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My Pulmonary doctor wants to put PICC line in

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 5/9/2013 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
I went to see my pulmonary doctor yesterday because for the last 6months I've been on 2 separate doses of prednisone, levaquin and flagyl. I've been much more SOB then usual and have had a chronic cough with fevers at least once a month. I do have a lot of pain in my left chest where the pleural lining was removed (more than usual) and I do have bronchiectasis since about 2007. My chest x-ray did come back without any changes from the last x-ray. So I figured he would do another round of antibiotics to make sure everything was cleared up but he came back with the director of pulmonary and told me they made a decision to have a PICC line put in and have I.V. therapy at home. I was OK with it sort of but my family was not real happy with there decision. Even after an explanation they weren't happy with it. I know I have to do it but the tension in the house is thick.. Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks a lot Randy..
Posted 5/9/2013 9:56 AM (GMT 0)
My wife is a cardio-vascular nurse and she said PICC lines really are not that big of a deal and in her job she loves it when a patient has one because it makes things so much easier and they can about everything through that line...admin IV fluids and medications, draw blood, etc....without having to hunt for a vein and stick someone over and over again.

about the only drawback is that you have to be a little careful around them at all times and especially soon after they are placed. Be sure to follow the doctors and/or nurses instructions perfectly in regards to care of the PICC line. If you do that you shouldn't have any real issues.
Posted 5/9/2013 10:00 AM (GMT 0)
I'll be leaving the hospital, someday, on IV meds as well. I already have a power port to I'm assuming it won't be much of a change.

Let me know how it goes. I'll be thinking of you.
Posted 5/9/2013 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jim1969 and rocckyd I really appreciate your input and your time. My last PICC line went really bad because the meds (clindamycin) I was receiving I was allergic to and nobody would believe me. They kept saying I was feeling that way because I was coming off of high doses of prednisone. I knew it wasn't the pred. and after suffering for 10 days as a inpatient my last dose was given as a bolus dose in 30mins and I knew than I was 100% right it was the clinda. I went home with the PICC line and the home infusion nurse wanted to give me a dose of the clinda and I asked he if she had and EPI-PEN or any other meds for anaphalatic shock and she said no she didn't have any meds for that condition. and I refused to have it infused and by the time she left it had been about 5hr's since my last dose in the hospital and the clinda was really starting to make me feel really uncomfortable so I was rushed to the hospital and given everything for anaphylactic shock. that was my first experience with the PICC line. But I blame the personnel for that problem. I am nervous but I trust my doctors

rocckyd I've been following your posts and I really hope you feel better
Posted 5/9/2013 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
It really wasn't the PICC that caused the bad experience but rather the medication which would have happened if it had been given in a standard IV port, but I do fully understand how and why you associate the two which is a perfectly normal response.
Posted 5/9/2013 2:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully you have your own EpiPen to keep with you to give you peace of mind and that you have listed that medication on your records for all Drs. to see that you are allergic.

I know it's hard, but try not to worry about something that happened in the past as more times than not, things go fine with putting this PICC line in and making it easier to get the medication you need.

Hope everything goes well!
Posted 5/9/2013 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hope the picc line goes smoothly for you, many Prayers, will be thinking of you.
Posted 5/9/2013 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
I have had to have a PICC like 5 times now and went home with it twice. I love them and if I expect to be in the hospital more than a couple days I ask for it right away.
As Jim said, it wasn't the PICC line that was the problem it was the meds. Hope all goes well this time.

Take care,
Bill
Posted 5/9/2013 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
Like Jim's wife said way more convenient and less chance of infection from being subjected to repeated sticks.

I agree it was not the route of the Med but the Med itself. Most likely would have occurred no matter how you got it.

Is that the family's only worry?
Posted 5/10/2013 9:38 AM (GMT 0)
I received the call from the home health agency and they told me it was a 14 day supply of vanco that will cost $2.65 but another $20.00 a day for supplies. Because I have medicare part D So they want $280.00 up front. I told them it's impossible and if they can break it down to $50 to $60 a month and I will give them post dated checks. I hope it works..

Thanks for all the feedback.. I showed my family the posts and it changed there outlook on the procedure.. Everybody feel well.. Randy
Posted 5/10/2013 11:11 AM (GMT 0)
Randy, I hope your PICC line placement goes well. I've had two PICC lines put in. The procedure isn't to bad, I'll keep you in my prayers that all goes well.

I now have a mediport so it's used for all things I need done. I'm sorry your previous experience was so bad, but I have to agree with the others, it was the medication that was the problem, not the line itself.

I hope the home health care agency is willing to work with you on your co-payment. Wishing you the best and please keep us updated on how things are going.

Hugs,
Barbara
Posted 5/11/2013 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
I did my own I've antibiotics at home w/ my picc and had refilled balls of antibiotic that went in over 20 mins. It was all much better than Being in hospital. Hopefully things will go well for you as well.
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