Getting a Picc Next Week

jamie6girl · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Everyone, 

Last time I went on IV's - I think I was 15, which was over ten years ago. Not sure if anything has changed since then, or if the process is less painful. 

I am getting a Picc next week, and I wasn't sure really what to expect. I'm kind of scrared.. Not sure how much it hurts? 

Also, the process of the IV itself makes me nervous. Not really sure about what I'm expected to do - will I have to mix up medicine and how will I connect it to the needle? 

Don't want to sound dumb, I just really don't remember too much about it from before. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

jamie6girl · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Everyone, 

Last time I went on IV's - I think I was 15, which was over ten years ago. Not sure if anything has changed since then, or if the process is less painful. 

I am getting a Picc next week, and I wasn't sure really what to expect. I'm kind of scrared.. Not sure how much it hurts? 

Also, the process of the IV itself makes me nervous. Not really sure about what I'm expected to do - will I have to mix up medicine and how will I connect it to the needle? 

Don't want to sound dumb, I just really don't remember too much about it from before. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

jamie6girl · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Everyone, 

Last time I went on IV's - I think I was 15, which was over ten years ago. Not sure if anything has changed since then, or if the process is less painful. 

I am getting a Picc next week, and I wasn't sure really what to expect. I'm kind of scrared.. Not sure how much it hurts? 

Also, the process of the IV itself makes me nervous. Not really sure about what I'm expected to do - will I have to mix up medicine and how will I connect it to the needle? 

Don't want to sound dumb, I just really don't remember too much about it from before. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

jamie6girl · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Everyone, 

Last time I went on IV's - I think I was 15, which was over ten years ago. Not sure if anything has changed since then, or if the process is less painful. 

I am getting a Picc next week, and I wasn't sure really what to expect. I'm kind of scrared.. Not sure how much it hurts? 

Also, the process of the IV itself makes me nervous. Not really sure about what I'm expected to do - will I have to mix up medicine and how will I connect it to the needle? 

Don't want to sound dumb, I just really don't remember too much about it from before. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

jamie6girl · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Everyone, 

Last time I went on IV's - I think I was 15, which was over ten years ago. Not sure if anything has changed since then, or if the process is less painful. 

I am getting a Picc next week, and I wasn't sure really what to expect. I'm kind of scrared.. Not sure how much it hurts? 

Also, the process of the IV itself makes me nervous. Not really sure about what I'm expected to do - will I have to mix up medicine and how will I connect it to the needle? 

Don't want to sound dumb, I just really don't remember too much about it from before. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

tara · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Jennifer,

It's changed SO much in the last 10 years. With my home health agency there are no needles whatsoever, unless I am using a medication that I need to draw out of a vial, like the anti-nausea drug, Zofran. As far as antibiotics go, decide how you would like to be hooked up. A lot of drugs now come in the "home pump" grenade style. You just twist the cap on, put the meds in your pocket and head out to the mall! Of course they still have the syringe type pumps that run on battery as well, but I find those heavy and bulky, plus I'm always setting it down on the counter and walking away from it, *crash!* LOL

As far as getting the PICC placed, I hate it as much as the next. I get mine done via IR. (interventional radiology??? I think) Basically they bring you to an operating room type setting. They use ultrasound to find the vein and xray when you're all done to make sure it's placed properly. Not only that, but I also ask for the double lumen. That way if I have two drugs on the same schedule I can run them at the same time. Saves me time while chasing after the kids! The part that hurts the worst is the lidocane shot to numb the area. I get my PICCs as high as possible, near my arm pit so I can easily hid everything under a t-shirt. I also use my right arm because I'm convinced there are bigger veins there since I am right handed.

