Thursday, April 22, 2010

PICC Line Massacre

Pontificated by Unknown
Labels: , , ,

Comments (16)

Loading... Logging you in...
Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout
  • Logged in as
0 Vote up Vote down
Paige Schreiber's avatar - Go to profile

Paige Schreiber · 780 weeks ago

Hi Ronnie!!! i know sort of what you are going through. I have had so many PICC's in my right arm, i am unable to get them in my right arm anymore. I now have to get them in my left arm. When i as in the hospital in September, it took longer for them to get the PICC in my right arm because of the scar tissue i had. They had to pump dye through my veins. I like you don't want to get a Port. For me, when someone asks me, i feel that if i get a port it's almost like they're taking my freedom away. If that makes sence. Thanks for all your sharing. You are very inspirational. Thanks ~Paige
1 reply · active 780 weeks ago
Loading...
+1 Vote up Vote down
RunSickboyRun's avatar - Go to profile

RunSickboyRun 96p · 780 weeks ago

My left arm is shot and can no longer get PICCs :)
0 Vote up Vote down
Andrea's avatar - Go to profile

Andrea · 780 weeks ago

Due to being in a public computer lab, I'm not going to watch the video now, but I will when I get home. However, I do NOT like the title of this video! Or the fact that you're back in the hospital!!! RONNIE!! :[ Get well soon, bud.
0 Vote up Vote down
Heidi Karn Barker's avatar - Go to profile

Heidi Karn Barker · 780 weeks ago

Waiting for the PICC placement was miserable - I'd be so nervous that I'd just ask the doc to tell me, "I'm in," once he was able to access the vein, and then I'd be able to relax. After awhile, that buildup of scar tissue becomes very annoying, especially when it's the roadblock to a quick recovery. Have you considered a port? I was lucky enough to get through my transplant without having one, but I know there are people with CF who do prefer a port.
2 replies · active 780 weeks ago
Loading...
+1 Vote up Vote down
RunSickboyRun's avatar - Go to profile

RunSickboyRun 96p · 780 weeks ago

Tomorrow, I'm going to explain why I have elected not to get a port yet :)
0 Vote up Vote down
Jesse Petersen's avatar - Go to profile

Jesse Petersen · 780 weeks ago

That "interventional radiology" with balloon day was my last PICC line, bro. They said, "that's it for PICC lines for you, buddy." Three months later, I got my port when I got sick.
0 Vote up Vote down
Summer's avatar

Summer · 780 weeks ago

I am so sorry you have had a rough time. I know you hate the idea of a port but make sure you do what ever you have to to get your medications properly. That is key. I know we can all be so stubborn about what we want and why, but our health is so important. Hope you get up and better soon! You are in my prayers! =)
0 Vote up Vote down
Chelsea's avatar

Chelsea · 780 weeks ago

What a rough experience you had! I'm glad they were finally able to get it in though, and I'm very glad you're resting up! Hopefully you'll be out in no time; and I'm very interested to hear why you are "anti-port"! I'll be looking in tomorrow! Get some rest, and way to stay positive!
0 Vote up Vote down
Amanda's avatar

Amanda · 780 weeks ago

I am curious to hear why you do not want a port and why it doesn't make sense for you. I had picc lines until they could no longer put one in. It was never even an option until that point and I am upset that I was never given the option. I was never one to be nervous getting a picc, so it was never that. It was just the fact that the more I got the harder they became to get. They (piccs) screwed up and scared my veins severely. My arms look as though I used to shoot up. And frankly after trying ten times in one day trying to get a picc (on more than one occasion) my arms were in a lot of pain. I am a huge advocate for a port. It is not giving up your freedom. I think sometimes we get in the mind set of if we give in to one more medical device we are giving into our disease or that it some how means our disease is getting worse. This is not the case at all in regards to a port. A port actually for me gives me more freedom, and is a device meant to help not hinder. Yes it comes with its own set of precautions, but so does a picc. The port can be placed in areas out of sight out of mind. I even have a friend with cf, who has a port and is a body builder. It is never a hindrance for him with his work outs. Nor does it hinder me when I work out or do any kind of daily activity. Even when accessed most daily if not all daily activity can remain normal. I have had 3 ports. One lasted 8 years, the first one lasted a year and I out grew it (only a problem for younger cfers)...and the one I have now is going on year 1. When you need ivs you just "plug it in"...access it, tegaderm it and your set. Bathing is so much easier when accessed and not accessed its like there isnt anything there since its under the skin. Normal activities are easier since it is in my chest and not in my arm. As you can tell I am in love with my port. Im not saying I never had any complications with the port (thus needing the 3rd one). Just after all the huge ordeals with the piccs, I would much rather have a port placed again than go through that heck of a deal ever again. As long as you practice sterile cleaning when accessed, and proper maintenance its not often there is a problem with them.
1 reply · active 780 weeks ago
Loading...
+1 Vote up Vote down
RunSickboyRun's avatar - Go to profile

