Re: PICC Lines

[Guest guest]

Kim,

I have been on disability for years because of this disease and since I was so

young when this got me, I do not get enough social security. As a result, I get

both medicare and medicaid. Medicaid is paying for my medications.

Jen

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/29/2002 7:20:57 PM Eastern Standard Time,

rwachs@... writes:

> I had my PICC line for 1 year, from January 2001 to January 2002. It is

> recommended that PICC lines be pulled after about a year because they can

> start to weaken and degrade. Being on Rocephin for that year really helped

> me,

Hi,

I just got up to reading/answering email from Dec 29, am always way behind...

but, in case anyone still is interested,...

Thanks, Robin, for the info...

you're the only person other than myself that I know of who had one PICC line

for more than one year. Most people get only a few months use out of a PICC

line, so I felt very lucky.

Like you, it wasn't a big deal, just had to be sure to keep it extra clean to

prevent damage or infection.

Also, like yours, my line was inserted by a skilled IV nurse.

The IV antibiotics were a lifesaver for me also.

Hugs,

a

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the clarification on my thoughts. I in no way intended

to suggest that any particular medication be taken by anyone. That is

between their doctor and themselves. I merely tried to share my

experience with tending my own PICC line (successfully). I will try to

be explicit in future.

> rocephine in my opinion should be a last resort, mino or doxy should

> be used first as it is much safer and in some cases works better as

> mino or doxy crossed the bbb.complications can result from iv so keep

> that in mind. also as far as ryan goes i think the doc will order a

> spect as he has some cognitive dysfunction.

> eric

[Guest guest]

I have a picc line (since mid-July) and I use a little circular pad called a

Biopatch made by and . They put one on in the hospital when

they installed the line. It is antimicrobial and has some type of

antibiotic in it. Over the top I put a stretchy bandaid and then over that

a Tegaderm patch. They said I could go for a week without changing the

dressing with the Biopatch on it. It fits right over the line and the point

of insertion. If you Google it you will find pictures. They are expensive

at around $12 each and my insurance doesn't pay for them, but I bought them

to help ensure the point of insertion stays clean. It sounds like this

might be an especially good idea for kids. You may already be using them -

but I thought I would throw it out!

Blessings,

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of tracywill9

Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2009 8:07 PM

Subject: [ ] Thanks for advice re: Son with PICC

I really appreciate it all. Dr. wants to do another PICC< he said he

doesn't want to move on to a port just yet. Cody is doing fine; they wanted

to schedule the PICC on Friday but we are building a pool that is almost

done, so we are holding off for a couple of weeks hoping he will get a

chance to swim.

The ER said the infection was at the tip of the catheter and had not entered

the bloodstream yet, but that Cody would have been septic within 24 hours

had I not brought him in when I did. Once the source of the infection was

removed, it went away.

The culture showed the bacteria was of the micrococcus species, it was just

on the PICC line, and there was no fungal growth.

So that's where we are at! Thanks again.

[Guest guest]

bio patches are almost never necessary IMO. And they make it harder to monitor

the seepage of blood and fluid that sometimes occur around insertion site; until

it heals fully. ALL dressings can stay for the week until the next nurse

check--unless there is unusual seepage of fluids, irritations, and/or blood over

the amount of about a dime to nickel sized spot.And of course if they are dirty

or over-wet they should be changed sooner.

Some patients react to the biopatches as well. Be aware the many also react to

tegraderm adhesive and there are a few alternatives for sensitive skin.This can

be even more problematic with kids' sensitive skin.?

all you need is the clear tegraderm ( or similar) dressing--if the lines pull or

tangle, you can keep in place with a small steristrip ( what we call butterfly

stictches) under the dressing, you dont even need the " lock " or " butterfly

clip " many hospitals like to send you home with. I have found with my son that

those add to the irritation and make dressing changes harder, not easier.

On top of that clear dressing, all we used was stretchy tube bandage (

stockinette)--light and breathable. for bathing we placed Glad press and seal

and scotch tape on top and bottom edges and then a picc cover(vinyl). We kept

his picc lines clean for about 6 months that way.

IF you choose to use a biopatch I would NOT put a stretchy bandaid or bandage

over that and under the clear dressing--the site needs more breathing space. and

the bandage adds adhesive irritation for many as well.

Finette

[ ] Thanks for advice re: Son with PICC

I really appreciate it all. Dr. wants to do another PICC< he said he

doesn't want to move on to a port just yet. Cody is doing fine; they wanted

to schedule the PICC on Friday but we are building a pool that is almost

done, so we are holding off for a couple of weeks hoping he will get a

chance to swim.

The ER said the infection was at the tip of the catheter and had not entered

the bloodstream yet, but that Cody would have been septic within 24 hours

had I not brought him in when I did. Once the source of the infection was

removed, it went away.

The culture showed the bacteria was of the micrococcus species, it was just

on the PICC line, and there was no fungal growth.

So that's where we are at! Thanks again.