failed PICC attempts

Skye · Apr 7, 2009

This may seem like a dumb question and maybe I don't even want to know the answer. I've had a bad experience the last couple of days with a few failed PICC attempts. I have a line now and everything is going well. I have been told that the needle is smaller than what they use for IV's and that there is little to no harm in a PICC being attempted and that the scarring really only occurs when you have an actual line for a period of a few weeks. Is this true?

I will certainly be more careful next time and drink plenty of water and request interventional radiology. I just didn't have any idea I would have a problem this time and I am just hoping that these attempts won't create a problem for me in the future. I also have a large bruise on one arm. Do any of you bruise when you get a PICC?

I guess I just want you guys to laugh at me and tell me I am being over paranoid, silly, over thinking things, and creating problems for myself that don't exist<img src="">

Skye · Apr 7, 2009

This may seem like a dumb question and maybe I don't even want to know the answer. I've had a bad experience the last couple of days with a few failed PICC attempts. I have a line now and everything is going well. I have been told that the needle is smaller than what they use for IV's and that there is little to no harm in a PICC being attempted and that the scarring really only occurs when you have an actual line for a period of a few weeks. Is this true?

I will certainly be more careful next time and drink plenty of water and request interventional radiology. I just didn't have any idea I would have a problem this time and I am just hoping that these attempts won't create a problem for me in the future. I also have a large bruise on one arm. Do any of you bruise when you get a PICC?

I guess I just want you guys to laugh at me and tell me I am being over paranoid, silly, over thinking things, and creating problems for myself that don't exist<img src="">

Skye · Apr 7, 2009

This may seem like a dumb question and maybe I don't even want to know the answer. I've had a bad experience the last couple of days with a few failed PICC attempts. I have a line now and everything is going well. I have been told that the needle is smaller than what they use for IV's and that there is little to no harm in a PICC being attempted and that the scarring really only occurs when you have an actual line for a period of a few weeks. Is this true?

I will certainly be more careful next time and drink plenty of water and request interventional radiology. I just didn't have any idea I would have a problem this time and I am just hoping that these attempts won't create a problem for me in the future. I also have a large bruise on one arm. Do any of you bruise when you get a PICC?

I guess I just want you guys to laugh at me and tell me I am being over paranoid, silly, over thinking things, and creating problems for myself that don't exist<img src="">

Skye · Apr 7, 2009

This may seem like a dumb question and maybe I don't even want to know the answer. I've had a bad experience the last couple of days with a few failed PICC attempts. I have a line now and everything is going well. I have been told that the needle is smaller than what they use for IV's and that there is little to no harm in a PICC being attempted and that the scarring really only occurs when you have an actual line for a period of a few weeks. Is this true?

I will certainly be more careful next time and drink plenty of water and request interventional radiology. I just didn't have any idea I would have a problem this time and I am just hoping that these attempts won't create a problem for me in the future. I also have a large bruise on one arm. Do any of you bruise when you get a PICC?

I guess I just want you guys to laugh at me and tell me I am being over paranoid, silly, over thinking things, and creating problems for myself that don't exist<img src="">

Skye · Apr 7, 2009

This may seem like a dumb question and maybe I don't even want to know the answer. I've had a bad experience the last couple of days with a few failed PICC attempts. I have a line now and everything is going well. I have been told that the needle is smaller than what they use for IV's and that there is little to no harm in a PICC being attempted and that the scarring really only occurs when you have an actual line for a period of a few weeks. Is this true?
 
 I will certainly be more careful next time and drink plenty of water and request interventional radiology. I just didn't have any idea I would have a problem this time and I am just hoping that these attempts won't create a problem for me in the future. I also have a large bruise on one arm. Do any of you bruise when you get a PICC?
 
 I guess I just want you guys to laugh at me and tell me I am being over paranoid, silly, over thinking things, and creating problems for myself that don't exist<img src="">

Landy · Apr 7, 2009

I had a huge bruise last time, actually near my elbow? This was after they had to try 2 times to get a PICC in (finally got it in 2nd vein they tried). They were getting some resistance the first time, I'm not sure if it was scar tissue or what.

