PICC Line

[bittybabygrower]

As a nurse, I wouldn't go and have anyone else poke you. That is crazy to tell you to go and try again. I would call the doc and tell him you want some sort of long term access, whether it be a PICC or a port.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have MS and get monthly IV treatments. Today was needle day and they were unable to get an IV started after 4 tries. The nurse refused to try after that because it was hurting so much and she said my veins are non existant. Even the vein that 'always' works no longer does.

I have to go back and try again next week. If that doesn't work, I have to go to the IV lab at the nearest hospital to let someone else try. If that STILL doesn't work, my Neurologist says it will be time for a PICC line.

Does anyone here have one or ever had one? I did read up on it online but of course, real people comments are always better. I'm looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly please.

I have never had one but I know a couple of people that personally have had one and it makes life a lot easier with treatments with either a picc or a port.

If you are having that much trouble and need it for long term I would most certainly go that route.

 

[kimblebee]

As a nurse, I wouldn't go and have anyone else poke you. That is crazy to tell you to go and try again. I would call the doc and tell him you want some sort of long term access, whether it be a PICC or a port.

Believe me, I am not looking forward to it at all. The reason they give is that sometimes one person has trouble and another person can have no trouble at all. The thing is though, I trust the nurse that tried yesterday and she said they are definitely getting worse. The reason they have to keep trying is that I am on meds and the injection has to be every 4 weeks.

I think I will let them try next week but she is not getting 4 tries like the nurse yesterday. I don't like the nurse I am seeing next week so that makes me dread it even more.

If they can't do it next week I think I will refuse further tries and demand a port. It's my body so it should be my choice, right?

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

An older co-worker of mine has been out on disability since October. She too had to have a PICC line inserted. She was meeting with her team of doctors on Monday to hopefully get the go-ahead to come back to work next week. Instead, that team of physicians told her that her current state is as good as she's going to get. Part of her now current health (her "new norm" as she calls it) is that the PICC line caused some permanent muscle damage in her arm/shoulder, so she has much less mobility in that arm. Sadly, she has decided to retire as a result of her health - and largely in part of the limited mobility in her arm.

I have no idea if this is a common occurence or not, but I wanted to give the example and wonder if perhaps there is a way to avoid such muscle damage?

 

[kimblebee]

Thank you for that perspective. I did talk to the nurse at the clinic and told her I am willing to get a port so that I can continue my treatment. She said that was great to hear and that she will discuss it with my neurologist. So, fingers crossed. I know that I am totally downplaying it right now. It will be surgery and will be something very new to get used to but I'm not going to worry about all that until I know for sure.

 

[mommy2allgirls]

I got a port placed last March. We chose the port because it allows you to be more active than a picc and you can shower normally when it isn't accessed(when it is accessed then they have special covers you can put on).

The surgery was bad at all. I did have some pain the next day but it wasn't too horrible. I don't recommend this but I went to Disney world 2 days after getting it placed. I just made sure to take all my medical records and info for the local hospital. We only kept the vacation because it was already booked when we found out I needed a port placed. Like I said I don't recommend this I was just sharing how I bounced back from the surgery.

I wish you the best of luck and if you do get a port and need support or have questions please feel free to message me

 

[bittybabygrower]

Yes, it is your body and you can refuse to have someone try poking you again. They can get you in for a line before your next infusion. I really hate that the doc is even telling you to go get poked again. I'd say 2 tries and that's it. I hope you get a line soon!

 

[kimblebee]

Yes, it is your body and you can refuse to have someone try poking you again. They can get you in for a line before your next infusion. I really hate that the doc is even telling you to go get poked again. I'd say 2 tries and that's it. I hope you get a line soon!

Thank you. I told my nurse today that I would go get poked next week, just to be fair, but that was it. It wasn't the doctor saying it, it was the nurse. Now they know that I won't do anything past next week in way if pokes. I've seen on here so many times to choose your battles..this one I'm choosing. I waited all afternoon for the phone call saying yes or no or even an appointment to see my neuro to discuss it. Hopefully it comes tomorrow otherwise I will worry about it all weekend.

 

[dis-happy]

Thank you. I told my nurse today that I would go get poked next week, just to be fair, but that was it. It wasn't the doctor saying it, it was the nurse. Now they know that I won't do anything past next week in way if pokes. I've seen on here so many times to choose your battles..this one I'm choosing. I waited all afternoon for the phone call saying yes or no or even an appointment to see my neuro to discuss it. Hopefully it comes tomorrow otherwise I will worry about it all weekend.

Hoping the best for you next week. I'm a former cancer pt with lots of blood draw and IV experience (along with some crazy stories to go with them) and my youngest child has had numerous draws since infancy. He's always a hard stick so we fall back on some of the best tricks...be very hydrated. Also, ask to have warm moist towels laid on your arm beforehand. GL!