PICC vs Port

[JustDucky]

I am a port fan too...mine was just removed after two years due to staph sepsis, but I fully intend to get another one once my blood and lungs are cleared, this time a double lumen meaning it will have a double barrel so that there will be two access sites. When I go in for IV's I am on so many, it will make it easier on myself to be able to run two IV's at once than to have someone come in throughout the night infusing one after another!!! At the present moment I have a PICC line for the duration of my IV's...the problem with me and PICC's is that they ultimately become bacteremic, meaning I don't have signs of sepsis but my blood cultures come back positive. I react with the material that the PICCs are made of, making my skin all sensitive and weepy at the insertion site...bacteria have a party with these conditions!

I was actually relieved to get a port, to me it meant more independence as far as my IV's went. No having a special team coming in to access as they do with picks...one good cleaning and insertion of the needle into the port and voila! Instant access. Made my life much easier in that respect. As others have said, the surgery itself is quick. Of course there are complications with any surgery, but for the most part they run smooth. Yes, you are a bit sore for awhile after surgery, those first accesses smart a little but after regular use, you barely feel it being accessed.

Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JustDucky]

I am a port fan too...mine was just removed after two years due to staph sepsis, but I fully intend to get another one once my blood and lungs are cleared, this time a double lumen meaning it will have a double barrel so that there will be two access sites. When I go in for IV's I am on so many, it will make it easier on myself to be able to run two IV's at once than to have someone come in throughout the night infusing one after another!!! At the present moment I have a PICC line for the duration of my IV's...the problem with me and PICC's is that they ultimately become bacteremic, meaning I don't have signs of sepsis but my blood cultures come back positive. I react with the material that the PICCs are made of, making my skin all sensitive and weepy at the insertion site...bacteria have a party with these conditions!

I was actually relieved to get a port, to me it meant more independence as far as my IV's went. No having a special team coming in to access as they do with picks...one good cleaning and insertion of the needle into the port and voila! Instant access. Made my life much easier in that respect. As others have said, the surgery itself is quick. Of course there are complications with any surgery, but for the most part they run smooth. Yes, you are a bit sore for awhile after surgery, those first accesses smart a little but after regular use, you barely feel it being accessed.

Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JustDucky]

I am a port fan too...mine was just removed after two years due to staph sepsis, but I fully intend to get another one once my blood and lungs are cleared, this time a double lumen meaning it will have a double barrel so that there will be two access sites. When I go in for IV's I am on so many, it will make it easier on myself to be able to run two IV's at once than to have someone come in throughout the night infusing one after another!!! At the present moment I have a PICC line for the duration of my IV's...the problem with me and PICC's is that they ultimately become bacteremic, meaning I don't have signs of sepsis but my blood cultures come back positive. I react with the material that the PICCs are made of, making my skin all sensitive and weepy at the insertion site...bacteria have a party with these conditions!

I was actually relieved to get a port, to me it meant more independence as far as my IV's went. No having a special team coming in to access as they do with picks...one good cleaning and insertion of the needle into the port and voila! Instant access. Made my life much easier in that respect. As others have said, the surgery itself is quick. Of course there are complications with any surgery, but for the most part they run smooth. Yes, you are a bit sore for awhile after surgery, those first accesses smart a little but after regular use, you barely feel it being accessed.

Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JustDucky]

I am a port fan too...mine was just removed after two years due to staph sepsis, but I fully intend to get another one once my blood and lungs are cleared, this time a double lumen meaning it will have a double barrel so that there will be two access sites. When I go in for IV's I am on so many, it will make it easier on myself to be able to run two IV's at once than to have someone come in throughout the night infusing one after another!!! At the present moment I have a PICC line for the duration of my IV's...the problem with me and PICC's is that they ultimately become bacteremic, meaning I don't have signs of sepsis but my blood cultures come back positive. I react with the material that the PICCs are made of, making my skin all sensitive and weepy at the insertion site...bacteria have a party with these conditions!

