PICC line being fitted

Hi Angie. 

I had one fitted in December, I'm squeamish so I just didn't look, it was painless, just a strange sensation. The nurses were really great and explained everything they were doing. I'm sorry i can't remember if I had a local anaesthetic, but probably.

I'm right handed so had it in my left arm, they did recommend no lifting heavy stuff, but I had no problem with vacuuming and other normal household tasks. 

The hospital gave me some covers for the shower, but i bought Limbo covers; one that just covered my upper arm for the shower, but also a full arm one for the bath. They aren't expensive and they arrived very quickly when I ordered them. My daughter who is a knitter knitted a cover for it too, but that didn't stay up very well, though its not such an issue in winter.

(I've had my PICC removed now because my chemotherapy has finished, but it made the infusions much more comfortable.) 

I have a nickel allergy so i couldn't have the standard line lock, I think it's called a stat lock, if you have a nickel allergy it's worth mentioning.

The dressing needs changing weekly and my infusions were every three weeks so my husband changed them on the weeks I wasn't in hospital. Apparently they used to bring people in to demonstrate how to do it, but due to COVID he just watched a video. My first dressing change was in hospital so I took photos on my phone to show him the process as well. I think it was easier having him do it than getting a district nurse in. Obviously it depends on your circumstances whether you have someone able and willing to do it.

I hope this helps, if you have any other questions please ask. 

Best wishes for the fitting x

Hi Angie,

I had a PICC line in, fitted up at Guys. The procedure was very simple, painless and the nurse explained everything. You can even watch on the screen as they position it . Certainly no question of a general. I hope that you find it as easy.

As for using the hoover, not sure what that is but I was ok in the workshop! (Though probably best not to over exert that arm, I'm sure the nurse will advise you when you have it fitted.) I also had a cover for it for the shower, courtesy of the NHS on prescription. Weekly changes of dressing were done at the local hospital where I had the infusion.

Hope all goes well, John

Thank you John.

Thanks Sal.

Hi . Youve had 2 great replies so far and I can confirm that it is a painless procedure and the best thing I did - no more searching for veins and numb arms after the iv. I was given a prescription for the limbo arm to cover it in the shower and just wore a piece of tubular bandage over it the rest of the time. I actually attended a wedding during my chemo and asked my mum to make me a cover to go with my black and orange spotty dress but then we decided wearing a black arm band to a wedding maybe was not the best idea! 
I think you’ll be ok hoovering (sorry!) but I was told not to do anything involving a swinging motion like tennis or golf.

Hope it goes well

Karen x

Thank you Karen. Had the PICC fitted today. Unfortunately they said my veins were small and there was a lot of stuff going on to sort it. My poor arm is very sore

I feel a bit nervous about having my first shower even though I have a Limbo sleeve to keep the dressing dry.

Hi . Hope your arm is feeling a bit better today. If they’ve said your veins are small then I think having the picc line will be so much better for you in the long run as they won’t be trying to find one every time you go and for bloods too - I’d had a couple of fortnightly stays in hospital after my op with daily blood tests and by the time I got round to chemo they said my veins were in a bad state!

I found the limbo sleeve to be very waterproof but you could always put some clingfilm over your line if you wanted an extra layer of protection?

Take care

Karen x

I found the limbo sleeve very effective in the shower.

If you like to soak in a bath (with the full arm sleeve) then I found that my arm began to sweat after a while. I always got as soon as I noticed that, it didn't cause any problems for me.