Oh My! Im so sorry :(

I dont know about the picc line. But I have had a TPN, but only for a week. The TPN was in my mid arm. For showers they had to disconnect the TPN , leaving the insertion site in there, and put plastice over the site.

I figure the same would be done for the picc line.

I had a PICC line last year after a severe case of Acute pancreatitis, I didn't have any problems while I had it, I did find wearing a piece of legging helped hold the tube to my arm so it didn't pull when walking around. I couldn't stand up for most of last year for extended periods with my pancreatitis so I took baths, I just had to hold my arm out of the bath, it's a pain, but worth it since the heat helped my back and infected pancreas. I did wrap my arm with the sticky version of plastic wrap which worked okay, I discovered shower guards once I had been in the hospital after I'd had my PICC removed, they would probably work better to cover the line. I ended up having it removed because I got a rash from an allergy to an antibiotic, the rash went below the plastic dressing they cover the PICC line with causing it to get inflamed where the tube enters the skin. I think if I hadn't had that rash I would have kept the PICC line, but they could not move it to my other arm so I ended up having a Hickman catheter which is a whole other discussion. Just make sure if you have anything strange happen with the PICC to call your home nurse or doctors office right away, don't wait, mine turned into a mess but mostly because of a rash that was really bad.

I also had a picc line for about a year prior to changing to my Hickman which I currently have and have had for almost 2 years. I didnt have many issues with my picc, just the fact that it got in the way. But just as the previous reply stated I would get these sleeves with my picc line supplies. As long as you take good care of it and have it changed weekly, you should have many complications. I have a home nurse who comes out twice a week for both wound care and picc/hickman dressing changes. I did get a infection once which planted me in the hospital for a week but nothing serious. Im sorry if you are having issues and complications with yours I could undestand how that could be frustrating. With showers I just had to tightly wrap my arm in a garbage bag and try my best to keep out of the water. Try not to be scared, and trust me your not alone. Its something that will become second nature and that youll learn to live with. My family gets a kick out of mine, and call them my av cords and try to hook me up to every tv or dvd player around. lol. God bless and good luck.

http://picclinenursing.com/picc_use.html
gives you all the info you may need:)

I had a PICC line for awhile and was also terrified of it. I didn't tolerate it well, but that was because the doctor was trying to run fluids through in an 8 hour period that should have taken 12. I thought it would help to have the nutrients at night, but it just made me have to get up constantly to go to the bathroom and I was exhausted. If I have to ever do it again, I would have it run during the day. I guess it all depends on whether or not you have to go to work or can stay home. The drug stores sell a sleeve/mitt that slides on your arm and covers your hand to your shoulder. It is snug and specifically for showering/bathing. It fits so well that I did not have a problem. As far as infection, follow all the rules and be careful. I had a visiting nurse that cleaned the site and it was very helpful to be able to contact her whenever I was not feeling right. I hope you will have someone to help you! I was extremely careful with washing hands and staying away from anyone that is sick. Buy some tube socks and cut the toes out of it. You can slide these over your arm (over the bandages) and it will hold the tubes in place so that you do not pull on them and irritate the site. Just be sure to use a clean one every day. I was really scared to get the PICC line too, but I already had malnutrition and didn't have any choices left. If you have to be TPN for 6 months, you really don't have a choice either. You do not ever want to wind up with malnutrician and Ascites. Once the PICC line is in place, please post and let me know how you are doing. I know how scary this is, but you will be fine.

Thank you so much Diane - the site was great. Paula, will let you know for sure how it goes.

The last 5 years or so I've developed a sweating problem. At first, I went into early menopause and was able to take hormones to reverse it. I just got tested and am not now in menopause but I sweat so much every day it's not funny. I literally can wring my shirt out and get drops of water. I change my clothes 2-9 times every day - mostly shirts.

I'm really worried that this problem will cause the dressings to be wet all the time as my arms sweat too. The sweating doesn't seem to be linked with activity, although that always makes me sweat. But I can be laying in bed or on the couch and have an attack.

