posted
I have my first PICC line and am having a tough time showering.
At first it hurt too much to shower easily and move around, but I am fussy about being really clean all the time.
I used the Saran Wrap stick and seal, or whatever it is called last night. It wasn't watertight around the edges, so I placed some tape.
It "worked" but it was hard to use my arm and a complete pain to put on, and even worse taking it off.
Is there something easier out there? We found one company that has some kind of sleeve, but it looked like it was made for mid-arm not upper-arm. We are going to call and see if it would work.
Not being able to shower easily is really bothering me. I am on the verge of getting the energy to go somewhere and get somebody to do my hair for me. Okay, to do a few times, but for how many months...
Please help!!!
Posts: 114 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
AZURE WISH
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 804
posted
I had a sleeve... plastic sleeve with rubber on both ends. My picc was on the upper arm too and to my knowledge that is where they usually put piccs.
If you dont want to invest in a sleeve (although I reccomend it) You could get some other kind of water proof bag - like one of those bags you put vegatables in at the grocery store - and put rubber bands on both ends.
I have done both... In the beggining I didn't know the sleeve existed - wish I had - much simpler and I believe more effective.
posted
I've been using Glad Press and Seal with tape on both ends. I use the tape that only sticks to itself. Make sure to do multiple layers of press 'n seal as the clamp can puncture, or the "seal" may not be so great, but i've had my PICC in for over a month with no incident.
It takes a bit for the area around your picc to heal, just take it slowly. I had one of those Mid-arm protectors from brown industries, didn't even look like it was worth my time so I sent it back. The press and seal has been the only thing that as really worked, and truthfully, you never really do get to take a good normal shower.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
I used regular old saran wrap, folded into quarters to the size I wanted to cover.
Then I put clear plastic tape (can't remeber it's name right now) but it's the kind without the holes in it, around all 4 edges.
It was a little awkward applying it at first but you get better at it. (If I remember correctly I put the tape on 3 sides of the plastic wrap, put it where I wanted it and then just taped up the 4th side.)
It gave me fairly good use of my arm and I just tried to keep it out of the stream of water as much as possible. Then I just stripped it off as soon as I existed the shower. Sometimes there was a tiny bit of moisture but I had no problems with this method.
Originally, I had been using a plastic bag with tape around my arm or rubberbands. My nurse flipped out on me and told me never to put something tight around my upper arn because you don't want to risk crimping and/or damaging the line.
I have never tried those sleeve things. but neither have I had an IV in 5 or 6 years.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
you can buy a cast cover for showering at you local medical supply store
-------------------- ~Things may happen in my life time to change who I am but I refuse to let them reduce me...~ Posts: 968 | From private | Registered: Jan 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Cast cover from medical supply store is a good ideal. It may be your best bet. Hope you are doing better.
Posts: 719 | From Delaware | Registered: Jan 2006
| IP: Logged |
char
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8315
posted
Hi Blackbird,
I am glad to hear that you are feeling well and wanting to get out a bit!
Someone here on lymenet posted that they used a wrap bandage that was waterproof and stuck to itself from an on-line veterinary supply company.
-------------------- Mathias Posts: 1250 | From New Jersey | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
arg82
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 161
posted
I second getting a Xerosox. I had one (not the new PICC line ones, but one that covered my whole arm and hand) and it worked really well - no worries about it leaking and, although I wasn't able to use my hand since it was covered, it was easy to do everything I needed to in the shower and move around easily.
Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
A pictures's wortha thousand words. :-)
Here's what I used. A "seal tight" cast protector. Very soft and pliable seal around the top. Toss it over the shower rod when you're done. Modeled by daughter Georgia. Somewhere in the $25 neighborhood. Got it at my local medical supply. Sure made PICC life easier.
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
The Press and Seal wrap is working great for me.
But, my sister works for a vet. and she is bringing me home some PetFlex wrap to try.
I'll let you all know how that works out.
