picc line or not to picc line?

[luke]

Hey,

I did PFT's yesterday and they suck so I am going to serve my 3 week IV time. As many of you know I work full time and WILL NOT take off while doing IV's. In the past I have always just used regular IV's. I am fortunate that my wife is a nurse and she does all of my IV insertions. I guess my question is, Do you find that picc lines are easier to deal with in daily life? I am not afraid of needles and have no problems getting stuck, I was just wondering if they are "easier" than regular lines. My regular lines are always getting in the way at work and I have to cover them to prevent getting bombarded with questions!


luke 29/cf

 

[shamrock]

I remember before I got my port, picc lines were good. But if you dont mind getting your iv changed a lot then i guess it doesnt matter! I had picc lines a good few years ago though so maybe things are differdent now..

 

[anonymous]

Luke,
I also work (part time) in an office situation & I have always had PICC lines. It beats having to replace the other ones every 2-3 days & the PICC lines that I've had are in my upper arm, so they're always concealed by clothing, etc.
For me, the PICC lines work better. Just an FYI: If you do get a PICC, your arm will be very tender at the insertion site for the first few days.
Good luck w/ what you decide<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[shamrock]

Yes and as always..keep us updated!!

 

[Emily65Roses]

PICC lines did NOT like me at all. I had a few over maybe two years, and then they gave up real fast. Now I have a port. Some people react fine to PICC lines, and if that's the case with you, and they work, and you're satisfied with them, then stick with 'em. But for me, the port is much easier to deal with for daily life, even beyond the fact that PICCs hated me. With the port there's a lot more personal freedom, as you can learn to access and dress it yourself.

 

[NoDayButToday]

I'm the opposite of Emily. I've had no trouble with PICCs at all *knock wood*. I've had... probably 10 at least, and no problems with them, except once in the hospital it clotted when a nurse claimed it didn't need a heparin flush because it had a valve, but I knew it did despite the valve, and they didn't listen. That's been it though. They are very convenient, and because I have sooo much trouble with regular IV lines, it's been a great thing for me.

One thing I have to say is that after 10 lines, they are having more trouble placing them. Probably because I have had 5 in the past 18 months or so.

 

[anonymous]

if you dont have problems with veins or getting piccs in they are no trouble...you still have the pain of bathing, and if they are yup in the arm around the elbow area they are kinda out of the way...still have a thing sticking out of your arm...(remember there is no needle left in the arm just a soft catheter)....but what i found helpful when i had piccs to keep them out of the way and more protected was ace bandages, or coflex (stuff like an ace bandage but sticks to itself but its not tape)...and i wraped my arm up...kept the iv line secure and from catching on stuff.

 

[Diane]

I absolutely do not like picc lines at all ! I usually have nothing but trouble with them, whether it be clotting , or having trouble getting them out, or having one go up in my jugular vein , i just dont like them. I had a regular iv once , last the whole 2 weeks. I know they are supposed to be removed every 3 days but it was fine , ran extremely well, didnt have any redness or swelling and felt great, so my nurse came out every 2 days and re - did the dressing and kept a good eye on it, and it actually lasted the whole 2 weeks. If only that would happen every time.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0"> When my doctor mentioned how it really SHOULD to be removed every three days i reminded him that when i was younger, they used regular "butterfly needles" Not soft catheters like they do now, and left them in as long as they would last without changing them and we didnt have any problems then. I just try to steer clear of piccs if i can. While i was hospitalized in Jan. i did have one put in my upper arm, that was stitched in, and it wasnt too bad, but it was a mid line, i refused to allow them to put a whole looooooong picc in. Ever since the time they couldnt get one to come out, i am afraid of the long ones so now i insist on midlines ( they only go up to the shoulder)
~Diane 40 / cf / diabetes / b.cepacia

 

[anonymous]

Diane,

I was hoping you would weigh in, I have decided against it. For no reason other than I love to pull out the aggravating things and go swim, run, shower, whatever? I will muddle through old school!

thanks for the input.

luke

 

[shamrock]

Luke thats cool that you can just take them out when you want!. Do you take them out everyday? Does your wife just put them back in again? I've never heard of that before. cool

 

[anonymous]

I love PICC lines since i have started getting them put in my interventional radiology. the picc line is place further up my arm, far from my elbow, so i have complete freedom. they are also smaller in the dressing and much more compact. I can give my medicine to myself also, as they just attack a longer piece to where the regular entry point it. then you just roll that piece up and tape it down when you are done and it lies flat. I prefer it because when the picc line is out, then its out, theres nothing foreign in my body!