The majority of the hook ups and meds are screw caps. They rarely give out syringes anymore, you don't even have to draw your own saline flushes and heparin anymore! It's all pre-mixed/packaged, and ready to go int he syringe.

tara · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Jennifer,

It's changed SO much in the last 10 years. With my home health agency there are no needles whatsoever, unless I am using a medication that I need to draw out of a vial, like the anti-nausea drug, Zofran. As far as antibiotics go, decide how you would like to be hooked up. A lot of drugs now come in the "home pump" grenade style. You just twist the cap on, put the meds in your pocket and head out to the mall! Of course they still have the syringe type pumps that run on battery as well, but I find those heavy and bulky, plus I'm always setting it down on the counter and walking away from it, *crash!* LOL

As far as getting the PICC placed, I hate it as much as the next. I get mine done via IR. (interventional radiology??? I think) Basically they bring you to an operating room type setting. They use ultrasound to find the vein and xray when you're all done to make sure it's placed properly. Not only that, but I also ask for the double lumen. That way if I have two drugs on the same schedule I can run them at the same time. Saves me time while chasing after the kids! The part that hurts the worst is the lidocane shot to numb the area. I get my PICCs as high as possible, near my arm pit so I can easily hid everything under a t-shirt. I also use my right arm because I'm convinced there are bigger veins there since I am right handed.

The majority of the hook ups and meds are screw caps. They rarely give out syringes anymore, you don't even have to draw your own saline flushes and heparin anymore! It's all pre-mixed/packaged, and ready to go int he syringe.

tara · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Jennifer,

It's changed SO much in the last 10 years. With my home health agency there are no needles whatsoever, unless I am using a medication that I need to draw out of a vial, like the anti-nausea drug, Zofran. As far as antibiotics go, decide how you would like to be hooked up. A lot of drugs now come in the "home pump" grenade style. You just twist the cap on, put the meds in your pocket and head out to the mall! Of course they still have the syringe type pumps that run on battery as well, but I find those heavy and bulky, plus I'm always setting it down on the counter and walking away from it, *crash!* LOL

As far as getting the PICC placed, I hate it as much as the next. I get mine done via IR. (interventional radiology??? I think) Basically they bring you to an operating room type setting. They use ultrasound to find the vein and xray when you're all done to make sure it's placed properly. Not only that, but I also ask for the double lumen. That way if I have two drugs on the same schedule I can run them at the same time. Saves me time while chasing after the kids! The part that hurts the worst is the lidocane shot to numb the area. I get my PICCs as high as possible, near my arm pit so I can easily hid everything under a t-shirt. I also use my right arm because I'm convinced there are bigger veins there since I am right handed.

The majority of the hook ups and meds are screw caps. They rarely give out syringes anymore, you don't even have to draw your own saline flushes and heparin anymore! It's all pre-mixed/packaged, and ready to go int he syringe.

tara · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Jennifer,

It's changed SO much in the last 10 years. With my home health agency there are no needles whatsoever, unless I am using a medication that I need to draw out of a vial, like the anti-nausea drug, Zofran. As far as antibiotics go, decide how you would like to be hooked up. A lot of drugs now come in the "home pump" grenade style. You just twist the cap on, put the meds in your pocket and head out to the mall! Of course they still have the syringe type pumps that run on battery as well, but I find those heavy and bulky, plus I'm always setting it down on the counter and walking away from it, *crash!* LOL

As far as getting the PICC placed, I hate it as much as the next. I get mine done via IR. (interventional radiology??? I think) Basically they bring you to an operating room type setting. They use ultrasound to find the vein and xray when you're all done to make sure it's placed properly. Not only that, but I also ask for the double lumen. That way if I have two drugs on the same schedule I can run them at the same time. Saves me time while chasing after the kids! The part that hurts the worst is the lidocane shot to numb the area. I get my PICCs as high as possible, near my arm pit so I can easily hid everything under a t-shirt. I also use my right arm because I'm convinced there are bigger veins there since I am right handed.

