Re: Re: Pic lines or IV lines (Dr. Salvato)

[Guest guest]

I have had alot of experience with picc lines and no matter how careful I was or

the nurse was my body just did not like that being there and it was a constant

battle. Just recently they came out to put in a new picc line and both of my

arm have to much scar tissue built up in the viens and a picc line was not an

option. I went and had surgery and had a port-a-cath put in. They are mainly

used to cancer patients but more and more people with chronic lyme are using

them because we will be on and off of antibiotics maybe the rest of our live who

know. I had one put in and it was the best choice I have made. It is under the

skin and my nurse changes the needle once a week witch hurts less than have

blood drawn and then it is low maintanance I dont do anythhing except flush. I

was off of meds for a couple of weeks and she pulled the neddle and I was able

to go swimming and be normal and when it was time to hook back up she just came

and hooked me up. I am very much a supporter of port-a-cath rather than piccs

if you have problems and port-a-cath are different from a central. Like I said

it it implanted into your chest cavity and you access it by a needle

hope I did not offend anyone I just love mine I have had it for about 6 months

and not one problem where I went through picc after picc.

so something to think about

[ ] Re: Pic lines or IV lines (Dr. Salvato)

In a message dated 7/30/2002 10:27:32 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

academymum@... writes:

> You might want to be in touch with <A

HREF= " mailto:Goodgirl95@... " >Goodgirl95@...</A> who has also been on a

> PIC line lots for her Lyme. You two might help each other. I know nothing

> about PIC lines. I cringe at the thought. God Bless you, Alice

> ATCR@... wrote:

> >> Alice: the problem with Dr. S is that the doc placed me on a central

>> line and then when there were serious problems, she could not be contacted

>> by phone in her office or after hours...I tried...husband tried...we were

>> absolutely desperate.

>

Dear Donna,

Alice is right. I probably am the one to turn to about PICC lines, plus

. Most of us there have had PICC lines, & unlike what Alice said,

they are usually painless, and certainly nothing to cringe about.

In fact, you don't usually even need to consult with your doctor, as our

experience is that the IV nurses are very well trained, know lots of hints,

and know what to look for. If you have a PICC line or Central Line, you

should have an IV nurse. He/she will have a pager & can answer your

questions. Most doctors & hospital ER's are relatively clueless when it

comes to PICC lines. The IV nurses do it every day.

For PICC lines, the IV nurse will change the (Tegaderm) dressing every week.

If you are careful to keep the insertion area scrupulously clean & not

submerge it, you should be able to avoid infections. I had my one & only

PICC line in my arm for more than one year, which is extremely good, as most

last only 3 months or so. But my secret was knowing ahead of time what to

do.

Occasionally, such as right after the insertion, which sometimes is done in

a hospital, but more often is done in a doctor's office, the arm at & above

the insertion site will turn red & feel warm & be painful. This,

fortunately, indicates inflammation rather than infection, tho it may feel as

if it is infected. If infected, greenish or pale pus will be able to be

gently squeezed from the inserton site. Inflammations are far more common,

and the treatment, again, is quite simple & effective: apply heat to the

site. The pain should go away after a few hours & completely dissipate

within not much more than 2-3 days. I've been through it many times.

For the type of PICC line that I had, Heparin flushes were required twice a

day, to prevent clots from forming in the line, to keep it open & flowing

freely for the infusions. Be careful to remember to flush the line twice a

day with Heparin (and saline).

I'm not a nurse or doctor, just a late-stage Lyme patient.

Hope this helps.

Hugs, a

[Guest guest]

Rocephin needs to be monitored closely...to watch liver enzymes/gallbladder

sludging...once a week labs...and a doctor you can reach if something goes

awry.

Donna

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/25/2002 8:43:33 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

holly.snow@... writes:

> I am very much a supporter of port-a-cath rather than piccs

Dear Holly,

Thanks for the great insight & advice.

Now, if someone isn't a good candidate for a PICC line, which I found to be

wonderful, at least we can look forward to another, workable option. I

always wondered what would happen if my arm veins gave out, and you presented

a picture that is realistic & hopeful.

Thanks,

a

[Guest guest]

a: my LLMD won't prescribe IV antibx because he feels that the

problems may well outweigh the benefits of orals...but then what does one do

if orals are not tolerated....hmmm....therein lies another problem.

It's so important for people with portacaths to be very very closely

monitored. I had a fulminating infection from my portacath...very scary.

But then there are many who do fine...I am just the unlucky one I guess.

Donna

[Guest guest]

I have a portacath that I love but what is a fulmanting infection? I went

through so picc lines my veins in my arms have to much scar tissue and there is

not way up so I got a port put in and I love it.

thank you

Re: [ ] Re: Pic lines or IV lines (Dr. Salvato)

a: my LLMD won't prescribe IV antibx because he feels that the

problems may well outweigh the benefits of orals...but then what does one do

if orals are not tolerated....hmmm....therein lies another problem.

It's so important for people with portacaths to be very very closely

monitored. I had a fulminating infection from my portacath...very scary.

But then there are many who do fine...I am just the unlucky one I guess.

Donna