Picc Line

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Hi guys,

For those who have a Picc Line for their treatment, what is it like to have one like what does it feel like?? Can you feel it inside you at all?? What are the advantages and disadvantages and are they better or worse than just getting a cannula put in every time??

I have Stage 4 Serous Carcinoma Ovarian Cancer and while I finished Chemo back in August, I still have to have targeted treatment every 3 weeks for about a year! I've always just gotten a cannula every week as the thought of getting a Picc Line kinda scares me! I'm also Autistic with pretty severe sensory issues and I absolutely can NOT stand having to feel unfamiliar things in or on my body (I can't even wear make-up without just wanting to scratch my own face off!) So having to feel everything that comes with Cancer has NOT been fun in the slightest and the thought of also having to feel wires and stuff inside me that's actually connected to my insides or whatever just completely freaks me out!! But lately it's been getting harder and harder for them to find my veins and even for blood tests it's starting to take quite a while and they usually have to try multiple times before they finally get one and the fact that I apparently have very small veins definitely doesn't help! They've collapsed a couple of times now too, so now I'm wondering if getting a Picc Line would actually be better and more beneficial for me now instead......

So yeah if any of you have or have had a Picc Line for treatment then please feel free to share your experiences and thoughts below!

Thankyou :-)

rily 12 days ago

Hi thelittlewarrior98 . I had a PICC line in for several months for my own treatment. Mine was painless going in and once in I didn't feel it. Most of the time it is taped up and you forget about it. It needs to be flushed weekly. Takes a few minutes and is painless. Needs to be kept dry but you can get waterproof covers for bathing. I made do with clingfilm. You can also get covers for daily use to keep things hidden and tidy. Benefit is that it does away with constant needles. Bloods can be taken from the line, but not all nurses are trained for this and so the odd needle for blood tests. I hope all goes well. Best wishes.

Best wishes to All, rily.

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swift_dc 10 days ago

Hi thelittlewarrior98 , I was in another chat discussing PICC line a couple of weeks ago. You can find it here PICC line and washing advice - Macmillan Online Community it has some interesting information.

I had one for 3 months and it was only bothering me for the first couple of days as you have a 'foreign' object on your arm and so you do fell something is there... not like you feel the inside, but you feel the skin. It is a bit itchy for a couple of days, and also every time you get it cleaned / flushed they have to apply some desinfectant so it will also be itchy for an hour after every 'service' (once a week).

I was very careful sleeping only on one side for a whole week, thinking that I could damage it or something, but after that you get used. It is very strong and doesn't come out of place or anything.

I understand how this could be uncomfortable for you. For me I just had to get it, there was no choice, as one of the drugs caused extravasation. I was very happy I had it, looking around at the ward and seeing so many people struggling with needles every day just made me realize how convenient it was.

I bought a couple of these too in different colours just to give it a different look :)

LimbO PICC Line Sleeve - LimbO Products | Thesis Technology Ltd