Have you had sweating problems? It's not a feminine 'glow' either! More like you fell into a lake and emerged! Yucko.

Ta, Robbin

I know exactly how you are feeling. I just got my PICC yesterday. I chose to get it because my veins are wasted from repeated IV and blood draw attemps and the fact that I can no longer digest food or retain calories and nutrition.

This is such and evil disease...

My weight (I'm 5'7") is at 116. I'm malnourished. I have persistent nausea and vomiting, as well as diarrhea. I will have the PICC for at least 6 months, maybe longer. While it's not the greatest "accessory" to have, it's a necessary one to keep me from starving.

A PICC will cause us to give up some comforts and activities. I love to swim but I won't be able to. I enjoy an occasional bath but those are going to be a thing of the past for a while. No heavy lifting, no repetitive movements...the list goes on.

I totally understand how you feel. When I was diagnosed 8 months ago, I was so incredibly scared. I thought I was going to die. I've had 5 attacks in 8 months.

All in all, though, I'm glad I have it. I will be able to get nutrition but rest my digestive system at the same time. In the event of another attack, I will have easy access for fluids, meds and antibiotics. It will be worth it. The insertion was easy and fast. There was no pain. It's sore right now but that will go away.

If you end up getting one, follow your doctor's directions to the letter and keep all of your appointments for flushing and dressing changes. Be very observant for any problems and report them immediately. You will be told what to look for. A PICC can really work to your advantage. That's why I made the decision to get one.

Laura

Thanx. I have many of the same issues as you. I'm malnourished (so many of my vitamin levels are at dangerous lows as well) and have trouble digesting even liquids during my bad spells. I eat almost nothing but for some mean, evil reason I'm the heaviest I've even been. How rude is that?!?

May I ask you to keep me posted as to how your PICC line/life is going? I think if I knew more then I wouldn't be so scared. I've had a PICC line for 5 days in hospital and it really hurt. Got clogged and didn't work for blood draws and such. They put it in for TPN and also because my IV's were blowing every 8-12 hours. In 5 days I had 57 pokes for IV's and blood work! Yucko.

Hope this helps you get your body balanced and gives you strength. My thoughts are with you! Nibbor aka Robbin

Me? I'm desperately thin...116 this morning and wearing a size 3. Um...I'm 42...not 12!! Puberty was a looooooong time ago!

So far, so good with the PICC. Last night was a bit uncomfortable as I'm used to sleeping on my left side and the PICC is in my left arm (I'm right handed). I'll get used to it. It's not sore anymore. I have my first dressing change on Thursday (5/24). I start the TPN next week. Because of the invasion of my roommate's privacy by home health, I think I'm going to opt to have it done at the local hospital.

I showered with it tonight by wrapping it in saran wrap and securing it with waterproof tape (Nexcare brand). It worked like a charm. However, I think I will get some of those sleeves for better protection since saran wrap isn't very cooperative even in the best of circumstances.

It's not so bad. I'm going to take good care of it and maintain it like I should. I also got a pink "limb restriction" armband from my local hospital so emergency and hospital personnel will know that I can't have any blood pressures or sticks to that arm. IF YOU HAVE A PICC, GET ONE!! Your hospital should be able to supply you with one.

So sorry to hear about your weight loss. It sucks to have your body out of your control for sure.

It's weird that I've gained so much weight. I worry sometimes it's something else since it's all in my abdomen. I've always had a really small waist and a big butt! Now I have this strange bump.

Glad to hear the PICC isn't hurting anymore. Will you let me know if it hurt with the TPN? Sorry to hear you can't have it done at home. Do you have any family/friends around to help you? Take care.

I'll keep you posted. I don't know you but I definitely feel like I've made a friend. :)

Hey, re: making a friend. Me too! What a relief from the loneliness and isolation. How things are well. TTFN Robbin aka Nibbor