I was actually relieved to get a port, to me it meant more independence as far as my IV's went. No having a special team coming in to access as they do with picks...one good cleaning and insertion of the needle into the port and voila! Instant access. Made my life much easier in that respect. As others have said, the surgery itself is quick. Of course there are complications with any surgery, but for the most part they run smooth. Yes, you are a bit sore for awhile after surgery, those first accesses smart a little but after regular use, you barely feel it being accessed.

Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JustDucky]

I am a port fan too...mine was just removed after two years due to staph sepsis, but I fully intend to get another one once my blood and lungs are cleared, this time a double lumen meaning it will have a double barrel so that there will be two access sites. When I go in for IV's I am on so many, it will make it easier on myself to be able to run two IV's at once than to have someone come in throughout the night infusing one after another!!! At the present moment I have a PICC line for the duration of my IV's...the problem with me and PICC's is that they ultimately become bacteremic, meaning I don't have signs of sepsis but my blood cultures come back positive. I react with the material that the PICCs are made of, making my skin all sensitive and weepy at the insertion site...bacteria have a party with these conditions!

I was actually relieved to get a port, to me it meant more independence as far as my IV's went. No having a special team coming in to access as they do with picks...one good cleaning and insertion of the needle into the port and voila! Instant access. Made my life much easier in that respect. As others have said, the surgery itself is quick. Of course there are complications with any surgery, but for the most part they run smooth. Yes, you are a bit sore for awhile after surgery, those first accesses smart a little but after regular use, you barely feel it being accessed.

Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[jodijp]

I surely do appreciate all your insight and <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0"> of your ports! I'm so glad I asked for all of your opinions, and you have certainly shed a different light in helping me make a decision.

Thanks Lauren for linking to your slideshow - very informative and interesting. First time I've ever seen a port and I think just seeing you access it takes away all the 'mystery'. Such a wonderful, educational tool, making your slideshow available to newby's like me.

Thanks again to all - you guys are just awesome!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[jodijp]

I surely do appreciate all your insight and <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0"> of your ports! I'm so glad I asked for all of your opinions, and you have certainly shed a different light in helping me make a decision.

Thanks Lauren for linking to your slideshow - very informative and interesting. First time I've ever seen a port and I think just seeing you access it takes away all the 'mystery'. Such a wonderful, educational tool, making your slideshow available to newby's like me.

Thanks again to all - you guys are just awesome!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[jodijp]

I surely do appreciate all your insight and <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0"> of your ports! I'm so glad I asked for all of your opinions, and you have certainly shed a different light in helping me make a decision.

Thanks Lauren for linking to your slideshow - very informative and interesting. First time I've ever seen a port and I think just seeing you access it takes away all the 'mystery'. Such a wonderful, educational tool, making your slideshow available to newby's like me.

Thanks again to all - you guys are just awesome!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[jodijp]

I surely do appreciate all your insight and <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0"> of your ports! I'm so glad I asked for all of your opinions, and you have certainly shed a different light in helping me make a decision.

Thanks Lauren for linking to your slideshow - very informative and interesting. First time I've ever seen a port and I think just seeing you access it takes away all the 'mystery'. Such a wonderful, educational tool, making your slideshow available to newby's like me.

Thanks again to all - you guys are just awesome!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[jodijp]

I surely do appreciate all your insight and <img src="i/expressions/heart.gif" border="0"> of your ports! I'm so glad I asked for all of your opinions, and you have certainly shed a different light in helping me make a decision.

Thanks Lauren for linking to your slideshow - very informative and interesting. First time I've ever seen a port and I think just seeing you access it takes away all the 'mystery'. Such a wonderful, educational tool, making your slideshow available to newby's like me.