RunSickboyRun 96p · 780 weeks ago

I appreciate you taking the time to write your thoughts on a port. You definitely nailed many of my reasons for not wanting one. I'll explain on tomorrow's blog, but man, you're good :)
0 Vote up Vote down
Amanda's avatar

Amanda · 780 weeks ago

haha well I have been at this cf thing for 27 years now LOL jk. I'll have to come back and see your post tomorrow. Maybe argue with you a little haha nah
0 Vote up Vote down
Lisa's avatar

Lisa · 780 weeks ago

Hi Ronnie-you're blog is so encouranging and I admire you so much. My daughter is 14 and is going in next weekend for a bronchoscopy (hopefully to get rid of some plugs that have lodged in her airways) and they will also give her a picc - I think this is probably her 7th. So she's basically going in for a clean-out and a tune-up :) The hope is after this round of IVs her FEV will increase, for some reason they have been declining for sometime - her docs (thank God) are aggressive and want to hopefully change those numbers - otherwise she looks good and says she feels good. I hope your stay in the hosptial is not too hard. PS - you and Mandi are such a cute couple and I love reading your blog - it's very honest and informative. Thank you. Stay Happy and Healthy!
0 Vote up Vote down
Jennifer's avatar - Go to profile

Jennifer · 780 weeks ago

I used to have PICC line trouble too down in radiology until I could no longer do it. I fought the port for a long time and it wasn't until I met a surgeon who agreed that it didn't have to be in my chest that I was finally more comfortable with the idea. Mine is on my left side below my arm (where my bra strap/bathing suit covers it) when its not accessed you wouldnt even know its there. I have had it 7 years now and for me it was the right decision and made life a whole lot easier when being admitted! Which I am 3 days in right now! :)
0 Vote up Vote down
Trish T's avatar

Trish T · 780 weeks ago

I posed my question before to you and got an answer.... your stubbornness, But I wholeheartedly agree with Amanda... and am a huge advocate of the Port. I'm almost 45. I've had one since 1994 and it has saved my life, or at least my sanity!

I had the first one for almost 15 years, flushing it once a month when I was not in the hole. It's reallly, really easy and a LOT more comfortable than the numerous picc's I endured. Having had my share of those --they left my veins, too, with a lot of scar tissue and made made my veins thrombosed/schleroded.

You can even draw blood from the Port a cath, that is fed directly to your heart, under the skin and all, but the surgeon that gave me my first one told me that if I wanted to keep it a LONG time, which I don't know but I think I hold some sort of record (14 years), NOT to get blood from it if you don't have to. The bladder is like a rubber band and the more you push and pull it the shorter time it will last....and he KNEW that what I needed it for was just IV antibiotics to GO IN!

So, in one simple surgery, you can have a port that is relatively low profile, easy to care for (my hubby accesses it for me for monthly flushings and when it's time to come in, he just puts it in and I hep lock it!) Mandi could do it... even though it took a little confidence and practice. My hubby was afraid of hurting me so he shook the first couple of times.

What I am saying is that I know you will be soo much happier with a port, but it's definitely a personal decision that ONLY you can make. No one is pushing you, but just making you realize the HUGE benefits you get from it... versus the picc.

I was soooo against it when my doctor first told me I needed one. I had been stuck 22 times in a 24 hours period by "specialists" and even my doctor at the time...telling me not to be a "baby". OUCH! I had had enough, but I was so against it 'cause I was in my late 20s with still more of a body image factor to consider. I thought, getting one was giving in. It's actually just the opposite. With no fear of all the sticks coming into the hospital, it makes me a lot more comfortable when it IS time for my tune up. Good luck with your decision and make sure you ask about the different ones that are available. I have a power port right now and it's easier than the first one I had 'cause it has three little bumps to use as a guide to where to access the needle. It's a lot more uncomfortable than the old one cause the top of that was smooth, but it's smaller.. The tegaderms are all different too and I found one that is awesome. Here is the control number in case anyone wants to try and get some:
Tegaderm I. V. by 3M
#1655 NDC 8333-1655-01
size 3.5 inches by 4.5 inches
It has a clear window, but a slit up one side so it stays on a lot smoother and doesn't buckle. I love it.
0 Vote up Vote down
tara's avatar

tara · 780 weeks ago

Thanks for your continuous posts for all of us.. I go for my port Monday or Tuesday.. My veins are troubled and I get IV's so often and infusions so often that to place a picc every 8 weeks would be not my first choice.
Thinking of you
tara
0 Vote up Vote down
Joan Hammond's avatar

Joan Hammond · 780 weeks ago

Bless your heart! I'm so sorry that happened to you.

joan

Post a new comment

Comments by

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)