Caitlin

 

[anonymous]

Hello
My daughter Kait is 8 years old and has 3 PICC lines since age 2. I think that they are great, she can still run, play and do normal things that 8 year olds do. She attends school and church with her line, the docs tell her not to run or participate in gym, but you try to keep an 8 year old down!!!

kaitsmom<img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[Sunny]

I love PICCs - compared to CVC's. I get very protective of a CVC, and the scar is bigger and more visible with dresses. - Not a problem for Luke probably. I go jogging and to the gym with my PICC - not combat or anything, but cardio and pump aerobics.
It's feels a bit funny at first, like it'll come out or something, but no problems physically - Sooo much better than peripheral lines - Local aneasthetic and valium make it heaps more pleasant!

 

[anonymous]

shamrock,

Not everyday, she gets irritated with me when I pull them out for no reason other than just because. But she loves me so she deals with my stubbornness. I have to mentally take a break, 3 weeks is a long time to be tied down. I actually tried lifting with them in once, it just came out. I always play basketball with them in, but.. my sweat is so salty it gets really itchy and I end up having it redressed anyway. It is just easier to be active without them in (of course).


Luke

 

[CheerColl]

Luke,

Instead of a PICC line are you just going to do a mid-line, or just a tiny IV? Or are you considering a port?

 

[anonymous]

colleen,

I am just going to go with the old fashion peripheral line. We place in it a spot where I can connect/disconnect them by myself, normally anywhere below my mid-forearm. We both work full time so it has to be a good spot because she isn't always home to restart. I had a porta-cath once but had it removed 7 years ago, before I met my wife. I had been fortunate enough not to need it anymore back then. Now I only use IV antibiotics every 8-12 months so it is not that bad. I will start them Tuesday....not looking forward to the hassle, but I am looking forward to feeling better. I am always so tired of doing them at the end I can hardly stand it!!!


Luke 29/cf

 

[Beowulf]

Pic lines are great, though be advised one can have only so many pic lines before their veins scar up and then you'll need a permanent sub-dermal IV lock, I think its called porta-cath. I am quickly approaching this point. I hate the concept of conceding to the disease in this way. Frankenstein was a good book, but I don't want to resemble the monster myself. This may sound insensitive to those who have a porta-cath, and I am sorry for this. But I will fight having one of those things for as long as I can.

 

[anonymous]

Luke,

I agree with having it a spot you can access yourself. Last time I was on IV's I had a midline (which goes into my arm just like a PICC line, but doesn't go up as far). So I was able to reach it and do all the meds and flushes all by myself. Oh yeah I should mention that I do home-care for IVs. I don't have to go in the hospital at all. The nurse comes and puts the line in, and the meds are delivered every few days. It helps me live as normal as possible.

GOOD LUCK, LUKE! I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT YOu!

 

[princesss]

I have so much trouble with PICC's. This is only my 3rd one but man I HATE them. Well to be honest it's the 1st 4 days or so that I can't handle. I've had mine in since Monday and I'm ok with it now one week later. They always have such trouble putting them in...it hurts SO much and I'm sore for days. I'm not sure if it's worth it for me, but some people swear by them. To each his/her own I guess.

 

[Emily65Roses]

I want to respond to Beowulf. Mind you, I'm not insulted, really, because I don't care what people think. But I need to counter the opinion so that people get a different side of it. The port is a bit odd, sure, but I love it. And here's why:

1. Much more convenient than PICCs.
2. You have more independence and self-reliance. You can access it yourself. You can take it out and shower when you need, as opposed to a PICC.
3. It's a very individualistic thing. My Mike loves it (just like my surgical scars) because it kind of tells a story about my life, what I've gone through, etc. And because it's very unique. He doesn't even see it anymore. And when I point it out, he still tells me he likes it, and I believe him.
4. It freaks people out, and let's face it... that's fun!!!

Just a better way to look at it, I think. If you don't like it, that's fine. But most of us get stuck with ports at some time, so might as well look at it in a more fun light. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">