The Press and Seal still makes me nervous when in shower because in the back of my mind I am wondering if water is getting in.(hasn't happened)
Posts: 191 | From Eastern Shore. Maryland USA | Registered: Jun 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
i ordered a large xerosox - it's not big enough for my large arms - i'll be glad to send it you if you sent me a private post wilth your name, address, etc...
i'm using a gizmo (shower sleeve) from infuserve america - plastic with drawstrings at each end - works very well..about $10.00.....infuserve america 800 886 9222.
i go to the local hospital for most of my infusions as medicare pays for that ...when i do it at hjome i have to pay for the supplies and the drug - but by buying the drug from a pharmacy it counts against part d -expect to go busting through the donut hole shortly....
good luck, deb
Posts: 122 | From richmond, ca, usa | Registered: Feb 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
We just ordered the xerosox thing. They now have one out for PICC lines, and both ends are open. I will let you all know how it works as soon as it comes and I use it.
I did the saran wrap with tape and my arm got wet :-( Not good, but it didn't get the PICC area, so I was okay this time.
Thanks for offering to send me your sleeve. We measured and my arm is a small. Somebody on here is likely to need a sleeve in the size you have though.
I am getting a wash/blow out today, so hopefully that will last me till the sleeve gets here.
If you all come up with more things that work, please post them!
Thanks!!
Posts: 114 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
We just got the PICC line pro thing for my 14 year old daughter. We used it yesterday for the first time. She got in a swimming pool with her friends. The picc line cover worked great. Highly recommended.
Posts: 991 | From California | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Yesterday I did a fairly "normal" shower with the new xerosox one for PICC lines that is open at both ends.
I am going to try it again. I got VERY concerned because my veins popped out in lower arm, turned purple, etc. I jumped out of the shower, dried off enough that my arm wouldn't get wet and got a family member to help me get it off.
I am a little out of it today...to the person that just posted..do you have a link to the cover you daughter used? SO exciting for her to be able to get in a pool!!
It may be a cover I already saw, but I just wanted to double check.
I really want my freedom back to be able to shower on my own, and not have to have somebody help me cover my arm, etc. It's become such an ordeal.
Since this line is here for months, I am trying to work out things to make myself more comfortable. Showering is my biggest complaint followed by covering my PICC line with something comfortable.
The hospital gave me a sock like fabric thing, that is soft and comfy. The doctors office put a mesh like thing on, but it was not comfortable for me.
I made a cover, but haven't used it yet since my arm is still a bit sore. Was trying to keep it simple for now.
Thanks again to everybody that is posting suggestions. Really appreciate it!
Posts: 114 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Blackbird--sorry the xerosox thing didn't work for you. It worked great for us. I know they come in different sizes--perhaps yours is too small for you? I'd suggest calling the 800 number on the website and discussing it with a company respresentative.
Regarding what to put over your picc line when not in the water. The infusion company nurse gave us a stretchy white mesh thing that is okay--but my daughter took one of her old soccer socks and cut the foot off and used the rest as a decorative sleeve. She played soccer for years, so we have them in all different colors! I think she feels this is more of a "fashion statement." Best of luck to you, Dorothy
Posts: 991 | From California | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
trueblue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7348
posted
I did the same thing when I had my picc, I used the tops of sweat socks(loosish ones). I had ones to match all my clothes, it was great and cooler feeling than coban.
-------------------- more light, more love more truth and more innovation Posts: 3783 | From somewhere other than here | Registered: May 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am chemically sensitive and the smell of the medical sleeve made me sick--it smelled like new vinyl shower curtain, and the wrap smelled like new tires.
We got a box of 100 shoulder length plastic (like plastic sandwich bags) gloves which are used for veterinary purposes--like artificial insemination of cattle (sorry--gross).
I put a couple rubber bands at the top and fold it over an inch or two. Haven't gotten wet yet. Use them a time or two and toss. The box of 100 cost about $9.
blessings to you. Jen902
Posts: 23 | From USA | Registered: Feb 2006
| IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic