enough to get used to although the placement was difficult because I ended up being allergic to the contrast dye they had to use to see my veins for placement. Now I have a port-a-cath, though, and I have to say that I absolutely LOVE my port.

I think the decision should be based on a few things:

1) Are you going to be on IV antibiotics for a long time (longer than 4 months)?

2) Are you doing antibiotic infusions 7 days a week or are you pulsing them with some days off?

3) Do you need to have unrestricted use of your arms?

I chose to get a port-a-cath over a PICC line because last summer I knew I was going to be pulsing Rocephin (4 days a week on, 3 days off) and I knew it was going to be for at least 3 months and most likely much longer (it ended up only being 2.5 months because of complications but I've kept my port in and I'm using it now for other IV infusions everyday).

Here are some previous posts with information about ports and PICCs.

Port-a-Cath (catheter)

Central Line Catheters

Portacath vs PICC vs Mid-line

Secrets for living with PICC line

Port or PICC

Arm Ports

Questions about ports

I hope those help you with the decision. I'm happy to share any other info that you'd be interested in about my own experiences and tips for ports and PICCs.

Peace and healing,
Annie

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I liked my PICC as I discussed with you. Port a cath I think means no swimming or baths and that would have been very hard for me. And it sounds like it would be hard for you too.

To those who use the port-a-cath...how long did it take to get used to the shots (as far as them not hurting??)

To both port and picc users...what did you notice with it in? Could you feel it? How was sleeping?

I think I will be on IVs for at least 6 weeks. It may go as long as 6 months (I'm waiting for a call from my LLMD to clarify that--that's what he said in March)

My rocephin infusions will be 3 days on, 1 day off...

I would LIKE to be able to swim, and do weights, for I still do that (though no where near like I used to). I know that a PICC line would restrict that, where a port would not...

The port would leave a scar (and I have dark skin that scars easily)...maybe some kind of bleaching creme when it's all said and done? But, the scar is the least of my worries....I guess I want what will be best for me...one is least invasive, but slightly higher risk and more restrictive (picc) and the other (port) would allow for more exercise, but is more invasive. They both seem kinda scary to me....and I'm not one that gets scaried easily...but I've just not ever had anything like this, and it is kinda worrisome to me...

No, this doesn't mean that my insurance has approved this. I will be paying out of pocket, so please send any spare change my way...

However, I did send my insurance a letter today along with supporting documents...for a total of 24 pages! So, we'll see what they do with all of that! I can't imagine that they will win this...but they sure are trying not to pay!

Any of you have the kind where you give yourself the shot every day?

I think maybe you're getting confused. Rocephin is available as intramuscular shots or as IV infusions. IV Rocephin goes in through an IV line and is not a shot. It's possible to do IV push with Rocephin where the antibiotic is in a syringe and you push it through the IV line over the course of 5-10 minutes (I've never done it this way so I don't know much about that).

With port-a-caths in your chest (or arm), there has to be a needle in the port in order to do infusions. The needle is a special needle that is pre-bent at a 90 degree angle and has tubing attached to the end of it (you can see a picture of them in the Port-a-Cath (catheter) post). Getting the needle put in isn't bad, especially if you use EMLA (numbing) cream on the port for about an hour before the accessing is done - then you don't feel anything.

Maybe you should look more into what your doctor was going to order for you.

--Annie

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I suggest you tell them to use pediatric insertion and tubing. Also take valium or something when yougo to get it put in, just to relax you and drink TONS of water for full veins.

I didnt feel mine after about a week or two. I could not swim as in doing STROKES but if you get the sleeve you can hang out in the water and putz around. In the summer this can be crucial.

Also crucial to me was the epsom salt baths when I herxed. Dont know how to do the several times a day baths with the prt o cath?

I liked my Picc and it became a part of my body that I felt was good and healing. I had it in for 8 weeks. My partner pushed the medicine in via a sirynge everyday, but I could have done it myself. Just nice to have someone there.

Home health nurse came once a week to change dressing.

Except when I was hospitalised for 5 days due to herx, I worked throughout the entire time, full time and commuted an hour each way by car! I could NOT do this NOW!

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I was under the impression, that I'd be putting the needle in and out daily, so I'd be "deaccessed" every day. Upon reading here, it seems that most people don't do that...so now I'm wondering if my doctor meant me swimming once a week, instead of every other day or so!

My internal medicine doctor (who is just learning about lyme along with me) suggested the picc line first, stating that I could then do the port if the picc doesn't work...but if a port doesn't work, that is a bigger issue....

And my LLMD didn't call back...so I'm not sure which he'd suggest...

Tina

My opinion (and it's only my opinion) is that a port would seem to fit you better. In my opinion, pulsing medicine is one of the biggest reasons to get a port over a PICC. You'll be able to have a day every 4 days when you can live your life normally - go swimming, shower normally, etc. With a PICC, you would really NEVER be able to swim, so if swimming is important to you I'd say go for a port.

--Annie

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SO...I'll think about it a bit longer, and then decide. It seems like those of you who have had both vote for the port....

I'd rather not do either...but I'd rather not have lyme...since I have lyme, I have to do one of the above (or at least I have 2 docs saying IV is best for me)...so I'll go think for awhile and decide.

Thanks so much for your input!

I have had 2 picc lines and 1 port - first picc line I had sepsis which i believe was due to the nurse not cleaning the site well enough as I kept asking why it looked so (yellow). so i ended up in the hospital and had to have a picc inserted into my right arm - that picc was fine.

A year later I had a picc for 4 months until I got thrombosis(i think thats the name) - no reason was ever given and it was pulled.

Then I had a port put in thinking it would be very nice since it would be under the skin - well every time I was accessed for some reason I about jumped thru the roof in pain and the pain lasted (radiculopathy) for days.

Turns out a nerve was cut I suppose when the port was put in - almost a year after its been out and i still have pain and alot of numbness plus yes a scar (two).

But I would consider getting another picc or port if I had to (might have to) - i think the biggest difference is length of treatment, I had the port in for 8 months - and would have had it longer if i could have handled the pain - but the longest i had a picc was 4 months. I think to have a port inserted you might want to make sure that insurance approved the surgery (its expensive as i got the bill for both of mine) and the meds - because for a short term amount of IV my 'personal' opinion is a picc.

Ok i've rambled enough - no matter what you choose, I wish you luck and in no way did i tell my story to scare you - just that when i was making my decision i know i would have wanted as much info as i could - otherwise ignore this post, k?

We'll just see how it goes...if things don't work out, I'll do the port. I am blessed to have a couple of wonderful, understanding doctors to help me through all this!

Can you sleep on the side where your picc is? That is the side I sleep on, for my other side (right) hurts in the shoulder (probably lyme..but who knows at this point? )

I figured my insurance might do better authorizing the picc (I am still battling that one)....

So, tomorrow I get a picc line...thanks for all the support everyone.

Any good names for my picc line??

I highly suggest getting a Xerosox for covering your arm during showers and even to dip in the water for a little bit here and there (no strenuous swimming, but it's nice to be able to get in the water for a little bit on hot days).

I don't have any good names for your PICC line but my port-a-cath is nicknamed Winnie the Port. And in keeping with that, my IV pole is Piglet and my portable IV pump is Eeyore! (Maybe I'm taking this a little too far, but the small pack that holds the pump is nicknamed Roo and the bigger backpack it goes into is Kanga. )

Good luck tomorrow! I'll be thinking about you and hoping it goes well.

--Annie

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I sure hope to kick those ketes. I was up vibrating half the night last night!