aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Hi all,
Haven't posted in awhile. Went downhill and got a picc-line put in Wednesday.
Am kinda flying by the seat of my pants.
The local I.D. doc that's working with my out-of-state LLMD didn't give me any info in regards to aftercare.
At the hospital they told me to keep the picc dry but my home health nurse said it was fine to shower.
Picc's covered with a clear waterproof bandage with the extension exposed.
Needless to say, I took the shower. Hope like hell I didn't screw up.
Real pain with the thing just hanging there.
My hair's got to go. To hard to deal with being past shoulder length.
What do you all do to shower? Cover picc...do you use the arm alot? I don't have a clue.
Boy, I need some help just to figure out how to shower....that's an all time low for me.
Oh, maybe not, running the washer without putting clothes in there is the all time low...LOL!
Any help would be appreciated.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6918 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
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5dana8
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7935
posted
yikes
I don't think you should shower with the extention exposed.
my pic line lasted till the very end of my treatment with no problems.
I wrapped it with saranwrap. I mean I took the roll of saran and went round and round the entire area like 12 times. . 1-2 "" beyond everything. Like a mummy . Very snuggly.
Then I took masking tape and did the same thing over the saran. I wrapped the masking tape 1-2'' wellbeyond the saran wrap just for extra measure on my skin. Dry as a bone everytime.
Be careful you mark where the end of the tape is so it is easy to remove And also the end of the saran wrap,.With a permanant marker. Only on the saran & tape of course,not on skin.
( unwind the tape and plastic wrap carefully and gently.)
posted
I never figured out how to shower with my PICC line. I swear I tried everything, and every time under my bandage would be wet. I'd call my nurses, and they'd rush over to change it. The one time they didn't I got a bit of an infection, so beware.
-------------------- Sometimes when I say �Oh, I�m fine� I want someone to look me in the eyes & say �tell the truth�
You can also go the old route of using saran wrap or a plastic bag and taping the ends but that is more difficult and less reliable to keep the water out.
Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
I vouch for the 'cast cover.'
Looks like a giant plastic arm.
With a little gasket type seal at the top. Slip it on, then jump in the shower and just forget about it. Any medical supply place has em, and you will use it and use it and use it. Hang it over the shower curtain railing when you're done and it's ready to go for next time.
It's nice NOT to have the stress of worrying about water getting into your PICC site!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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aklnwlf
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5960
posted
Thanks everyone for the replys. Hopefully the 2 showers I already took won't cause an infection.
Will go and get that cast cover today.
-------------------- Do not take this as medical advice. This comment is based on opinion and personal experience only.
Alaska Lone Wolf Posts: 6918 | From Columbus, GA | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
Simple solution: Go to a Farm and Fleet or Tractor Supply store or someplace where they sell veterniary equipment.
Buy vetrinary gynecological gloves that go all the way to the shoulder. I just rubber banded it at the top and never got my picc line wet. Bill the Lyme guy gave me this tip!
Some of the plastic air casts can be dangerous according to my home health nurse. They put too much pressure and can cause the picc line to come out. Hiker
-------------------- Hiker53
"God is light. In Him there is no darkness." 1John 1:5 Posts: 10169 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2004
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posted
Our Zerosox covers were well worth it and kept the site dry... you can even swim with it for up to half an hour of emertion.
You can pump it to the degree that there is a good seal, while leaving enough flexibility so you do not pressurize the site too much.
Mo
Posts: 8337 | From the other shore | Registered: Jul 2002
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lymemomtooo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5396
posted
My daughter had good luck with the new Glad press and seal..She also used dressing tape on the top and bottom..
Just be careful when you remove in case it is sealed to the picc line attachments..
Posts: 2360 | From SE PA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Here. Like this. (A PICC-ture helps 'splain what I'm talking about.) The seal around the top is so flexible you can't believe it. No pump involved here, no pressure.
A'course, you can't go swimming in this one, either.
Try holdin onto a bar of soap with THAT hand. Ha.
Georgia is modeling the latest in women's PICC-wear fashions for you this evening. :-)
Michelle Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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Foggy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 1584
posted
I bought that monster size plastic wrap at Costco with x-large surgical tape and did the mummy thing. Never had a problem in 4 months of healthy daily PICC showers.
Posts: 2451 | From Lyme Central | Registered: Aug 2001
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