Picc lines for Remicade

[britt_l_andy]

I have been taking Remicade for just about 2 years now I go every 6 weeks. I have had Crohn's for three years now. The nurses have always told me that its hard to find my veins. I went Wednesday and they had a very hard time. I took just about an hour to get my iv stated. The nurses were taking about maybe I should get a picc line :depressed: because I am going to be doing this for a while maybe the rest of my life. Does anyone else out there have a picc line? I am not to sure that I want one.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I don't know if this will help, but once when the nurse couldn't find my veins she had me run my arms under warm water for a while. That sounds ridiculous to get a picc line for something that you do every 6 weeks. If it was every day that they needed to find a vein, maybe.
Good luck, and welcome!

 

[britt_l_andy]

I think my arms are messed up because of my trips to the er. They never seem to do anything right. After er trips my arm is black and blue for weeks and that area never seems to work again. I'm not sure what to do.

 

[Paulah28]

When I was really sick they had to put a pik line in. After 2 months I asked that they take it out as there was no real need for it. It was nice going a couple of months without being pricked but it was just another thing I had to deal with....cleaning, taping it so it will not get caught on anything. Maybe you should think about having one for a short period of time as they can always be removed.

 

[butt-eze]

A picc line sounds a little extreme. A port is common for people who get frequent infusions but a picc line is not a good solution. I've had one in each arm but that was only for a hospitalization. An hour isn't bad. I would suggest you have them call their IV team. Is this done at a hospital? There are some people who are just better than others. Always drink plenty of fluids before an infusion. I've had nurses use warming pads on me. I wouldn't add one more hassel to your life.

Amy

 

[britt_l_andy]

My arm was in warming pads I had the best guy there. He never has any problems. I drink tons of water everyday because of this problem. They told me my veins will stop at some point anyways.

 

[mommy1st]

I always get a PIC line whenever I am admitted to the hospital. I usually ask for one because my veins aren't the best whenever I get an IV it ends up blowing a few hours later. I currently have a PIC line for an out patient treatment which is working rather well. I just go in to the hospital in the evening for IV meds but I have never had one for something that I would only be getting every six weeks. I would only use the PIC for this as an absolute last option. Good Luck

 

[saidinstouch]

Do some forearm exercises to bring your veins to the surface. Those spring grip things (not sure any better way to describe them but someone else prolly can) would work and prolly give you decent results within like 4-6 weeks. Pushups also work, but that is a bit more effort.

The suggestion of warm water or a warm moist towel on the forearm for 5-10 minutes also really helps a ton. Make sure to drink A LOT OF water the night before and day of the infusion because dehydration makes your veins less responsive and leads to their contracting when a needle is inserted causing the stick to fail.

Hopefully these couple suggestions will help prevent you from need a PIC line.

 

[Jeff D.]

I can't stand pic lines. They hurt much more when they insert them than they say it does. It's not just a little pressure it's an extremely painful pressure. Also, others gave good suggestions about getting your veins to surface more. Good luck

 

[teeny5]

I have really good veins and the last time I went to get blood drawn the guy totally bruised me up. First time that has ever happened. I think often it is who is taking blood or doing the IV that has the issues not your veins. I wouldn't get a pic line if you don't want to.

 

[Babe123]

I think my arms are messed up because of my trips to the er. They never seem to do anything right. After er trips my arm is black and blue for weeks and that area never seems to work again. I'm not sure what to do.

i know that feeling.. i can out of the hospital covered in bruises cos the nurse couldnt find a vein but kept trying. my veins are really bad and never want to give blood.

i dont see why you would need one unless you are having injections every day.
x

 

[SusanB]

Hello,
I've had
a pic line on and off the past two years. I just could not hold any more IV'S. So at the moment I have iv gravol and suppose to start biologics in the next couple of weeks. Yes they are a pain. But I suppose it goes with what your situation is. I know with my frequent hospital visits its a blessing to me and I'd have to beg my Dr to remove it. But I'm also one for not liking the constant jabs.
Wishing you good luck with your decision
Susan

 

[acc929]

Heat is a good suggestion.

At my hospital they do a lidocaine shot before inserting the IV so that if they need to finagle it a bit it doesn't hurt. I also lost most IVs after a day after my most recent stay, so a nurse put in what's called a mid-line, which is like a compromise between a picc and a normal IV. With the lidocaine i didn't feel it and it held for four days. Also had less irritation with the IV antibiotics, and it comes out as easily as a run of the mill IV, too. Any good IV nurse should be able to insert one in three mins flat. Ask after it.

 

[acc929]

or maybe a port would be better? my dad has one for chemo. he had to go on blood thinners with it but when he isn't using it, it causes him zero issues and he doesn't notice it. it might be less trouble than a picc line.

 

[meganmila]

Yeah, the people have a hard time finding veins on me too. I was in the hospital recently and the vein lasted from sunday to like Tuesday cause it blew. It seems like my veins are just so tiny and don't respond. I have bruises on both my arms now. One time at Remicade it took them about 7 times to get a vein...it sucks...but I will take the suggestions said in this thread.