The majority of the hook ups and meds are screw caps. They rarely give out syringes anymore, you don't even have to draw your own saline flushes and heparin anymore! It's all pre-mixed/packaged, and ready to go int he syringe.

tara · Sep 19, 2007

Hi Jennifer,

It's changed SO much in the last 10 years. With my home health agency there are no needles whatsoever, unless I am using a medication that I need to draw out of a vial, like the anti-nausea drug, Zofran. As far as antibiotics go, decide how you would like to be hooked up. A lot of drugs now come in the "home pump" grenade style. You just twist the cap on, put the meds in your pocket and head out to the mall! Of course they still have the syringe type pumps that run on battery as well, but I find those heavy and bulky, plus I'm always setting it down on the counter and walking away from it, *crash!* LOL

As far as getting the PICC placed, I hate it as much as the next. I get mine done via IR. (interventional radiology??? I think) Basically they bring you to an operating room type setting. They use ultrasound to find the vein and xray when you're all done to make sure it's placed properly. Not only that, but I also ask for the double lumen. That way if I have two drugs on the same schedule I can run them at the same time. Saves me time while chasing after the kids! The part that hurts the worst is the lidocane shot to numb the area. I get my PICCs as high as possible, near my arm pit so I can easily hid everything under a t-shirt. I also use my right arm because I'm convinced there are bigger veins there since I am right handed.

The majority of the hook ups and meds are screw caps. They rarely give out syringes anymore, you don't even have to draw your own saline flushes and heparin anymore! It's all pre-mixed/packaged, and ready to go int he syringe.

stillkicking · Sep 19, 2007

Congrats on avoiding the inevitable for so long! That's a great streak. Not too much too worry about. For the PICC line they'll numb the site so you won't feel the big needle. The only thing you might feel is pressure as they thread the line up and that can be pretty uncomfortable. (However, I have really small veins so maybe I'm not the best one to talk.) Once the line is in place you're good to go. All the med connections are done without needles, so you probably won't have to touch a needle yourself, but they'll come after you for blood draws to check your drug levels. Good luck, hope all goes well.

stillkicking · Sep 19, 2007

Congrats on avoiding the inevitable for so long! That's a great streak. Not too much too worry about. For the PICC line they'll numb the site so you won't feel the big needle. The only thing you might feel is pressure as they thread the line up and that can be pretty uncomfortable. (However, I have really small veins so maybe I'm not the best one to talk.) Once the line is in place you're good to go. All the med connections are done without needles, so you probably won't have to touch a needle yourself, but they'll come after you for blood draws to check your drug levels. Good luck, hope all goes well.

stillkicking · Sep 19, 2007

Congrats on avoiding the inevitable for so long! That's a great streak. Not too much too worry about. For the PICC line they'll numb the site so you won't feel the big needle. The only thing you might feel is pressure as they thread the line up and that can be pretty uncomfortable. (However, I have really small veins so maybe I'm not the best one to talk.) Once the line is in place you're good to go. All the med connections are done without needles, so you probably won't have to touch a needle yourself, but they'll come after you for blood draws to check your drug levels. Good luck, hope all goes well.

stillkicking · Sep 19, 2007

Congrats on avoiding the inevitable for so long! That's a great streak. Not too much too worry about. For the PICC line they'll numb the site so you won't feel the big needle. The only thing you might feel is pressure as they thread the line up and that can be pretty uncomfortable. (However, I have really small veins so maybe I'm not the best one to talk.) Once the line is in place you're good to go. All the med connections are done without needles, so you probably won't have to touch a needle yourself, but they'll come after you for blood draws to check your drug levels. Good luck, hope all goes well.

stillkicking · Sep 19, 2007

Congrats on avoiding the inevitable for so long! That's a great streak. Not too much too worry about. For the PICC line they'll numb the site so you won't feel the big needle. The only thing you might feel is pressure as they thread the line up and that can be pretty uncomfortable. (However, I have really small veins so maybe I'm not the best one to talk.) Once the line is in place you're good to go. All the med connections are done without needles, so you probably won't have to touch a needle yourself, but they'll come after you for blood draws to check your drug levels. Good luck, hope all goes well.

jodijp · Sep 19, 2007

Wow Jennifer, good for you for going so long between IVs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You didn't say if you are being admitted first for a couple of days to get you started. Even if you're not, they will most likely send a home health nurse to your house to instruct you how to use everything. It's really quite simplified now and has come a long way.

