picc line or not to picc line?

[AGirlCanDream]

i totally agree Emily! and really they're not that freaky looking...they could be a hell of a lot worse. to not want a port for those reasons is just vainty (and there's nothing wrong with that!) but you see people in hospital with scars all over their bodies which makes you realise it ain't so gross!

they also make life soooo much easier, i got one when i was 10 so at that stage i didnt really care about what it looked like i just wanted something so my poor little veins got a break!

my boyfriend loves it as well and that is so true about others being freaked, i love showing people, or telling them its something else, and seeing their reactions! gives you a good laugh!

 

[Beowulf]

Thanks for the input. I can't say I know too much more about porta-caths than what you all have told me. I have had about a dozen or more mid-lines and PICC lines and I have been lucky that I have only scared twice, and the scares are minute. Unfortunately, with all those lines, my veins are scared on the inside, and as a result, I may have to consider a porta-cath the next time I am hospitalized. The Frankenstein thing is my own hang up, and is more metaphorical than physical. This disease has taken so much from me (and others), I hate giving into it in any regard. Thanks guys.

 

[Emily65Roses]

Beowulf, that makes sense. I completely understand not wanting to givev in, but look at it this way... If your veins are scarred and you start having a LOT of trouble placing PICCs, in the end, that's more trouble than the port. So continuing to try with PICCs is giving in more so than the port, which in the end, is generally easier. Wow, that kind of didn't make sense. I hope you get the point. Heh.

 

[terber]

Although getting PICCs can sometimes suck, I also would much rather have it than get a port. I already have a G-Tube and I would like to try and have as little plastic sticking out of my body as possible. The G-Tube already makes me self-conscious enough and a port wouldnt make it any better...I'll get stuck as many times as possible before resorting to the port. Getting the PICC done by interventional radiology is the best way to go if you have trouble with IV starts too...They numb ya all up!!! Plus, they can get a better sense of where to stick ya!

 

[anonymous]

I agree with Princess, i hate my picc line, it's my first one and it was put in just yesterday and i already hate it.. I thought my mid line was bad, they actually made me cry while trying to put it in cause they tried three times and i was so nervous and then they really stabbed me and then i started to cry my nerves couldn't take it any more. Now i have a huge bruise on my arm and it's really sore i can barely move it. A lot of people i'm sure don't have as bad experiences but i did and i don't think i would concider another one an di can't wait until they take this one out.

Ashley 20w/cf

 

[65rosesgirl]

Picc lines work great for me their less painfull than an iv when i had a regular iv in my hand the medicine was so strong it burned really bad , but with the picc it didnt and the only bad thing is its hard to take a shower with a picc because your not suposed to get it wet... i wish you the best!

 

[vickysmommy]

I think there's bad things about both piccs and regular IVs. The Piccs kind of make my arm sore and I hate that, for the first few days you cant really bend your arm cause its uncomfortable. But with regular IVs they get sore after a while if you dont change them at the right time, and Im used to getting poked and everything but still dont enjoy it very much. But all in all I thing the regular ones are the best

 

[anonymous]

hey luke,
picc lines are the way to go! i work full time too and when i need a tune up, i get my picc line inserted and i am back to work. you dont have to worry about air in the lines, someone taking care of you...etc.
it is so easy. i cant stress it enough.
good luck and i hope you feel better.
jessica 28 w cf nyc