Thanks again to all - you guys are just awesome!!!! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

 

[Faust]

I'm just curious. Why does everyone go PICC line, when for many people, a MID-line can do the same thing? The last few times I was in, I always went midline, and it always lasted me 2-3 weeks. A PICC to me is just WAY too close to my heart. If you get an infection or some other weirdness, it's literally right at the entrance of one of your hearts ventricles...No thanks here.

 

[Faust]

I'm just curious. Why does everyone go PICC line, when for many people, a MID-line can do the same thing? The last few times I was in, I always went midline, and it always lasted me 2-3 weeks. A PICC to me is just WAY too close to my heart. If you get an infection or some other weirdness, it's literally right at the entrance of one of your hearts ventricles...No thanks here.

 

[Faust]

I'm just curious. Why does everyone go PICC line, when for many people, a MID-line can do the same thing? The last few times I was in, I always went midline, and it always lasted me 2-3 weeks. A PICC to me is just WAY too close to my heart. If you get an infection or some other weirdness, it's literally right at the entrance of one of your hearts ventricles...No thanks here.

 

[Faust]

I'm just curious. Why does everyone go PICC line, when for many people, a MID-line can do the same thing? The last few times I was in, I always went midline, and it always lasted me 2-3 weeks. A PICC to me is just WAY too close to my heart. If you get an infection or some other weirdness, it's literally right at the entrance of one of your hearts ventricles...No thanks here.

 

[Faust]

I'm just curious. Why does everyone go PICC line, when for many people, a MID-line can do the same thing? The last few times I was in, I always went midline, and it always lasted me 2-3 weeks. A PICC to me is just WAY too close to my heart. If you get an infection or some other weirdness, it's literally right at the entrance of one of your hearts ventricles...No thanks here.

 

[lightNlife]

Midlines are designed to last only for a week to a month. PICC lines are designed to last up to 6 months. That's the difference. Also, the concentration of the medication and its osmolarity and pH determines whether a PICC or midline should be used.

Also, the difference is that there's less chance of a blockage, vein collapse or clot forming in a PICC than there is with a mid-line. Thrombosis is more likely with a midline depending on where it's placed. If it doesn't tie into a subclavian vein, the risk of clots is much higher.

 

[lightNlife]

Midlines are designed to last only for a week to a month. PICC lines are designed to last up to 6 months. That's the difference. Also, the concentration of the medication and its osmolarity and pH determines whether a PICC or midline should be used.

Also, the difference is that there's less chance of a blockage, vein collapse or clot forming in a PICC than there is with a mid-line. Thrombosis is more likely with a midline depending on where it's placed. If it doesn't tie into a subclavian vein, the risk of clots is much higher.

 

[lightNlife]

Midlines are designed to last only for a week to a month. PICC lines are designed to last up to 6 months. That's the difference. Also, the concentration of the medication and its osmolarity and pH determines whether a PICC or midline should be used.

Also, the difference is that there's less chance of a blockage, vein collapse or clot forming in a PICC than there is with a mid-line. Thrombosis is more likely with a midline depending on where it's placed. If it doesn't tie into a subclavian vein, the risk of clots is much higher.

 

[lightNlife]

Midlines are designed to last only for a week to a month. PICC lines are designed to last up to 6 months. That's the difference. Also, the concentration of the medication and its osmolarity and pH determines whether a PICC or midline should be used.

Also, the difference is that there's less chance of a blockage, vein collapse or clot forming in a PICC than there is with a mid-line. Thrombosis is more likely with a midline depending on where it's placed. If it doesn't tie into a subclavian vein, the risk of clots is much higher.

 

[lightNlife]

Midlines are designed to last only for a week to a month. PICC lines are designed to last up to 6 months. That's the difference. Also, the concentration of the medication and its osmolarity and pH determines whether a PICC or midline should be used.

Also, the difference is that there's less chance of a blockage, vein collapse or clot forming in a PICC than there is with a mid-line. Thrombosis is more likely with a midline depending on where it's placed. If it doesn't tie into a subclavian vein, the risk of clots is much higher.