posted
Im getting a PICC line placed tuesday. anyone have any words of advise or hints? how bad does it hurt? im kind of nervous about it. I will be on rocephin infusions. thanks!
Posts: 28 | From Elkton, MD | Registered: Sep 2008
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savebabe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9847
posted
Make sure you keep it dry and clean. There are sites in the Internet that sell arm bandages for picc lines so they do not get wet in the shower.
Also have your nurse take the stitches out and replace them with a stat lock. This device saved my line many times. Demand it if they do not provide it.
Good luck.
Posts: 1603 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
My husband has had a central line in since last January. He was beyond nervous about getting it. We learned how to take care of it ourselves and after the first week or so of nervousness it hasn't been a problem at all.
IVs are really turning things around for my husband. I hope they do the same for you
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
I am unsure if PICCS are different in the USA? Mine was really easy to fit with no pain whatsoever. Honestly i did not feel a thing.
The nurse put a localised cream on the site for 40 minutes before fitting and then inserted it - it was xrayed to ensure it was in situ and has been there for many months now.
It has an extension on it so i can hold the port in my left hand to administer my own infusions. I was trained to look after my line and do my own infusions and have a nurse to do the dressing change weekly.
So have no wories as it it simple, painless and worth it.
XX Rianna
Posts: 1172 | From UK | Registered: Jan 2007
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Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
Forgot to say it is always covered with a tegaderm to keep the insertion site sterile and dry - thats a must.
posted
Just to expand on what Rianna said, ask them to put the extension on. It makes infusing so much easier than trying to do it one-handed. Just tape it out of the way when you're not using it.
Oh, and you might want to pick up some adhesive remover pads or ask your infusion company to send some. They're great for getting rid of that nasty residual stickiness left by the tape and the dressing.
Good luck and hope it goes smoothly for you.
-------------------- If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. - Lewis Carroll Posts: 356 | From Body-PA, Mind-elsewhere | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
My 14 1/2 yr old daughter just had one about 40 days ago, was petrified because she had one when she was 8 and they were not good at what they did.
This time was a breeze, she felt nothing, just a little sore afterwards, like a bruise for a couple of days. They numbed the area and they put a PICC line lock on it too. She had stitches the first time too. Lock much better.
Everyone else pretty much covered everything else. Good luck! God Bless,
Posts: 56 | From Downingtown, PA | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
If your really nervous I would take a Xanax or Valium or something before getting it done, it wasn't that big of a deal its alot easier going then it seems but I was having major anxiety about mine.
I'm not a doctor and of course you shouldn't take any medicines without first talking to your doctor but I think if I went through it without taking something it would've been alot worse for me.
posted
I apparently have "difficult veins", and mine still went pretty well. I got Lidocaine!
It was pretty sore later that night, and a bit the next day. I have a rice bag that I heated up in the microwave, and rested that on it - fantastic.
I did start a new job as a vet tech the very next day, so it wasn't all that bad.
Posts: 306 | From Brownsville, PA | Registered: Jul 2007
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