Picc line

Hi I had this problem 1x and when they couldnt take blood the same morning they gave me someting sorry dont remember the name of the fluid in to the line.Its not flush.I had to wait 30 min and they tried again and they managed to take blood.So would be a good idea to ask for this stuff.

Thank you for replying. They struggled last week but got it in the end. I go to a local clinic for my picc care so they are going to email my chemo unit and make them aware of the issue. I hope they can sort it out as I read if they can’t I may have to have it taken out and redone and I really don’t want that! 

Hi Lollypop I know what you mean.When i saw they couldnt take my blood i was all over the place.For me the Picc line insertion was a nightmare.It wasnt painfull but I am a germ and infection "freak" I was worried I will get infection and then I will have to be in hospital.If you can ask for this meds to clean the picc line.It was working for me.

Good luck

I will let them sort it out tomorrow before my chemo...I just hope they can as it’s playing on my mind but I’ve been told it’s a common issue. I found the picc line insert ok after working myself up over it it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I still hate it and hate going every week to have it dressed and cleaned! 

Hi Lollipop.I am the same.I hate it because I used to like to have bath.Now i have to keep my arm up so it doesnt get wet and also on the tube when is overcrowded i have to protect my arm so they dont hurt me.Plus I loved travelling now I cant fly anywhere.I was told its safe to fly but I dont want people looking at me at the airport and I have to explain what is it.Its very tyring but i think its better then cannula because they dont have to prick you every week.

Hi 

You can get waterproof PICC line covers / sleeves and some come in funky colours.

You can check them out using your web search.  One lady here a couple of years back cut up an old patterned black tights/stocking leg and used that when going out with uncovered arms or under a blouse with black sheer sleeves ?

Just a thought, G n' J

I had this the whole way through having chemo. Picc line was no problem with letting fluids in but was a nightmare in getting bloods out. The nurses used to have me swinging my arm around in the air before they tried, then I used to have to have someone massaging my arm while someone else had to battle to get blood out. We tried vacutainers and syringes , one time they pulled so hard on the syringe that the plunger shot out of the nurses hand across the room. I got used to it, the nurses got used to it , we adapted and managed .

I went and had some unblocker put down there on Wednesday and a chest x Ray to see if it had moved ( it hadn’t ) went for chemo yesterday and still no blood coming out  the nurses weren’t concerned but I was an anxious mess!! They said it may sort itself out, my chemo went ahead yesterday thank goodness as that was my main worry. Such a pain but nice to see I’m not the only one with issues!!