Depending on what drugs you are on will dictate what kind of device you'll need to dispense. Sometimes I have one drug in the self contained balls and the other in the syringe pump.

The biggest obstacle for me is timing my meds around my schedule. Mostly trying to get enough sleep between doses.

As far as the PICC, it's really not that big of a deal with lidocaine but even so I always stress a little too. I think that just goes along with the territory of being in a unfamiliar, sterile environment in radiology. And the procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes once you are all prepped.

Good luck, keep us posted as to how it went. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

jodijp · Sep 19, 2007

Wow Jennifer, good for you for going so long between IVs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You didn't say if you are being admitted first for a couple of days to get you started. Even if you're not, they will most likely send a home health nurse to your house to instruct you how to use everything. It's really quite simplified now and has come a long way.

Depending on what drugs you are on will dictate what kind of device you'll need to dispense. Sometimes I have one drug in the self contained balls and the other in the syringe pump.

The biggest obstacle for me is timing my meds around my schedule. Mostly trying to get enough sleep between doses.

As far as the PICC, it's really not that big of a deal with lidocaine but even so I always stress a little too. I think that just goes along with the territory of being in a unfamiliar, sterile environment in radiology. And the procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes once you are all prepped.

Good luck, keep us posted as to how it went. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

jodijp · Sep 19, 2007

Wow Jennifer, good for you for going so long between IVs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You didn't say if you are being admitted first for a couple of days to get you started. Even if you're not, they will most likely send a home health nurse to your house to instruct you how to use everything. It's really quite simplified now and has come a long way.

Depending on what drugs you are on will dictate what kind of device you'll need to dispense. Sometimes I have one drug in the self contained balls and the other in the syringe pump.

The biggest obstacle for me is timing my meds around my schedule. Mostly trying to get enough sleep between doses.

As far as the PICC, it's really not that big of a deal with lidocaine but even so I always stress a little too. I think that just goes along with the territory of being in a unfamiliar, sterile environment in radiology. And the procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes once you are all prepped.

Good luck, keep us posted as to how it went. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

jodijp · Sep 19, 2007

Wow Jennifer, good for you for going so long between IVs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You didn't say if you are being admitted first for a couple of days to get you started. Even if you're not, they will most likely send a home health nurse to your house to instruct you how to use everything. It's really quite simplified now and has come a long way.

Depending on what drugs you are on will dictate what kind of device you'll need to dispense. Sometimes I have one drug in the self contained balls and the other in the syringe pump.

The biggest obstacle for me is timing my meds around my schedule. Mostly trying to get enough sleep between doses.

As far as the PICC, it's really not that big of a deal with lidocaine but even so I always stress a little too. I think that just goes along with the territory of being in a unfamiliar, sterile environment in radiology. And the procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes once you are all prepped.

Good luck, keep us posted as to how it went. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

jodijp · Sep 19, 2007

Wow Jennifer, good for you for going so long between IVs. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

You didn't say if you are being admitted first for a couple of days to get you started. Even if you're not, they will most likely send a home health nurse to your house to instruct you how to use everything. It's really quite simplified now and has come a long way.

Depending on what drugs you are on will dictate what kind of device you'll need to dispense. Sometimes I have one drug in the self contained balls and the other in the syringe pump.

The biggest obstacle for me is timing my meds around my schedule. Mostly trying to get enough sleep between doses.

As far as the PICC, it's really not that big of a deal with lidocaine but even so I always stress a little too. I think that just goes along with the territory of being in a unfamiliar, sterile environment in radiology. And the procedure itself only takes about 10 minutes once you are all prepped.

Good luck, keep us posted as to how it went. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Getting a Picc Next Week

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