If they didn't measure your arm when they placed PICC, I would if I were you, & if you notice any swelling, report it to your doctor, just in case. Some swelling may be normal, but I would guess that anything more than 1 cc should be reported. Of course, consult your doctor on this, they may have a different point of view then I do *shrugs*

As for scarring, even if you have some, could they not put your next PICC above that spot, higher up on your arm?

I probably didn't help any, did I? Try to relax and do keep us posted on how you're doing in a day or 2!

Landy · Apr 7, 2009

I had a huge bruise last time, actually near my elbow? This was after they had to try 2 times to get a PICC in (finally got it in 2nd vein they tried). They were getting some resistance the first time, I'm not sure if it was scar tissue or what.

If they didn't measure your arm when they placed PICC, I would if I were you, & if you notice any swelling, report it to your doctor, just in case. Some swelling may be normal, but I would guess that anything more than 1 cc should be reported. Of course, consult your doctor on this, they may have a different point of view then I do *shrugs*

As for scarring, even if you have some, could they not put your next PICC above that spot, higher up on your arm?

I probably didn't help any, did I? Try to relax and do keep us posted on how you're doing in a day or 2!

Landy · Apr 7, 2009

I had a huge bruise last time, actually near my elbow? This was after they had to try 2 times to get a PICC in (finally got it in 2nd vein they tried). They were getting some resistance the first time, I'm not sure if it was scar tissue or what.

If they didn't measure your arm when they placed PICC, I would if I were you, & if you notice any swelling, report it to your doctor, just in case. Some swelling may be normal, but I would guess that anything more than 1 cc should be reported. Of course, consult your doctor on this, they may have a different point of view then I do *shrugs*

As for scarring, even if you have some, could they not put your next PICC above that spot, higher up on your arm?

I probably didn't help any, did I? Try to relax and do keep us posted on how you're doing in a day or 2!

Landy · Apr 7, 2009

I had a huge bruise last time, actually near my elbow? This was after they had to try 2 times to get a PICC in (finally got it in 2nd vein they tried). They were getting some resistance the first time, I'm not sure if it was scar tissue or what.

If they didn't measure your arm when they placed PICC, I would if I were you, & if you notice any swelling, report it to your doctor, just in case. Some swelling may be normal, but I would guess that anything more than 1 cc should be reported. Of course, consult your doctor on this, they may have a different point of view then I do *shrugs*

As for scarring, even if you have some, could they not put your next PICC above that spot, higher up on your arm?

I probably didn't help any, did I? Try to relax and do keep us posted on how you're doing in a day or 2!

Landy · Apr 7, 2009

I had a huge bruise last time, actually near my elbow? This was after they had to try 2 times to get a PICC in (finally got it in 2nd vein they tried). They were getting some resistance the first time, I'm not sure if it was scar tissue or what.
 
 If they didn't measure your arm when they placed PICC, I would if I were you, & if you notice any swelling, report it to your doctor, just in case. Some swelling may be normal, but I would guess that anything more than 1 cc should be reported. Of course, consult your doctor on this, they may have a different point of view then I do *shrugs*
 
 As for scarring, even if you have some, could they not put your next PICC above that spot, higher up on your arm?
 
 I probably didn't help any, did I? Try to relax and do keep us posted on how you're doing in a day or 2!

RonnieSharpe · Apr 7, 2009

Hopefully this will put your mind at ease...I have had over 30 PICC lines and I have a ton of scarring but they continue to put one (because I refuse to get a port for now) in everytime that I am hospitalized. The only hang up I have had is that they cannot use my left arm anymore because of a narrowing of my veins near the shoulder.

Yes, bruising and pain is very common. Especially if they tried a few times. I also agree to make sure they continue to measure your arm to make sure there is no swelling.

Hope this helps.

Ronnie

RonnieSharpe · Apr 7, 2009

Hopefully this will put your mind at ease...I have had over 30 PICC lines and I have a ton of scarring but they continue to put one (because I refuse to get a port for now) in everytime that I am hospitalized. The only hang up I have had is that they cannot use my left arm anymore because of a narrowing of my veins near the shoulder.

