[Roxie2007]

I've been having lots of vein problems with my IVIG each week. My nurse has slowed my infusioned down to 6 hrs and I still have vein pain. So she thinks I need to have a PICC line put in. So I'm going to talk to my dr. about it next week when I see him. Has anyone had one put in and can you tell me about it?? Thanks!!

[dahlek]

it was called?

Here are some resources to get a handle on the difference?

IV catheter or PORT:
http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_vcatlu_crs.htm

PIC or PICC lines:
http://www.imaginghss.org/patient-information/piccs.htm

An answer to a question similar to yours:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...3024343AAg2bZu

It's my understanding that folks who are on long term infusions often get the ports....The infusions can be for chemo, antibiotics or IG. Ports can last from 6 months to many years...it depends on the individual. They may not last indefinitely tho, and can be replaced. Ports are inserted with a local anathestic and it's outpatient surgery. This is an issue/aspect I too will be looking into in the future.

I know little about PIC lines tho. Other than I understand that they are not for long term use.

Wish I could help more - The whole thing seems intrusive/invasive and all, but those I know who have the ports are really happy with them. - j

[Marlene]

but it requires weekly dressing changes and daily flushes. As do most PICC lines. It lasted about 15 months before it had to pulled due to an infection. It was a pain because his skin couldn't handle the cleaning solutions nor the bandages anymore. Plus it would always have some level of bleeding around the entry site.

You probably want to look at the port-a-cath. There's no maintenance on your part and less likely to get infected since it's enclosed in your skin. That's what was recommended to him as a replacement for the Hickman since he no longer needed the "double Lumen" to administer multiple drugs and blood products. But he chose not to replace it.


http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/co...emotherapy.asp

[Roxie2007]

HI J and Marlene,
Thanks for the info, I'll check out the sites. What my nurse recommended is the PICC but my dr. may recommend something else. I don't want a lot of upkeep or pain from this line so hope he can recommend one that doesn't...I don't need the headache! But then again I can't continue the way things have been going with my weekly IVIG's. Thanks again!

[HeyJoe]

A PICC line is inserted through veins until it reaches just above the heart, so it is something that must be taken care of while you have it, including flushes and cleaning the site.

[cyclelops]

Hi Roxie

I had a PICC line in for 4 months. You will need some one to do sterile dressing changes, and they do need a heparin flush done per doc order. You can not get the area wet. It interferes with a lot of stuff. It is a good option if you need frequent pokes or have bad veins.

Try drinking a glass of water prior to getting a poke.

I had no problems with my PICC, but I am a nurse, and made sure that every one who did do my dressing changes made sure to maintain sterile technique.

I had to do my own infusions twice per week, of IV methylprednisolone, so that is why I had the PICC. A PICC is a 'Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter'. They usually don't like to do them for infusions that are only every week or two weeks, or less, they prefer to start a line. There is another type of line called a Midline, but it requires care almost as substantial as a PICC and has a shorter life of only 6 weeks.

My doc refused to put in a Port-a-Cath as it is permanent. Every foreign object we stick in our body is just one more reason for it to rebel.

I no longer need a line for any reason, so he was correct.

I did go thru a period of vasospasm every time they tried to get a line in, even the best nurses had a horrible time, and they wanted a PICC for the IVIG. They did a 'midline' for the first series of 5 bags, then I just endured the poke for 6 months. After that when they tried steroids, I had to do it at home and I could not poke myself, and it was twice per week, so I had a PICC in then for 4 months.

[Roxie2007]

HI Cycleops, Thanks for all the info. Is it painful when the PICC is put in? Sounds to me like it would be...but then again it's VERY painful now when I get my IVIG each week because my veins are so bad.
I'll let y'all know what my dr. says when I see him next week. Thanks for all the info!

[dahlek]

but, those who have the Ports put in for either chemo or IG have all said that it's 'tender' [whatever THAT means] the first couple of times and after that it's easy as pie....IF [a big IF!] the IG nurse really knows how to access the port. Otherwise all kinds of not fun things can happen...I've asked when I'd had infusions in the hospital, because I too felt this would be on my menu down the road.
It really depends on the SKILL of the IV nurse you have. Mine have been extraordinarily experiences and for that I am eternally grateful. To only have had bad lines 4 times in almost 4 years of infusion is exceptional in most folk's books. I DO know how BAD that site can hurt when the vein is blown or it leaks at the site etc...
As for they HYDRATION part, I've what they call 'rolling veins', meaning they are small, squirmy and hard to stick. I start 'hydrating' two days before infusions...a lot...If I get to the need to visit the bathroom every 30 minutes the nite before my early AM infusions, then I'm as hydrated as I should be, without going overboard.. The fatter those little life-lines are, the easier it is for both the nurse and me....When you get soo hydrated you are NOT going, then that's waay too much and a different problem...I do only water for this. Sodas, tea, coffee, juices aren't what's needed.
DO ask your doc if he means a port or a PIC, the care and feeding or each type of access is quite different. The port, from all I gather is much more lo maintenance. Hope this helps... - j

[cyclelops]

Hi Roxie

After all the stuff you have been thru...I don't think you will find the PICC line placement painful....it is pretty much like an IV. You don't really know it is as long as it is...you don't feel that!! Once in, I really didn't find it too annoying except for keeping the area dry. I am a fairly fast and messy person. I had good folks for dressing changes. I kept a long sleeve shirt over the site so it didn't get hooked on stuff.....it was fine. You do what you gotta do.

I admit I was glad to see it go...but if I had to have lots of pokes again, and my veins were misbehaving....I would not hesitate to have it put in again.

C

[Roxie2007]

HI C,
I think if I get the PICC in then I'm going to have to ask the school district if I can transfer to another position. I work with special needs kids who are very physical and I'd be VERY worried about the line getting pulled on or pulled out.
I have SO much going on right now that I'm terribly depressed. Wish I could take depression meds for it. Anyway......have a good evening.