Riding with a picc line

[tinkerpea]

Hi,

I've been pretty sick now for the last few years, and have have had many head surgeries, in fact last year I had surgery 7 wks before our 3 wk Disney trip,
Anyways I thought my illness had cleared after my last major surgery but unfortunately what I have came back a few months ago, ( bit of a shock after thinking I was cleared)

So I had another major surgery in July and as a result of that & a MRI scan found out that I'm a lot sicker then 1st thought which has resulted in me having a Picc line placed in my arm, for anyone who doesn't know what this is or maybe a different name is used In the US it's a central catheter long line used to administer things like Chemo, or any drug that needs to be administered over long periods.
I'm having immune therapy drugs plus invasive antibiotics among other drugs as I have an infection in the bones of my skull that is spreading its way to my brain and will cause the most severe strain of bacterial meningitis!

We have gotten GACs before for my illness and my sons autism but im wondering more about if anyone has gone on the rides with a line like this or a Hickman line ( I've also had one of those an the line may change to that if this one gets infected before the trip, .......did it get in the way of the restraints?
Was their any issues from the CMs with riding with these lines in?
I love roller coasters and the doctors have said I can't get any sicker then I am by riding them so to go for it,
( of course I'll stop if my head starts to hurt) lol but as I have 3 boys aged 8,8,11 at the time of trip I want to enjoy riding with them

Also my drugs make me really tired, DH has upgraded us to the Poly so that we can pop back to the room easier so I can sleep while he carries on with the boys which I'm mega excited about as I've always wanted to stay there...
But any other tips for being on invasive drugs that make you feel sick an tired while in Disney ill be great full to have!!

I've just started to be able to get used to all the looks people give you, I covered up for the 1st month by its summer and its just too hot right now to wear long tops! So at least I should be used to that lol

 

[chasadchick]

On my last trip to Disney, my mom was just getting over complications from Cancer. Ride when you feel up to it, but don't push yourself.

My sister and I gave my Mom offical "veto power" for the trip. If we wanted to go on something and the line was to long, or she needed a break we would all take time out for what she needed. The great thing about Disney is you can take 5, without really feeling like you are out of comission. Need to sit down? Lets grab a snack and sit down and enjoy it. Need some R&R? Grab a hammock on the beach at the Poly.

Try not to overplan as you dont know how you will feel. We did Disney slow and steady, and had a ball.

 

[monorailsilver]

I just want to say have a great time!

FYI, we call them piccs here too!

I would think if you get too tired in the park you can go to the first aid station as well.

Love the poly for the ease of getting back from the MK and Epcot!

 

[amykathleen2005]

Is it placed in your chest or you arm?

 

[TinkPirateMom]

When I had a picc line. my aunt made me a velcro arm band out of lightweight fabric to wear. It did the trick. I hope you have a magical trip!

 

[silly old bear]

On my last trip to Disneyland in December, I had a PICC and had just celebrated my one year Brainiversary (one year anniversary of having my right temporal lobe removed). I was really sick at the time and the GAC was very useful! My PICC was in my upper arm at the time so it was covered by my sleeves and I also put one of those cotton net sock things over it. I would highly recommend using one if your PICC is in your arm. There is a company out there that makes cute ones... I remember seeing them on tv when Robin Roberts was going through chemo and everyone in the audience of GMA was wearing them to support her. I bet if you googled it, you could find one

 

[SueM in MN]

The Cast Members won't prevent you from riding anything with a PICC line. Chances are very good that they won't even notice your PICC, and if they do, there are people with all sorts of lines and tubes who go to WDW.

WDW puts warnings on certain attractions, but it is totally up to the guest to decide whether or not the warning applies to them.
There is a list of attractions with warnings on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
The only reason a CM would stop anyone from riding would be if there was danger of a restraint not activating properly.

Since a PICC is always in the arm, it would not interfere with any restraint.
A Hickman or port would be covered in the chest and covered by clothing. Neither of them would be visible to CMs and they would not interfere with any restraints operating properly. It would probably not be a good idea to ride anything with an over the shoulder restraint, but CMs would not stop you.