Yes, bruising and pain is very common. Especially if they tried a few times. I also agree to make sure they continue to measure your arm to make sure there is no swelling.

Hope this helps.

Ronnie

RonnieSharpe · Apr 7, 2009

Hopefully this will put your mind at ease...I have had over 30 PICC lines and I have a ton of scarring but they continue to put one (because I refuse to get a port for now) in everytime that I am hospitalized. The only hang up I have had is that they cannot use my left arm anymore because of a narrowing of my veins near the shoulder.

Yes, bruising and pain is very common. Especially if they tried a few times. I also agree to make sure they continue to measure your arm to make sure there is no swelling.

Hope this helps.

Ronnie

RonnieSharpe · Apr 7, 2009

Hopefully this will put your mind at ease...I have had over 30 PICC lines and I have a ton of scarring but they continue to put one (because I refuse to get a port for now) in everytime that I am hospitalized. The only hang up I have had is that they cannot use my left arm anymore because of a narrowing of my veins near the shoulder.

Yes, bruising and pain is very common. Especially if they tried a few times. I also agree to make sure they continue to measure your arm to make sure there is no swelling.

Hope this helps.

Ronnie

RonnieSharpe · Apr 7, 2009

Hopefully this will put your mind at ease...I have had over 30 PICC lines and I have a ton of scarring but they continue to put one (because I refuse to get a port for now) in everytime that I am hospitalized. The only hang up I have had is that they cannot use my left arm anymore because of a narrowing of my veins near the shoulder.
 
 Yes, bruising and pain is very common. Especially if they tried a few times. I also agree to make sure they continue to measure your arm to make sure there is no swelling.
 
 Hope this helps.
 
 Ronnie

juliepie · Apr 7, 2009

Everyone is different. I had maybe 8 piccs before I got my port... and about 25 attempts to get them in. The very last one I had placed took FIVE tries. Two in my left arm and three in my right. My veins are still really difficult to access, even for blood draws, and it's been almost 4 years. I did have lots of bruising, sometimes for over a week, and the line was always really sore for a few days. Do they have you keep a hot water compress on it for the first day? That can help a lot with the pain/bruising. Good luck!

juliepie · Apr 7, 2009

Everyone is different. I had maybe 8 piccs before I got my port... and about 25 attempts to get them in. The very last one I had placed took FIVE tries. Two in my left arm and three in my right. My veins are still really difficult to access, even for blood draws, and it's been almost 4 years. I did have lots of bruising, sometimes for over a week, and the line was always really sore for a few days. Do they have you keep a hot water compress on it for the first day? That can help a lot with the pain/bruising. Good luck!

juliepie · Apr 7, 2009

Everyone is different. I had maybe 8 piccs before I got my port... and about 25 attempts to get them in. The very last one I had placed took FIVE tries. Two in my left arm and three in my right. My veins are still really difficult to access, even for blood draws, and it's been almost 4 years. I did have lots of bruising, sometimes for over a week, and the line was always really sore for a few days. Do they have you keep a hot water compress on it for the first day? That can help a lot with the pain/bruising. Good luck!

juliepie · Apr 7, 2009

Everyone is different. I had maybe 8 piccs before I got my port... and about 25 attempts to get them in. The very last one I had placed took FIVE tries. Two in my left arm and three in my right. My veins are still really difficult to access, even for blood draws, and it's been almost 4 years. I did have lots of bruising, sometimes for over a week, and the line was always really sore for a few days. Do they have you keep a hot water compress on it for the first day? That can help a lot with the pain/bruising. Good luck!

juliepie · Apr 7, 2009

Everyone is different. I had maybe 8 piccs before I got my port... and about 25 attempts to get them in. The very last one I had placed took FIVE tries. Two in my left arm and three in my right. My veins are still really difficult to access, even for blood draws, and it's been almost 4 years. I did have lots of bruising, sometimes for over a week, and the line was always really sore for a few days. Do they have you keep a hot water compress on it for the first day? That can help a lot with the pain/bruising. Good luck!

failed PICC attempts

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