PICC line infection?
 

:DHello all! I went to the hospital today to have my line flushed out and the nurses were a bit concerned about my incision site.......it is red and a bit inflamed.......of course the IV therapy people were too "busy" to be bothered, so the nurse just flushed out my line and applied all new dressing, etc........
I guess my question to all of you is : have you ever had an infection in your line? My arm is a bit sore but that is prolly just part of the healing process.....@ least that is what I am hoping......I have done EVERYTHING to keep mmy line clean and sanitary, but am really worried about having to go back in for an infection.....any thoughts?

Erin:D

OH! I go back in on the 30th for another round of IV IG - my neuro is going out of town soon after and wants to make sure he is there when I have my IV IG - he is the best! I am also down to 50 mgs of pred daily - my face should go down soon, b/c @ 40 I looked almost normal! LOL

Hi All,

Erin I've never had a picc line, but if it is bothering you I'd get it checked out. When I had the IV for my IVIG it got really sore and irritated on the third day and they changed the thingy for me.

Sorry I haven't been around lately, things have been hectic at work and home but things have been great - just busy. I'm still swimming twice a week and have been walking in the gorgeous spring weather as often as possible. My Mom and Dad are coming to Scotland next Tuesday - I can't wait to see them. We are planning a driving tour of the Western Islands of Scotland while they are here.

I can't believe you looked normal at 40mg! I've been on 40mg every second day for months now and I'm still swollen (granted not nearly as moon faced as when I was at 60, but still not me). I'm beginning to think I'll never look the same (I'd still rather be able to do all I can do now though).

Enjoy your next round of IVIG- your neuro does sound great! I've never had one who looked out for me that much. I've always sort of felt like a number on a file.

I go for my Dexa Scan (bone density) on the 21 April. I've never been so I'm looking forward to it! I probab;y should have had a baseline one when I started the pred, but no-one suggested it. I've never been a milk drinker either, so I might have a rude awakening.

Hope you are well, other than your sore arm. Take care of yourself!
~Kathy

Ouch!
 

Hi Erin - good to hear from you again. I've been wondering if you've been out whooping it up from your latest infusion, and hoping you weren't having problems.

I know they had to move my site, but I ended up having just one round of IVIG and we decided it wasn't real successful for me. It was long ago, too and the brain cells ain't what they used to be!

As I recall, it was red, warm to the touch and swelling. Mine wasn't a surgically implanted line though. Keep a close eye on it. You know all the meds bring down your ability to fight infection.

Hope it's just a minor irritation that will clear up soon for you ;).

Take it easy.

Good to hear your pred dosage is being lowered. But you definitely don't want to ignore any signs of infection on a PICC line - go in and make some noise, make someone take a look at it for you. When I was in hospital in Nov, there was a wife of an old family friend in the room next door. She was in for infection at her PICC line site.

cheers,

Brian

Hi Erin, I saw the title of your thread and hope you don't mind my input.

I don't doubt you're already aware that a PICC line is always inserted into one of the larger of our peripheral blood vessels and in turn, these vessels lead directly to the heart.

Any infection, no matter how minor it might initially look, can be the cause of bacterial endo-carditis, which is an infection of the heart and could be potentially life threatening. For this reason, I encourage you to have the site checked again.

Go to the ER if you have to, but do get some-one to check it out.

Hi Erin, I'll chime in here...had a lot of experience with PICC and central lines.

There should be no pain aside from some at the insertion site, and by now that should be gone..The fact that they didnt' have time for you is disheartening. You're an immunosuppressed patient, stuff like that is important.

Things like this should be looked into early. I'd call your GP and have them scope it out or go back to wherever you get it flushed and have it evaluated.

This is for sure a good example of that old saying, better to be safe then sorry. I hope you're doing good under the circumstances : / stay in touch and let us know what happens!

Hey Brian!
 

:DHi Brian! How are you? Are you feeling better? Still going back to work in June/July? How is your cough?

I will call Dr. I and have HIM call the IV therapy team, cuz' they were "too busy" to be bothered....what a joke!

The nurses ae great, but the IV team just plain sux!

Can't wait to hea from you!
:hug:Erin:hug:

Hey there!
 

I have enjoyed the added boost from the last IV IG! I have been able to wokr and take care of my fellas! YAY!

I am sorry to hear the IV IG didn't work for you - what happened? I hope you don;t mind my asking..........

I'm gonna call my neuro and have HIM call the hospital - that way they can't ignore me - and Dr. I is soooooo wonderful! If I have any problems, he takes care of them immediately!

How are you? Are you OK?

Can't wait to hear from you!
:hug:Erin:hug:

Hi Kathy!
 

It was so great to hear from you! I am so happy you are feeling better! Are you enjoying you new school?:D

Things have been hectic here as well! I have been able to work - part time - and am enjoying life in general!

Yep, at 40 I was almost back to normal..........my hema told me he has never seen anyone respond so well to pred - lucky me?

I DO love my neuro - if I wasn't happily married I'd go after him in a new york minute! He is sooooo thoughtful and caring! I am very blessed to ave such a great dr! The nurses all say that they have never seen a dr that takes care of his patients like Dr. I!

Are you taking calcium supp? I take 1800 mg a day (my hema told me to), in addition to iron and prenatal vitamins every day.........

I bet you are going to have a blast when your folks come down! I'm gonna have my mom move in with us - she just cannot afford to lve anywhere else - did I mention I am married to a saint?

Can't wait to hear from you!
:hug:Erin

I am doing quite well recently... feeling much better. My cough is tapering but still there. It is only really bad when I'm outside in the cold cold air or immediately after a hot shower (steam). My doc thinks I may be able to return to work in May now - here's hoping April is warm :)