Question PICC line/Vest Therapy

C

coltsfan715

New member
Hey there guys

For those of you that don't know I was admitted to the hospital on Friday of last week. I am now home with my PICC (like it is a toy lol) and taking home IVs and doing all the nebs and therapies. Well I am using the vest this time at home instead of having manual CPT which I usually get when I am on IVs. I am noticing that I am having some muscle tightness and discomfort in the arm that my PICC is in and in my shoulder (also where the PICC is) when I do the vest. I do not have problems at any other time - ONLY when doing the vest. It is not excruciating pain or anything so don't get the wrong impression just highly uncomfortable. I really can't lower the volume on the vest because it is already at 3 and it is still uncomfy - okay well I CAN but I would prefer not too because I don't think I would be getting any benefit from the vest if I lowered it more.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on this or if anyone experienced this when they had a PICC if they use the vest.

Also to add ... I am hoping to get a handheld percussor soon. They used one on me in the hospital - I must say it was the first time I have ever had a percussor used on me for CPT. I LOVED it and have asked the doc if I could get one for the house. They are in the process of getting it approved through insurance and getting it to me. That will be a few days though - so I am here with the vest until then.

Thanks if anyone can offer any advice on the situation.

Thanks
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Hey there guys

For those of you that don't know I was admitted to the hospital on Friday of last week. I am now home with my PICC (like it is a toy lol) and taking home IVs and doing all the nebs and therapies. Well I am using the vest this time at home instead of having manual CPT which I usually get when I am on IVs. I am noticing that I am having some muscle tightness and discomfort in the arm that my PICC is in and in my shoulder (also where the PICC is) when I do the vest. I do not have problems at any other time - ONLY when doing the vest. It is not excruciating pain or anything so don't get the wrong impression just highly uncomfortable. I really can't lower the volume on the vest because it is already at 3 and it is still uncomfy - okay well I CAN but I would prefer not too because I don't think I would be getting any benefit from the vest if I lowered it more.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on this or if anyone experienced this when they had a PICC if they use the vest.

Also to add ... I am hoping to get a handheld percussor soon. They used one on me in the hospital - I must say it was the first time I have ever had a percussor used on me for CPT. I LOVED it and have asked the doc if I could get one for the house. They are in the process of getting it approved through insurance and getting it to me. That will be a few days though - so I am here with the vest until then.

Thanks if anyone can offer any advice on the situation.

Thanks
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Hey there guys

For those of you that don't know I was admitted to the hospital on Friday of last week. I am now home with my PICC (like it is a toy lol) and taking home IVs and doing all the nebs and therapies. Well I am using the vest this time at home instead of having manual CPT which I usually get when I am on IVs. I am noticing that I am having some muscle tightness and discomfort in the arm that my PICC is in and in my shoulder (also where the PICC is) when I do the vest. I do not have problems at any other time - ONLY when doing the vest. It is not excruciating pain or anything so don't get the wrong impression just highly uncomfortable. I really can't lower the volume on the vest because it is already at 3 and it is still uncomfy - okay well I CAN but I would prefer not too because I don't think I would be getting any benefit from the vest if I lowered it more.

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on this or if anyone experienced this when they had a PICC if they use the vest.

Also to add ... I am hoping to get a handheld percussor soon. They used one on me in the hospital - I must say it was the first time I have ever had a percussor used on me for CPT. I LOVED it and have asked the doc if I could get one for the house. They are in the process of getting it approved through insurance and getting it to me. That will be a few days though - so I am here with the vest until then.

Thanks if anyone can offer any advice on the situation.

Thanks
Lindsey
 
M

my65roses4me

New member
<span style=" font-size: x-small;">I am glad you are home now! Its
better to be home than in the hospital that's for sure! I also
would like to have a handheld percussor at home, I personally think
they work better than the vest. I don't have any ideas about the
Pic Line because I have a port-o-cath. I just wanted to say welcome
home!!
 
M

my65roses4me

New member
<span style=" font-size: x-small;">I am glad you are home now! Its
better to be home than in the hospital that's for sure! I also
would like to have a handheld percussor at home, I personally think
they work better than the vest. I don't have any ideas about the
Pic Line because I have a port-o-cath. I just wanted to say welcome
home!!
 
M

my65roses4me

New member
<span style=" font-size: x-small;">I am glad you are home now! Its
better to be home than in the hospital that's for sure! I also
would like to have a handheld percussor at home, I personally think
they work better than the vest. I don't have any ideas about the
Pic Line because I have a port-o-cath. I just wanted to say welcome
home!!
 
T

tonrsoul82

New member
Last year or so I have been on PICC lines.  In the hospital I
take my vest in use it their.  Never had the tightness you
talked about.
 
T

tonrsoul82

New member
Last year or so I have been on PICC lines.  In the hospital I
take my vest in use it their.  Never had the tightness you
talked about.
 
T

tonrsoul82

New member
Last year or so I have been on PICC lines.  In the hospital I
take my vest in use it their.  Never had the tightness you
talked about.
 
A

Augustmom0003

New member
Hey Lindsey...I don't have much info on the vest <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> but is the percussor you're talking about the rubber/plasic kind? If so, Ethan's hospital has given me a couple...and I know I could probably get more if that's what you're looking for. Not too sure <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> That the only thing (besides a baby oxygen mask they gave us at diagnosis) that we've used on Ethan manually.


<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">)
 
A

Augustmom0003

New member
Hey Lindsey...I don't have much info on the vest <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> but is the percussor you're talking about the rubber/plasic kind? If so, Ethan's hospital has given me a couple...and I know I could probably get more if that's what you're looking for. Not too sure <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> That the only thing (besides a baby oxygen mask they gave us at diagnosis) that we've used on Ethan manually.


