posted
So I have a question for those of you who have or have had picc lines. Recently mine has been having some minor issues.
A couple weeks ago it started having trouble giving a blood return and the past week i was unable to get a blood return at all. On top of that the flushing is a little bit more difficult than before.
Does this mean anything serious?
I called my drs office and they wanted to prescribe something to flush my line with but my insurance wont cover it. So, they said that as long as its flushing it shouldnt be anything serious.
What do u guys think? Have any of you had this problem before?
posted
I was told the same thing - as long as it's flushing, it's fine.
My first one actually sprung a leak. The local doctor I saw at the ER said it would be fine, and to keep using it. My LLMD said "Oh no, no we're taking that out!".
I think you should definitely stay in touch with your doctor about it, but also to make sure you trust the person telling you that it'll be fine.
I also work in a vet's office, and we do place catheters pretty frequently. Generally, the only time we're concerned and replace them is if they aren't flushing at all - if they're flushing slowly, we leave them.
Posts: 306 | From Brownsville, PA | Registered: Jul 2007
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dmc
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5102
posted
had similar issues...doc order ultra-sound to be safe and found 2 clots under left arm/pit area.
Ask for ultrsound of line.
Posts: 2675 | From ct, usa | Registered: Jan 2004
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Rianna
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11038
posted
Just to be safe get an x-ray/ultrasound
Mine does not always draw back but if there is any restriction on fluids going in to the line you have a problem - I do regular hepsal flushes although there is no good your doc prescribing that if you have a restriction on the line.
My doc also has me on SC Heparin whilst my PICC is in
Just a thought ...... Do you change the Bio connector on a regular basis as once mine would not flush due to that
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