Re: -I'm glad you're getting a PICC

[Guest guest]

I got my PICC line in San Diego, California. It's considered an

outpatient surgery, and a doctor does the procedure. He used some

kind of camera and screen to guide placement of the picc. I don't

know what it was exactly, but it must have been safe, as he was

looking at this image on the screen while inserting the picc.

Perhaps it was an ultrasound? I don't recall having any x-rays.

I would recommend getting a Groshong PICC line, as they can stay in

indefinitely and only need flushing once a week and don't get

blocked easily. All of my I.V. nurses were pleased I had it, said

they're the best (I had mine 9 months), but they're not usually the

doc's first choice. I'd ask for it if you think you want further

i.v. treatments. Just remember that bathing with any PICC line is a

major pain. Can't get it wet. And your dressing has to be changed

weekly by a medical professional. (I finally started changing my

own, so placement of the picc line is important. The inside of the

upper arm is a pretty good spot).

Is it possible that your doc will administer the rocephin in his

office without a PICC line insertion? This is how I got I.V.

rocephin, before I started hard core, multiple abx i.v. therapy. The

PICC line is awesome for infusions as it's much faster than going

the standard needle into small vein route. I actually liked the feel

of the saline and heparin flushes. My doc had me do them daily, even

though it wasn't necessary with the Groshong, but is with other

lines.

When I had my PICC line, I used it for a lot of other infusions as

well, like vitamins, minerals, silver, etc. I'd be in and out in

half an hour while everyone else would be there for 2 hours, arms

frozen or asleep since you can't move with the regular needle to

vein method, but you're free to move around with a PICC line. :-)

penny

Ron <rhbailey@d...> wrote:

> Hi ,

>

> If you are going to be getting Rocephin, then you will have a

Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC). I think I've

mentioned to you before my concern about your PICC placement method.

>

> I don't know how they do things in California, but here in New

York a good, specially trained IV nurse can insert the PICC, using

the anatomic landmark method, usually in a hospital or sometimes in

a doctor's office.