As long as your doctor knows what types of attractions you plan to ride, is OK with you riding with a PICC, your bandage is intact and you have a cover to help keep everything in place, you would be fine. If you are riding anything where it might get wet, you will need to protect it because a wet bandage can allow germs to get into your line. The doctor may give different advice about a Hickman or port and I personally would not ride anything with an overhead restraint with a Hickman or port (I'm pretty cautious and would probably not ride anything that is turbulent or 'roller coaster-y).

To explain for other readers -
PICC lines are always in the arm. PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter.
PICC are inserted into a peripheral vein, in the arm, and the tube (catheter or line) goes also the way to the large vein just above the heart (part of the central circulatory system).
Hickman lines are inserted into a vein in the chest, much closer to the heart.
Both Hickman lines and PICC have some tubing that protrude from the skin (we nurses call it a pigtail). The insertion site is protected from contamination with a dressing and the pigtail are often covered with a cotton net cover(as another poster mentioned Robin Robinson's was) to keep them from moving and bumping around.
Ports are inserted into the sme place as Hickman lines, but the entire port is under the skin and there is no pigtail attached - a needle connected to a pigtail is attached thru the skin when medication needs to be given.

 

[tinkerpea]

The Cast Members won't prevent you from riding anything with a PICC line. Chances are very good that they won't even notice your PICC, and if they do, there are people with all sorts of lines and tubes who go to WDW.

WDW puts warnings on certain attractions, but it is totally up to the guest to decide whether or not the warning applies to them.
There is a list of attractions with warnings on page 2 of the disABILITIES FAQs thread. You can find that thread near the top of this board or follow the link in my signature.
The only reason a CM would stop anyone from riding would be if there was danger of a restraint not activating properly.

Since a PICC is always in the arm, it would not interfere with any restraint.
A Hickman or port would be covered in the chest and covered by clothing. Neither of them would be visible to CMs and they would not interfere with any restraints operating properly. It would probably not be a good idea to ride anything with an over the shoulder restraint, but CMs would not stop you.

As long as your doctor knows what types of attractions you plan to ride, is OK with you riding with a PICC, your bandage is intact and you have a cover to help keep everything in place, you would be fine. If you are riding anything where it might get wet, you will need to protect it because a wet bandage can allow germs to get into your line. The doctor may give different advice about a Hickman or port and I personally would not ride anything with an overhead restraint with a Hickman or port (I'm pretty cautious and would probably not ride anything that is turbulent or 'roller coaster-y).

To explain for other readers -
PICC lines are always in the arm. PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter.
PICC are inserted into a peripheral vein, in the arm, and the tube (catheter or line) goes also the way to the large vein just above the heart (part of the central circulatory system).
Hickman lines are inserted into a vein in the chest, much closer to the heart.
Both Hickman lines and PICC have some tubing that protrude from the skin (we nurses call it a pigtail). The insertion site is protected from contamination with a dressing and the pigtail are often covered with a cotton net cover(as another poster mentioned Robin Robinson's was) to keep them from moving and bumping around.
Ports are inserted into the sme place as Hickman lines, but the entire port is under the skin and there is no pigtail attached - a needle connected to a pigtail is attached thru the skin when medication needs to be given.

Thanks for the advice,
Due to my veins being so bad my Picc is quite low on my arm, instead of the normally high up position, so
Unfortunately it's very visible and is covered by clear Plaster so you can see the line, also since when my line was put in it was too long they pulled it back an so there is around 10cm of visible line,
That what I was worried about, I haven't been wearing anything over my line as I can't stand it with the hot weather, but I will cover it when in Disney.

