LymeNet Flash: Getting Nervous About The PICC Line, HELP

LymeNet on Facebook

LymeNet on Twitter

Follow @LymeDiseaseNet

The Lyme Disease Network receives a commission from Amazon.com for each purchase originating from this site.

When purchasing from Amazon.com, please
click here first.

Thank you.

Dedicated to the Bachmann Family

LymeNet needs your help:
LymeNet 2020 fund drive

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations.

»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Getting Nervous About The PICC Line, HELP

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Getting Nervous About The PICC Line, HELP

Kings Park
Member
Member # 11390

posted

Due to have my first PICC line inserted next week and reading about all these potential problems with PICC lines, and getting very nervous, HELP!

Posts: 43 | From Suffolk County | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

ByronSBell 2007
Unregistered

posted

There are alot of great treatments out there besides PICC lines. I was offered to have IV abx by a LLMD but declined...

IP: Logged |

proud pup
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 4152

posted

You are seeing all the bad right now while most people make out fine with them.

Getting it done did not hurt (make sure it is done by a radiologist)

What is making you most nervous??

Posts: 191 | From Eastern Shore. Maryland USA | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged |

k-lyme
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5574

posted

Relax! If you take care of your PICC line the way you are instructed to by the people who insert it, then you will have minimal to no problems at all (when I say minimal, I'm talking like your line on the outside kinks up because the nurse who changed your dressing positioned it wrong........that kind of stuff). In my opinion, for what it's worth, having a PICC line and getting IV antibiotics sets you up for a much better chance of a quicker recovery. [Big Grin]

You'll be okay [Wink]

Just remember, if it were a real serious procedure, then the medical proffessionals would put you under. It is no big deal, TRUST ME. Again, make sure to follow the directions and instructions that the person who puts you PICC line in gives you, and you should be fine. Also, one other thing. When you find a place that you want to get you supplies from (specifically saline), get some heparin from them because the PICC line's anti clotting tip is not full proof and they can and generally do back up after a while. (This is medical advice that was given to me by Dr. P in Wilton, CT when I had my PICC line). All you do is, a few times a week (preferably every other day) is flush your PICC line with 0.25 to 0.50 a cc of heparin before you flush your line with saline. This will keep your PICC clot free and should not have a noticeable thinning affect on your blood.

NOTE: If you are a haemophilliac or have a clotting disorder of any kind, do check with your own doctor about the heparin.

Take Care and DON'T WORRY! Okay? [Big Grin]

K-lyme

Posts: 227 | From CA | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged |

kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410

posted

You will probably do fine. I, too, was concerned, but after having 4 PIC lines I no longer have that concern.

Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged |

Kings Park
Member
Member # 11390

posted

Initial pain, decreased mobility afterward,sleeping, and what seems to be the potential for a serious problem at anytime, are my biggest concerns.

Posts: 43 | From Suffolk County | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

Kings Park
Member
Member # 11390

posted

Thanks K-lyme I feel much better now, I was really sweating it for a while. Pain on insertion, not a problem?

Posts: 43 | From Suffolk County | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

Kings Park
Member
Member # 11390

posted

THANK YOU ALL, I feel much better about this now [Smile]

Posts: 43 | From Suffolk County | Registered: Mar 2007 | IP: Logged |

savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847

posted

I had three picc lines put in and had absolutely no problems.

The key is to keep it clean and covered, especially when you take a shower. I purchased my arm cover from www.brownmed.com and it worked well.
From reading your past posts, IV Rocephin will really help with your neurolyme.
Good luck and don't worry, it's a piece of cake! [Smile]

Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged |

Printer-friendly view of this topic

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, NJ 08534 USA
http://www.lymenet.org/