PICC lines

sue35

New member
So I am getting the dreaded PICC line on Tuesday. How long does it take to get. I read online it takes 4 to 5 hours to get one in and that seems really long to me.

Also, any showering tips. I tried washing my hair with one hand and that went terribly. I usually (only had one in my life though) put saran wrap over it.
 

sue35

New member
So I am getting the dreaded PICC line on Tuesday. How long does it take to get. I read online it takes 4 to 5 hours to get one in and that seems really long to me.

Also, any showering tips. I tried washing my hair with one hand and that went terribly. I usually (only had one in my life though) put saran wrap over it.
 

sue35

New member
So I am getting the dreaded PICC line on Tuesday. How long does it take to get. I read online it takes 4 to 5 hours to get one in and that seems really long to me.

Also, any showering tips. I tried washing my hair with one hand and that went terribly. I usually (only had one in my life though) put saran wrap over it.
 

Emily65Roses

New member
4-5 hours is a huge exaggeration. PICCs I got (even ones that resisted and were extra trouble) never took more than an hour.

As for showering, with a PICC, I don't. I bathe and wash myself and make whoever I'm dating wash my hair for me. If you want to know how to shower with a <b>port</b>, I'm your woman. Haha. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 

Emily65Roses

New member
4-5 hours is a huge exaggeration. PICCs I got (even ones that resisted and were extra trouble) never took more than an hour.

As for showering, with a PICC, I don't. I bathe and wash myself and make whoever I'm dating wash my hair for me. If you want to know how to shower with a <b>port</b>, I'm your woman. Haha. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 

Emily65Roses

New member
4-5 hours is a huge exaggeration. PICCs I got (even ones that resisted and were extra trouble) never took more than an hour.

As for showering, with a PICC, I don't. I bathe and wash myself and make whoever I'm dating wash my hair for me. If you want to know how to shower with a <b>port</b>, I'm your woman. Haha. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 

coltsfan715

New member
Usually with PICCs they take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hr to insert. That is from the time they take me in the procedure room to the time they are rolling me out.

What usually takes a while is actually getting them to get you in for the PICC. By that I mean if you are admitted to some hospitals around here it can be days before they get the IV team to either come to your room to do the PICC ... or if you are a hard stick like me it can take days for them to take you to radiology to have the PICC inserted.

Again though the ACTUAL procedure - barring any problems - should take between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The longest it has taken for me to get one inserted was just over an hr and that was with them having to stick me 4 times to get the line in.


Take Care and Good luck with the PICC.
Lindsey
 

coltsfan715

New member
Usually with PICCs they take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hr to insert. That is from the time they take me in the procedure room to the time they are rolling me out.

What usually takes a while is actually getting them to get you in for the PICC. By that I mean if you are admitted to some hospitals around here it can be days before they get the IV team to either come to your room to do the PICC ... or if you are a hard stick like me it can take days for them to take you to radiology to have the PICC inserted.

Again though the ACTUAL procedure - barring any problems - should take between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The longest it has taken for me to get one inserted was just over an hr and that was with them having to stick me 4 times to get the line in.


Take Care and Good luck with the PICC.
Lindsey
 

coltsfan715

New member
Usually with PICCs they take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hr to insert. That is from the time they take me in the procedure room to the time they are rolling me out.

What usually takes a while is actually getting them to get you in for the PICC. By that I mean if you are admitted to some hospitals around here it can be days before they get the IV team to either come to your room to do the PICC ... or if you are a hard stick like me it can take days for them to take you to radiology to have the PICC inserted.

Again though the ACTUAL procedure - barring any problems - should take between 30 minutes to 1 hour.

The longest it has taken for me to get one inserted was just over an hr and that was with them having to stick me 4 times to get the line in.


Take Care and Good luck with the PICC.
Lindsey
 

JennifersHope

New member
My PICC lines usually take about a half hour from start to finish...

As far as showering, my dad wraps my arm in saran wrap, and then we tape it with electric tape to keep the water from getting in.. I take the arm right into the shower with me. and I have never had any problem with it before..

They do sell wraps that you can get that are made for swimming and showering with a PICC line, just goggle it. and you will find it

Good luck

Jennifer
 

JennifersHope

New member
My PICC lines usually take about a half hour from start to finish...

As far as showering, my dad wraps my arm in saran wrap, and then we tape it with electric tape to keep the water from getting in.. I take the arm right into the shower with me. and I have never had any problem with it before..

They do sell wraps that you can get that are made for swimming and showering with a PICC line, just goggle it. and you will find it

Good luck

Jennifer
 

JennifersHope

New member
My PICC lines usually take about a half hour from start to finish...

As far as showering, my dad wraps my arm in saran wrap, and then we tape it with electric tape to keep the water from getting in.. I take the arm right into the shower with me. and I have never had any problem with it before..

They do sell wraps that you can get that are made for swimming and showering with a PICC line, just goggle it. and you will find it

Good luck

Jennifer
 

coltsfan715

New member
I forgot to add how I cover it when I shower.

I usually get tape from the nurses and just get a biohazard bag or a gallon size ziploc bag. I cut a slit in the non - zippy end of the bag and slide my arm through the holes. Then tape it onto my arm. It is usually the perfect length for my arm and the PICC dressing. It is the option that works best for me - but I have never tried saran wrap.

Lindsey
 

coltsfan715

New member
I forgot to add how I cover it when I shower.

I usually get tape from the nurses and just get a biohazard bag or a gallon size ziploc bag. I cut a slit in the non - zippy end of the bag and slide my arm through the holes. Then tape it onto my arm. It is usually the perfect length for my arm and the PICC dressing. It is the option that works best for me - but I have never tried saran wrap.

Lindsey
 

coltsfan715

New member
I forgot to add how I cover it when I shower.

I usually get tape from the nurses and just get a biohazard bag or a gallon size ziploc bag. I cut a slit in the non - zippy end of the bag and slide my arm through the holes. Then tape it onto my arm. It is usually the perfect length for my arm and the PICC dressing. It is the option that works best for me - but I have never tried saran wrap.

Lindsey
 

Chaggie

New member
I got mine on Thursday, and that was how long it took for the entire thing. That also included doing the first doses of IV's and then observation after. The PICC itself took about 30 min.

As for Showering I got a Seal Tight Cast and Bandage protector at a medical supply store. Here's a <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.drnelsonclinic.com/cast_cover.htm">Link</a> for them.
 

Chaggie

New member
I got mine on Thursday, and that was how long it took for the entire thing. That also included doing the first doses of IV's and then observation after. The PICC itself took about 30 min.

As for Showering I got a Seal Tight Cast and Bandage protector at a medical supply store. Here's a <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.drnelsonclinic.com/cast_cover.htm">Link</a> for them.
 
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