posted
If you weren't getting a peripheral line placed tomorrow, I would suggest a central line that comes out of the chest.
Posts: 984 | From San Diego | Registered: Nov 2006
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Do you mean a port? Or like a PICC?
My LLMD suggested it, and it seemed like it would be less invasive. Also, after the first month, I will only need it in 4 days per week, hopefully (at double dose per day).
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
Its rough I also had this issue working in an office in the city was hard to conceal the IV also it started getting warm out and I could bear the long sleeves.
I did the sock thing and when people asked I told them I hurt myself or just said oh its no biggie and changed the subject.
The other option is when you are meeting with the client wear a blazer and dont take it off until they leave.
Most importantly make sure you protect the line from damage, when I had my peripherals I had to get them changed so much because I would bump into someone and it would pull or lifting too much stuff.
Good luck!!!!!
Melissa
-------------------- When the going gets tough. . . I'll keep fighting! Ms. Geet3721
New LLMD, New abx, New life coming right up!!!! Posts: 714 | From La La Lyme Land | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I have done the picc line and the port - still using the port and favor it far above the picc line. I am a counselor and often work with children, so I am in the same predicament professionally.
I find the port much easier to hide and less noticeable within my day personally too. By the time you get this you may have already had your procedure. Hope it goes well.
Posts: 96 | From Ft. Worth, TX | Registered: May 2008
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Rumigirl
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posted
darla,
When you have the port, is it always in the same place in the middle of the chest on one side? I've seen people with the shiny see-through bandage over it that is visible, unless you have high-necked shirts. Women's fashions don't lend themselves to hiding this stuff!
I put starting the IV off a few days, as my mother is ill, and I need to go see her. The peripheral could always be changed to a port or PICC later on, as it only stays in a few days at a time. It's hard to figure out what would be best, peripheral, PICC, or port.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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posted
I know a lot of people have great experiences with ports, and that's what helped me decide to get one in March of 2007.
I did not know how much trouble they could possibly be. I have had countless surgeries, and my chest is now irreparably mangled from each procedure.
I'm not telling you this to scare you. I love having a port. I don't regret getting one. I just don't remember anyone ever warning me that my body could reject it, veins could close, fibrin sheaths could form, and I could possibly need a new implantable device every couple months for the remaining months/years of treatment.
I am an extremely rare case. Extremely rare. By March of this year, I'd already blown through 2 chest ports. I'm on my third for 2009. I'm doing anticoagulation therapy to keep my body from attacking the device so quickly and it seems to work.
I'm learning to accept my scars. I don't hide them, and for the people that feel they need to ask about them I use their inquisitiveness to spread the word about Lyme.
Oh - and for the record - I blew through PICC lines quickly, which is why I elected to have a port implanted, and peripheral lines only stay in the vein for about 6 hours before my veins deny them access to my bloodstream.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
You could probably hide a peripheral line easily if it was placed in the side of your wrist instead of one of the blood vessels on top of your hand.
The wrist is usually an easy place for the nurse to access a vein anyways so just ask when you go to have it placed.
To actually cover the site you could gently/ loosely tie pretty strips of fabric over the wrist area. You could start a new fashion trend around the office:)
I have a PICC line in my upper arm and I keep it covered with a sock. Trouser socks work well. They look nicer than athletic socks, less bulky, better color and fabric options.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
If you are having four weeks/ a month of probably rocephin you are getting a PICC, peripherally inserted central catheter that will sit in the bend of your elbow. I have a port and of course love the port too BUT- for a short time, try the PICC. Many folks make really NEAT covers, knit, plain or colorful stockinettes (the nurses can give you stockinette that goes all the way around your arm)
It depends on your personality and your line of work but to just make it fun (as fun as this can be) get a really net colored sock- the trouser socks do work well, or even a white shirt with a black trouser sock or long sleeve shirt to cover it underneath.
posted
Rumi- a port is put in by a surgeon, a PICC can be done at the bedside by an RN.
I think for you to start, a PICC may be fine BUT if you are REALLY concerned with covering it up, I say port..... No question. The line goes to the same vein, subclavian and sits next to the heart, the port will be placed on either your right or left shoulder, usually opposite which hand you write with.
It's so much easier to have a port. You do need to see a surgeon, get cleared and book an OR but that procedure can be done QUICK:)
Posts: 49 | From Louisiana | Registered: Mar 2009
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Rumigirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15091
posted
Lostgurl,
The second link with the colorful PICC covers---are they for sale, or are they just cut up trouser socks? If they're for sale, where? They look the best of anything I've seen so far.
Thank you, guys! It's already determined that I'm getting a peripheral. If I want to change it after a month, I'll rethink then. Assuming I do well with the Rocephin, I'll surely do 6-8 months or more of it.
Posts: 3771 | From around | Registered: Mar 2008
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quote:Originally posted by lostgurl: It's so much easier to have a port. You do need to see a surgeon, get cleared and book an OR but that procedure can be done QUICK:)
Though I now have a surgeon that has the ultimate say-so over my port, the intial one was put in by the same staff that did PICC lines in the area hospital's Interventional Radiology department. It was ordered by my LLMD, as all of the PICCs had been, and took no time to have put in.
My surgeon is kind of on the outskirts of the loop now. He does monitor my progress with the anticoagulation clinic, and he's made aware of all the problems I have with ports, but these days I have office appointments with the interventional radiologist that placed this last port, and have been told to call him directly if anything peculiar happens.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
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or just said oh its no biggie and changed the subject.
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