I mentioned the Hick line as I have had one before and they are the king about taking the Picc line out and putting in the Hickman line,I also find these can be really visable I've got 3 big scars from my last one and looking at them they are only just down from my collar bone on my right side,
Not sure if in the US they put them lower? I find the tube is a lot bigger then the Picc line one, and of course when wearing strappy tops will be able to be seen quite clearly, I'm only 27 so I still like to dress quite young ish lol and wear these types of clothes haha!

Anyways at least I know now a Picc shouldn't interfere with any rides,
And I will make sure it's well protected while riding
Thanks again

 

[tinkerpea]

On my last trip to Disneyland in December, I had a PICC and had just celebrated my one year Brainiversary (one year anniversary of having my right temporal lobe removed). I was really sick at the time and the GAC was very useful! My PICC was in my upper arm at the time so it was covered by my sleeves and I also put one of those cotton net sock things over it. I would highly recommend using one if your PICC is in your arm. There is a company out there that makes cute ones... I remember seeing them on tv when Robin Roberts was going through chemo and everyone in the audience of GMA was wearing them to support her. I bet if you googled it, you could find one

Thank you I will def google those now

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the advice,
Due to my veins being so bad my Picc is quite low on my arm, instead of the normally high up position, so
Unfortunately it's very visible and is covered by clear Plaster so you can see the line, also since when my line was put in it was too long they pulled it back an so there is around 10cm of visible line,
That what I was worried about, I haven't been wearing anything over my line as I can't stand it with the hot weather, but I will cover it when in Disney.

I mentioned the Hick line as I have had one before and they are the king about taking the Picc line out and putting in the Hickman line,I also find these can be really visable I've got 3 big scars from my last one and looking at them they are only just down from my collar bone on my right side,
Not sure if in the US they put them lower? I find the tube is a lot bigger then the Picc line one, and of course when wearing strappy tops will be able to be seen quite clearly, I'm only 27 so I still like to dress quite young ish lol and wear these types of clothes haha!

Anyways at least I know now a Picc shouldn't interfere with any rides,
And I will make sure it's well protected while riding
Thanks again

No.
Because of anatomy, PICC and Hickman lines are put in generally the same place all over the world.
Most people I know if who have had one wear clothing that mostly covers the Hickman - if you are wearing strappy tops, it would show. Sounds like you are comfortable with that, but some people aren't.

This is the brand of PICC covers that Robin Robinson wore:
http://www.castcoverfashions.com/picc-cover.html

 

[tinkerpea]

No.
Because of anatomy, PICC and Hickman lines are put in generally the same place all over the world.
Most people I know if who have had one wear clothing that mostly covers the Hickman - if you are wearing strappy tops, it would show. Sounds like you are comfortable with that, but some people aren't.

This is the brand of PICC covers that Robin Robinson wore:
http://www.castcoverfashions.com/picc-cover.html

Thanks for the link,
Yes I am comfortable with it now, I wasn't but I have been fighting this for years!! It just happens its got a lot worse and ill be going to Disney with some sort of line in,
I can't possibly wear clothes up to my neck and down to my wrists in this heat, so I decided I'd 1st and foremost make sure I wore comfortable clothes that I'm used to, and was worried about if it was seen some rides may not be allowed.....

Now I know it's fine I'm very excited again and looking forward to the trip

 

[disneyfool_1202]

I would keep it covered, not because you don't want anyone to see it (I personally say "who cares what other people think") but because you don't want the end of the PICC that isnt' secure to snag. Get some "paper tape" from your doctor's office and "spiral" the tubing loosely and have your DH tape it in place, then cover it with either a PICC cover (those via the link are cute) or you can use some kling wrap gauze and just tape it in place (or even an ace wrap- wrapped just enough to stay in place but WITHOUT compression).
The last thing you want is the PICC tubing to snap or for it to pull out while you are there.
Focus on ENJOYING your vacation as much as you are able to and get plenty of rest when you need it!!

 

[KathyRN137]

How about using some Coban wrap to secure/protect the line?

It's light, breathable, and you can pick it up in any drug store!


http://www.3m.com/product/information/Coban-self-adherent-wrap.html

Have a great trip!


Kathy