PICC Line

Hi VJS1985

My mum was the same as you and had two years of treatment through a cannula . Now her veins are dreadful and blood a complete ordeal .

She has been in high dependency for two weeks with four endoscopies and they decided on a midline to assist with the theatre trips . Both mum and I concluded it was so much easier it’s a shame she did not do it for chemo .  Midline is different again but principle of making it much easier was certainly the case . She just hated the idea of it .

She had it in just for a few weeks but it was no bother at all . 
But it’s getting your head round all of it . Mum had a few chemo burns from her cannula and it was not pleasant for her . There were a few things in hindsight she would have done differently but you grow into the process  I guess .

Take care ,

Court 

Hi VJS1985,

I had a central venous access device (Portacacth) fitted 3 year ago for my first chemo. Slightly different from the PICC line but same principle. I didn't like the idea of having an implant under my skin and my kids ended up referring to it as area 51  . I was in New Zealand at the time and the procedures to fit it in and remove it 7 months later were done under local anaesthetic an sedation and pretty painless. I had another one fitted just over a month ago but didn't get luxury of sedation and very limited local anaesthetic, which had to be topped up partway throughout the procedure - not a pleasant experience, but then the same happened during my lung biopsy so it could just be me having developed some resistance to local anaesthetics or a very low pain threshold... From my experience and what I have seen the chemo infusion suites though, it makes it much easer having peripheral or central venous access and you do get used to it. Hope that helps x

Hi VJS1985. I had a picc line after struggling with arm pain after my infusions - felt like I’d been thrashed with stinging nettles and couldn’t bear clothes touching my skin. From that point of view it was an absolute godsend. 
The fitting is pretty painless - they numb the skin, make a tiny nick and feed the tube into your vein. I then had to go get an X-ray to check it was in the correct place - don’t know why you would need to go back to get the dressing changed at this point?

Advantages - bloods out and chemo in - no more arm pain or searching for veins. Can’t say that mine was any quicker unless your iv had been slowed down to minimise the impact on your veins?

Disadvantages - line needs to be flushed every 7-10 days so that’s a mid-cycle visit to the hospital unless you can get a district nurse out to do it?

Yes there is a risk of blood clots.

Nothing that involves swinging your arm about ie. tennis, golf, swimming etc. allowed

Cant get it wet but you can get a limbo arm sleeve on prescription which you put on your arm and it keeps the line dry in the shower

For me it was definitely worth it -  I was down to have 9 sessions and had it fitted after 3 and only lived a couple of miles from the hospital so used to pop in on my way to work for it flushing.

Hope this helps

Karen x 

Hey. That’s understandable. The only downside I found with a picc line is having to wear a protective cover in the shower. Mine took no more than 10 mins to be installed. I agree it can be weird at first but you get used to it. The district nurses were lovely when coming to flush and re dress it ever week. I had a reaction to the dressing with some red little lumps under the dressing but they just itched. No pain at all from it. You can cover it up with a sleeve when you go out in public. This be honest I would never have known I had one if I didn’t look at it every now and again. Good luck with your choice. 

Hello,

Most of the 40 mins will be cleaning the skin , the picc line doesn't take long to put in. Didn't feel a thing. It was the best thing ever. No more needles, they can take blood from it too. When I was having chemo I saw lots of people in pain with the cannula but you don't feel a thing with a picc line. I wrapped cling film round it when I had a shower. They sent a district nurse every week just to flush the line making sure it was kept clean and free from infection. You soon get used to it. 

Best wishes 

Julie

Hi VJS1985

I'm another one who would advocate having a PICC line fitted. It made my 12 cycles of FOLFOX chemo so much easier. Fitting was painless and took about 15 minutes and did not need sedation or anaesthetic. Removal, after 7 months was quick and easy. Only discomfort was in removing the hooks that kept the line in place externally. Was a case of chemo in, bloods out. I had a weekly flush of the line and redressing at the local community IV clinic.

I would definitely recommend it over the alternative chemo delivery methods.

Hi VJSI985i was diagnosed mid July and started chemo in August. I was upset about needing a PICC line but getting any samples from me was difficult as my veins kept falling in. The PICC line has been great to be honest. Much better than I thought and no more trauma trying to get blood samples. Wishing you all the best with decision planning and treatment. 

Hi i had a picc line fitted for my iv for breast cancer as they couldnt get blood after few times i was fine with it just had to cover with shower sleeve i got mine from boots if thats any help good luck with your journey

I had a PICC line fitted and have had no problems at all. I sit and watch nurses trying to find veins on other patients whilst in the chemo suite and am pleased I have my line in. It was relatively painless to have fitted and I have had no problems so far. I have just had my 3rd cycle of Folfox. 

Hi VHS I've always had awful skinny veins wrapped around my bones. So having trouble for nurses to get blood they recommended a pick line be fitted so did it great except for keeping it dry when showering, also it needs flushing every week, my treatment  is 4 weekly ! so District Nurse came for 3 Mondays to flush it, anyway I had a Portcatheter fitted in my arm and it's the best thing I ever did. Take care xx

Moi