Pic line - advice please?

Hi 

Welcome aboard

If you are wimpy about needles and veins you will sure appreciate having your PICC iv Line 

The weekly flushing and needing a waterproof sleeve for showering is a bit of an inconvenience but is well worth that minimal hassle for all the benefits it will bring.

Easier more comfortable and faster chemo sessions and no needles for the many 'bloods' taken.

Fitting takes around 30 mins and is usually hassle free with minor pain issues - arm can ache for a couple of days while it settles in.

There is a Maccy Info page you can find clicking here all about PICC iv Lines. Also the regular monthly chemo chat you can get involved with = February BC Chemo Club link which is a great place to ask questions among those who are having or have been through chemotherapy.

Hope this is of some help for now, take care, G n' J

Hi , I'm glad I got a pic line.

Its put in under xray so they can see it's in right place. They put local anaesthetic first which stings for a few seconds then should just feel pushing. You dont feel it going up your arm. 

Care wise you need a cover for shower which they might give you. Biggest problem for me was not being able to carry heavy shopping bags.  I was really guarded about catching it a first but now I forget it's there.

I had first chemo in vein as they couldn't get me an appointment for picc first and you can see the vein is damaged after just 1 session so def worth doing. Good luck with everything xxx

Hi Cheeboe

Thanks so much for that, it was the 'pushing up the arm' bit that was slightly worrying me, silly I know !     You've reassured me and your nasty experience with a damaged vein (hope it's recovered now) is well worth avoiding. yes, I can imagine carrying heavy things is a not good but I guess that's minor compared to the alternative XX

Thanks for the reply and best of luck to you as well xxx