For me it was all pros. My hands and arm meant getting bloods etc was getting impossible. It took an anaesthetist 7 goes at my last op.!!!!!! to get a line in. OUCH
Cons can be risk of infection, the need for a cover when showering, some people find it uncomfortable and the need to go weekly to get it flushed out. Plus a small procedure to put it in place. I was lucky it was simple and straight forward.
Others people will have plenty to say and there are alternatives but not all NHS trusts will agree to them.
All good from me though
Good luck
Leolady56
Life is like a boxing match, defeat is declared not when you fall .....But when you refuse to stand up again .......So, I get knocked down but I get up again. x
I thought my PICC line was the best thing ever! After multiple attempts at getting blood for tests, multiple attempts in A&E at trying to insert cannulas I became extremely needle-phobic. The PICC line meant that I no longer worried about being admitted to hospital ( multiple admissions due to neutropenia sepsis) . Yes you have to have it covered to shower , yes it needs flushing every week but to me that was preferable to the alternative!
Had mine in a week, easy to give chemo and take bloods, dont even feel it. I had little choice as I've had lymph nodes out and only got one arm to use for injections, blood tests. So it was definitely the right choice.
It goes in under ultrasound and the only bit I felt was the pre numbing injection.
Got to be a bit careful ie not strain arm, do repetitive movements but it's much better than cannula each time. They can last for ages if looked after. My oncology unit does the dressings, line flushes each week.
Only good things to say about PICC lines from me #Geordiegirl47. Echo what the others have said about having dressing changes and line flushes weekly, which lasted about 10minutes, max, at the local community hospital for me. Personally never had any issues with sampling for bloods or administering the chemo through. When it was removed, it didn't hurt me at all, just felt odd.
thanks for all your positive replies.i think I will be going for it.its just the thought of being tied to a weekly visit to the hospital 17 miles away to get it flushed.but as my chemo is weekly I’ll be there any way unless my chemo is cancelled.
