Question about PICC lines

Sorry I haven't been around much but I have been back in hospital on and off since June and I have had limited internet access via my mobile phone. I am currently typing this from my hospital bed connected to a 24 hour vancomycin drip.

Do any geeks have experience with managing PICC lines https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripherally_inserted_central_catheter
It looks like they may send me home with a pump connected to a PICC Line and it will run continuously 24/7 for at least one month dispensing vancomycin. Once home a nurse comes to my house and changes the large vancomycin bag once a day.

How do you shower etc? Do they cause many problems sleeping? How uncomfortable is it being fitted under your arm? Lots of questions.
I couldn't find a picture of the infusion pump but from what I have been told it hangs around your neck and then connects via tubing to the PICC line.

I am not too keen having a catheter inserted under my arm and threaded through my veins into my heart considering I have almost no immune system so I am very worried about infection and how it will affect my mobility.

I have read quite a lot but it seems to all be positive PR spin by people selling the equipment and less of the personal experience so I would appreciate any experiences especially good ones as I am a bit worried about what problems may lie ahead.

 

I've only ever had one while I was in the hospital, so I'm not sure I can be much help. Mine was in my upper arm on the inside, and they basically sewed it to my skin and put a big waterproof band-aid type covering on it. Showering was no problem, and it really wasn't an issue with sleeping... but then like I said I was in the hospital and also had a feeding tube at the same time, so it wasn't like I was really paying attention to the PICC. I do know it was immeasurably better than an IV! For me, the worst part was when they took out the stitches to remove it, to be honest.

I'm not at all sure about the pump, since mine was hanging on the IV pole next to my bed with everything else the whole time. I guess it would depend on how big the pump is how much it'll affect mobility, the the PICC itself didn't interfere with anything, except for the part where there was a tube coming out of it that could potentially get caught on something. It wouldn't pull out, I know that, since it was pretty well taped down.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

Thanks Tibbs, hmmm yeah not keen on the stitching to my under arm bit either. I forgot they told me that. I guess while being in hospital it would be easier to avoid infection. My current pump is on a pole with wheels and it follows me everywhere.... it even has a shower when I do rolleyes
It has been my constant companion for the last three days ... I preferred having four bags per day each bag a 3 hour duration infusion with a rest in between each bag.

The pump they will send me home with is in a bag that hangs around my neck with a strap around my back to stop it moving about too much and it is very similar to this

https://www.mja.com.au/sites/default/files/issues/176_09_060502/how10375_fm-3.jpg

I have been having problems with inflamed veins from the IV cannulae so they are implementing a long term solution so I can be discharged from acute care.

I appreciate your input and yes your input is helpful so thanks for taking the time to reply :-D:cool

 

Hey joffa...

Agreed with Sgt. Tibbs on all points - her experience sounds almost exactly like mine. The only thing I can add is to caution you to heed any uncomfortable or unusual symptoms such as tightness, redness and/or swelling of the arm in question. My initial PICC was obstructed, and because I ignored the early symptoms my arm swelled to about 3X normal size. Not pleasant.

Other than that the PICC is pretty much a no brainer - if all goes well you'll forget about it. Good luck.

 

Thanks Caliban, yeah I get inflamed veins pretty regularly and currently my right arm is swollen to about 2X hence the doctors going for another solution. The current IV in my left arm can only stay two more days as it went in yesterday morning and they only leave them in for 72 hours.
When your arm swelled did they put the PICC in the other arm? Or did they use your left arm again? Did you have an ambulatory pump that you wear?
Thanks in advance Caliban :cool

 

Update
Crisis averted:-D:cool
Just got discharged from hospital today and I escaped without a PICC line or pump or even IV meds.....yay :-D
I made a pretty good recovery and I am a bit more confident than the last time I was discharged :cool
Fear of having the PICC line made my body turn in some really great blood test results for the doctors rolleyes
Just have to take 4 extra tablets a day which is not a big deal considering I already take fifteen pills a day now
Cheers
joffa :major

 

Glad to hear the good news, joffa - hang in there bud. :wine

 

Excellent news! I've always thought that a great deal of healing is caused by the brain deciding to be done with it. :-D

 

Glad you are doing better! Hope you heal very fast.

 

Good to hear about your recovery, Joffa. I just got out of hospital myself, this week, with a suspected mini-Stroke, which turned out to be a pinched nerve of some sort. The worst oart is that it effects my right hand and my writing.

Take care,man!