Hi, I don't know anything about the insurance companies, because my mom and dad handle all that stuff, plus our llmd is in state. All I know is that he wrote a prescription for the picc line placement, and we had it done in a radiology dept. at a hospital. That's what I did both times, same place and everything.

And the shirts....well the picc's not something you can really compare the width to, it depends on how long the extension is. The actual picc line is a little tiny tube that's always covered in plastic. The thing that gets me is that our nurse puts on a longgggg extension like 12 inches long, so we can do the IV's ourselves with both hands. That bugs me, because I have to actually rap it around my arm, and i put a sleeve over it. (The kinda sleeve that you get when you get a tatoo, or our nurse brings a tighter fishnet thing that doesn't stretch) I wear short sleeve shirts and sweatshirt jacket thing on top of it, I'm lucky it's cold at my school!

It will be sore for a little, my first one was worse than my second. I agree with Jenn, heat helps. The first few days I would suggest a short sleeve shirt, but Heather always wears tight long sleeve shirts and she's fine, you just see a bulge on her arm!

When your nurse comes you can ask more questions and everything, I know every nursing company is different, So you may have a short extension or something, which makes it a little easier.

I hope this helps a little!

-Aryn

I know going that route can be a tough decision. Sounds like you thought it through and are willing to try it. Congrats on that. (I think I'd make the same decision for myself if it were ever prescribed, but I guess my LLMD seems to think there are other avenues to explore with this.)

Anyways, from what I've heard, you may need some sore of rig to enable you to shower with the PICC. https://www.brownmed.com/Products/StoreProductDetail29.cfm?StoreProductId=99
can be ordered over the Internet.

Best of luck with this new treatment. I am sure it will get you results. Keep us posted.

Sorry I can't be more help. Maybe google it for your state. A north carolina nurse posted about it here a while back, but I believe you're up north. Anyway, he's a helpful nurse...Here's that post

http://dailystrength.org/c/Lyme_Disease/forum/4949682-picc-lines

Thanks gals! I really appreciate your help. Aryn... do you use one of the special PICC covers when you take a shower or bath, or do you have an other trick?

I didn't know they made accessories to protect the PICC line... good to have THAT info for sure.

OK, the PICC line itself is not that big. It resembles an IV line that you get in the back of your hand or the inside of your arm, for size. The extension tubing is a bit problematic, but after you get used to it you will be tying it up under itself in no time. I also used a wrap by a comapny called Mueller, bought in a Wal Mart. A tube sock (the elastic part) works GREAT in keeping everything up and protected. You don't need any new clothes, really (unless you want to buy them!) because it isn't really THAT big. Remember, the end of the extension tubing, the "hub" or "port" as it is called, is a closed vacuum system and is NOT a big source of infection as long as you wipe it off with alcohol before beginning your infusions. The part where the PICC meets the skin is the source of possible infection, BUT it is covered very well and this is really unlikely. Hey, first week I had my PICC, I watched the extension port drop into the toilet as I was toweling myself off after a shower. And I lived to tell about it, lol.

Getting it placed feels a bit odd, but not very painful (no worse than getting an IV or getting your blood drawn). Make sure the morning of the procedure not to drink coffee or have caffeine as that causes the veins to clamp down (so I found out the hard way).

Any questions, give us a yell!

Becky makes a good point about the size of the line (Aryn too!).

It is TINY TINY TINY width. I was shocked when they took my first one out. I expected it to be about 5 times larger in circumference than it is. I'd compare it to a French wire post earring. I was expecting something more like a thin cable, like to an ipod.

I have no experience but was told home health could come do this at your home---???

The PICC itself will need to be placed in a hospital setting, but after that, a home health nurse will come in once per week to change the dressing on the site and switch out your extension tubings. But yes, the meds are given at home, by YOU. You get to drag an IV pole around for a half hour or so, like a little puppy you never wanted...

I lost my ability to think this is a good thing. I can't stop feeling angry about this whole sucky disease.

No, this is a VERY good thing, a very aggressive treatment that WILL help you. Remember, I had HUGE improvements after only a few days on the Rocephin!!!

It's just hard for me to see it. I "know" you are telling me like it is... but it feels to me like everything will change. My job will be in jeopardy b/c I will have to adjust my hours to accomodate my meds and/or my herxing. I guess I am starting to believe that I will never feel better.... never. I don't remember feeling this way before. I don't ususally let myself get that discouraged... but this just feels really bad.

Seems to me that things can only improve with this treatment. You will never know for sure though unless you try.

I know. I will if he says to. I will.

Hi. I'm new to this site, but not to Lyme, unfortunately. I had the PICC tx this past Oct for 6 weeks. I was very scared about getting/having that line, especially being a nurse and knowing just about everything that could go wrong. But nothing did, and getting it was no worse than, as another respondant said, having blood drawn (I've actually had worse blood draws than having the PICC inserted). I had a wonderful home health nurse who was always available to call and who lived not far from me.
I wore just short sleeve shirts with a long sleeve shirt over it, my usual style :) or lack thereof, I guess. I wish I had known there was a product out there to cover the contraption for showering, cause that was the hardest part for me -- keeping it dry.
This whole thing is a nuisance, but after a short while you will come to view it as just another thing we have to do to get well. I kind of missed the darn thing when it was all over and I could just hop into the shower anytime I wanted and without a big bulky thing hanging on my arm!
Drink lots of fluids, and listen to your body. Take it easy, too. Be prepared for the herxing, and try not to be discouraged by that, but encouraged by knowing that the tx is working. Blessings to you.
Know you're not alone, and we're rooting for you.

Laura

Thank you everyone... soo much. You have helped me in countless ways. My LLMD decided to stick with the combo of oral abx I am on for now b/c I am still making strides, PLUS I have a history of allergies to abx, so I need to see an allergist first. PLUS, he wants me to see a neurologist as well. Then we will be in a better position to decide on PICC line. Now that I got all this worry out of the way early maybe I won't be such a wreck... lol...don't quote me on that OR hold me to it, but I'll try. Anyway, I am mostly relieved b/c it will get me through the busiest time at work, and if I need and IV it will be in the spring. Can you go in the sun on Rocephin? I have been on doxy for 6 months... I miss the sunshine. I'm hoping I can be a little less cautious when I dump the doxy. I am by no means a sun goddess, but I like to be warm!!!

Thank you, everyone, for your remarks about the PICC line. Love the info about the shower device, and laurenpn, being a nurse and hearing your thoughts was reassuring! All the info was so helpful.

My hubby has Lyme and right now he is on abx, and will be on a series of them for co-infections. His LLMD said he thinks he will finish up all treatment with this type of device, and some type of antibiotic. Now I find out I've got Lyme, too- haven't seen the doctor yet, only have the test results- so I am preparing both of us for what to expect. The PICC line sounded scary, but you folks don't make it sound that terrible. Thanks again!