Waterproof PICC line covers

Hi Antony

My experience of a picc line in my arm did not go too well.  Some chemo nurses were a bit heavy handed and the picc line moved so that the port rested by my wrist, so it had to come out and i had the rest of the chemo every week via butterfly needles and it wasn't bad at all !   The picc line cover i had was totally useless as it let water in !

I have had a look and these ones seem more fit for the job as the arm becomes encased in like a shrink wrap so no water can get in, unlike the other cuff type generally available .

http://www.castcovers.co.uk/products/picc-protection/

I hope this helps 

Regards

Carol

Hi, I got a picc line cover from a company called Limbo, it is very good, cost me about 13.00 and arrived the day after i ordered it. Lynn 2

Hi, I had a Limbo plastic sleeve and it was very good. It came from my local pharmacy on prescription, they had to order it as they do different sizes - make sure you get a good fit.

I was told it was ok for bath or shower but not to swim in, I should think it would let water in at the cuffs if it was immersed.

The pic line was fine, although I had to have one taken out because the end cap sprung a leak, they cleaned it out and it squirted out at the nurse! They had a policy not to just change the end bits so took the whole thing out and put a new one in the other arm! I had it because oxaliplatin can hurt the veins if put in direct.

Good luck to your wife, hope this is helpful. Sue x

Antony

I was told specifically not to swim while on chemo as you're more susceptible to infection. As I recall, this was when I didn't have a picc line.  For showering with a picc line I used a shower sleeve from Boots. It wasn't great for keeping the dressings dry, but they are supposed to be waterproof so I didn't worry too much. The only time I got water under the dressing, I did go and get it changed as I didn't want the insertion point to be at risk of infection. 

I would advise asking the chemo unit about swimming. I think different units have different guidelines.

Best wishes

Thanks Carol - I'll take a look at these

Thanks Mandy - I will ask the chemo unit about swimming, I thought it was OK providing you wore a waterproof device but thinking about it just being in that environment is probably not the best place to be when your immunity is low.

Thanks Suesk - I will check out the Limbo device and thank you for the good wishes

Thanks Lynn - I will check out Limbo

Antony, my husband uses cling film, cheap and does the job. Just wrap it round your wife's arm a couple of times and no problem. Wouldnt go swimming with a Picc line though, have to watch out for infection and think it would become waterlogged

Mrs M

Antony,

I was also told not to swim during chemo, it was in fact the only thing my consultant said no to; biking fine, running fine G and T fine.

I got disposable covers from Amazon but they would be no good for swimming, fine for shower and bath (with arm hanging out).

My line is fine, no problems since having it fitted. It was a little sore for a few days after the fitting but nothing major, now I hardly notice it. Hope your wife is fine with hers too.

Jakki