posted
I am on my third Bard Power picc. The first one looks like the problem was the nurse was pulling out a bit with each dressing change until it wasn't in proper place (hence the swelling i had in my arm). that picc lasted four months. then i got another one.
picc # 2 lasted one month. i couldn't get either lumen to flush or aspirate. got in for testing 2 weeks after the fact (had to wait on wait list) and was told i had a fibrin sheath and a blood clot in the line.
picc#3 installed april 3. day #5 with this line and i couldn't flush or aspirate one of the lumens. my doc said sometimes this happens and ran an iv and got the trouble lumen working again. today i went to flush the trouble lumen and same problem and went to flush the other lumen and was going to run a 250 ml saline bag but the working lumen wouldn't flush so i aspirated and then couldn't flush. i called the hospital right away and they told me to remove the cap and attach the saline syringe and try it that way. i try to push and pull and it wouldn't move. there's blood in the line and the nurse said sounds like a blood clot.
picc# 3 lasted 8 days.
picc #1- four months. picc#2 one month picc#3 8 days
what the heck is going on? i flush it exactly as directed. i don't understand what is going on. as far as i know i don't have a blood clotting problem.
to make matters more complicated i am fairly certain my doctor cannot order me another picc line (long story). anyhow yeah i would love to know why i am having so many problems with picc lines. i was scheduled to start levaquin IV asap but that is not happening now. not soon anyway.
Posts: 255 | From where we don't have Lyme disease | Registered: Jan 2007
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feelfit
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12770
posted
Sheesh Cat,
Now I know what it means when they say when it rains, it pours!
You sure have had your share of problems. I don't have anything to offer as far as your PICC lines go, just wanted to let you know that your luck is due to change.
How is the yeast issue?
Feelfit
Posts: 3975 | From usa | Registered: Aug 2007
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stymielymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10044
posted
picc lines need to be put in, in a radiologists office or outpatient. it must be put in a deep vein not a superficial vein. they usually use sonogram and xray to confirm location, suture not necessary but seems to help many.
it should go in the upper arm on the anterior, towards the heart side of the arm. it should be near or close to the heart entrance. most picc lines should be 18 -24 inches.
my last picc line cost the insurance $6000
docdave.
Posts: 1820 | From Boone and Southport, NC | Registered: Sep 2006
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posted
I sure hope you get this problem resolved so you can start your iv therapy. I know you must be so incredibly frustrated.
I have always had my PICC's put in by a special procedures radiologist at a big hospital where I live.
It is done in a procedure room that looks and is set up just like and operating room.
It is done under fluroscopy (sp?) and have never had a problem.
Only problems I had was when they were using a small catheter. I was getting blood clots. I am now using a 5 French which is big and keeps things flowing nicely.
Good luck to you.
-------------------- ...~*Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming*~... Posts: 120 | From New Jersey | Registered: May 2006
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All my piccs were put in under flouroscopy in the hospital.
6000$ for a picc? that's pretty steep. I have no insurance. i'm in Canada so it is covered but if my doc can't prescribe me another one i may have to get it done in the US. 6000$ wow.
for me every single treatment has been out of pocket except strangely the IV Rocephin. I got 4 months of IV rocephin. I am due to start levaquin and found out it will not be covered. The levaquin is 70$ per day. Is that pretty standard compared to US prices??
Posts: 255 | From where we don't have Lyme disease | Registered: Jan 2007
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