<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">)
 
A

Augustmom0003

New member
Hey Lindsey...I don't have much info on the vest <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> but is the percussor you're talking about the rubber/plasic kind? If so, Ethan's hospital has given me a couple...and I know I could probably get more if that's what you're looking for. Not too sure <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> That the only thing (besides a baby oxygen mask they gave us at diagnosis) that we've used on Ethan manually.


<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">)
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Khristina,

Thanks for the welcome back <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">. Does the vest interfere with your port at all? Where is your port - if you don't mind me asking?

I am curious as my doc suggested I may want to consider getting a port at my next hospitalization - since he is wanting to try putting me on IVs every few months to get me going on the right track healthwise. He said for me it would most likely be placed under my clavicle in my upper chest area. I don't know much if anything about ports - I have talked with Emily a little bit not too too much. I just didn't know if the vest was uncomfy or if you had problems with using the vest with the port.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Khristina,

Thanks for the welcome back <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">. Does the vest interfere with your port at all? Where is your port - if you don't mind me asking?

I am curious as my doc suggested I may want to consider getting a port at my next hospitalization - since he is wanting to try putting me on IVs every few months to get me going on the right track healthwise. He said for me it would most likely be placed under my clavicle in my upper chest area. I don't know much if anything about ports - I have talked with Emily a little bit not too too much. I just didn't know if the vest was uncomfy or if you had problems with using the vest with the port.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Khristina,

Thanks for the welcome back <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">. Does the vest interfere with your port at all? Where is your port - if you don't mind me asking?

I am curious as my doc suggested I may want to consider getting a port at my next hospitalization - since he is wanting to try putting me on IVs every few months to get me going on the right track healthwise. He said for me it would most likely be placed under my clavicle in my upper chest area. I don't know much if anything about ports - I have talked with Emily a little bit not too too much. I just didn't know if the vest was uncomfy or if you had problems with using the vest with the port.

Take Care,
Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Amanda,

I know what you are talking about with the mask type thing for CPT. That is not what I am talking of however. In the hospital they had handheld machine that hooked into the air supply and it used compressed air to vibrate and percuss your back and sides. I hope the link below works because it shows pretty much exactly what they used on me at the hospital.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.medsystems.com/model2500.html">handheld percussor</a>

It was awesome and I like it much more than the vest and honestly - more than manual CPT which has always been my prefered form of CPT.

Lindsey

Edited to add: the percussor I get for the house will not be the same thing as I don't have the air supply and all that the machine needs. There are percussors that have regular outlet hookups for use. Who knows I don't know much about them I am still in the process of getting it worked out with the social worker and insurance to get it covered and get one I will know more as time passes.
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Amanda,

I know what you are talking about with the mask type thing for CPT. That is not what I am talking of however. In the hospital they had handheld machine that hooked into the air supply and it used compressed air to vibrate and percuss your back and sides. I hope the link below works because it shows pretty much exactly what they used on me at the hospital.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.medsystems.com/model2500.html">handheld percussor</a>

It was awesome and I like it much more than the vest and honestly - more than manual CPT which has always been my prefered form of CPT.

Lindsey

Edited to add: the percussor I get for the house will not be the same thing as I don't have the air supply and all that the machine needs. There are percussors that have regular outlet hookups for use. Who knows I don't know much about them I am still in the process of getting it worked out with the social worker and insurance to get it covered and get one I will know more as time passes.
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
Amanda,

I know what you are talking about with the mask type thing for CPT. That is not what I am talking of however. In the hospital they had handheld machine that hooked into the air supply and it used compressed air to vibrate and percuss your back and sides. I hope the link below works because it shows pretty much exactly what they used on me at the hospital.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.medsystems.com/model2500.html">handheld percussor</a>

It was awesome and I like it much more than the vest and honestly - more than manual CPT which has always been my prefered form of CPT.

Lindsey

Edited to add: the percussor I get for the house will not be the same thing as I don't have the air supply and all that the machine needs. There are percussors that have regular outlet hookups for use. Who knows I don't know much about them I am still in the process of getting it worked out with the social worker and insurance to get it covered and get one I will know more as time passes.
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
Hey,

Yeah I get it too with my PICC-its more of an uncomfortableness than anything else, but I wish I could say something that has helped me! Just wanted to say you're not the only one, and I don't thing you're doing anything to hurt it.

If you got it inserted only a few days ago, then its probably understandable-they had to tear through your muscle to get to a deep vein, then dig and prod to get the line in and up, and push a metal wire up your arm-now you're essentially vibrating a bad muscle tear. (the iv surgeon explained this all to me once, and it made perfect sense when I thought about it that way, but gory)<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

From what i understand, as long as there is no warming of that area-which can mean infection, but I'm sure you know all that, a little uncomfortablenss is ok.

But sucks!
 
S

Scarlett81

New member
Hey,

Yeah I get it too with my PICC-its more of an uncomfortableness than anything else, but I wish I could say something that has helped me! Just wanted to say you're not the only one, and I don't thing you're doing anything to hurt it.

If you got it inserted only a few days ago, then its probably understandable-they had to tear through your muscle to get to a deep vein, then dig and prod to get the line in and up, and push a metal wire up your arm-now you're essentially vibrating a bad muscle tear. (the iv surgeon explained this all to me once, and it made perfect sense when I thought about it that way, but gory)<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

From what i understand, as long as there is no warming of that area-which can mean infection, but I'm sure you know all that, a little uncomfortablenss is ok.

But sucks!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top