Guest guest Posted April 14, 2004 Report Share Posted April 14, 2004 IF one has the option of voicing a preference of IV routes...what are the advantages/ disadvantages of a PIC line in the arm or a central line? What are the risks and adverse affects? Comfort levels? Limitations on activities? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2004 Report Share Posted April 14, 2004 hi wendy, i had a pic line for 3 months....it was bearable, and since i had it during wintertime, it was covered up by a long sleeve shirt..the administration of the rocephin antibiotic became routine and was no big deal.. ...a pic line is good if you will be using an iv for a relatively short period of time (hopefully).......the only hassle i encountered was taking a shower..you need to wrap your arm in a plastic bag.. ...all in all i had a good experience with the pic line (especially since my health improved dramatically with its use)...hope this helps good luck to you, bill > IF one has the option of voicing a preference of IV routes...what are the advantages/ disadvantages of a PIC line in the arm or a central line? What are the risks and adverse affects? Comfort levels? Limitations on activities? > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2004 Report Share Posted April 14, 2004 katherine, i do not know what IM stands for......i was never put on antibiotics of any form until after my heart enlarged (from inflammation) and i suffered congestive heart failure....then all the docs had no choice but to heed my demands for antibiotics...and a pic line was the route... bill > Bill, > > It certainly helped me to hear about how your health improved with a pic line. > > I hope to be able to say the same. I have yet to hear from my doc regarding > the matter. > > I am seeing the local doc next week in hopes he will show my in home health > care person how to give me the rocephin IM. > > Did you try that first? > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 Dear , I would regard these as some of the advantages of PICC lines over other central lines. Actually a PICC line is considered a central line because it does go all the way internally to your heart. I believe the letters stand for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. PICC lines can be inserted by a nurse in a home or non-hospital setting. Much cheaper than most other lines, particularly those which must be done in a surgical room with a whole surgical team. This is also quicker and easier to arrange usually and because it is cheaper easier to get approval from insurance. And the reverse is also true for removal. And if you do not have insurance, then the choice is obvious. PICC lines tend to be less permanent than other central lines though I have heard of people who have made them last months and months and people who have had other central lines who lost them in a short time. None of these things come with a guarantee and all of them are susceptible to infections, clotting, and leaks. They like all central lines have to have dressing changes weekly or more often if the dressing comes up. And with a PICC line, it may come up more often just because you move your arm at the joint. They are more visible than other lines unless you wear long sleeves all the time and can eventuallly crack at the point where the line bends in the arm. I would not hesitate to choose a PICC line unless you think you are going to be on IV's for years and years. Then I would go ahead and choose another more permanent option. Hope this helps. Take care, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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