Picc line

[Rachael47]

I had Avastin on Tuesday. The nurse had trouble finding a vein, and managed on the third try. I have 9 more doses to go, and I am worried that they will want to put in a picc line. I know some people are happy with them, but it seems revolting to me. Can anyone tell me what it is actually like?

[Katmal-UK]

Hi Rachael. I put off having a PICC for so long, fear of the unknown I suppose. It is fairly easy to have fitted and within a couple of days I forgot it was there. Its not painful or anything. You can get a sleeve to wear over it when bathing or showering. You cant swim with it and you do have to have it flushed weekly but thats so easy to have done and totally painless. No more painful searching around for veins that arent there. Id definitely recommend a PICC. I think you'll be surprised xx Kathy.

[Hidden]

I suffer from hiding veins as well and however you do not need deep veins for Avastin but if you are offered picc line or port go for it, it is much easier I believe, wishing you well

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Rachael,

I have no experience with a picc line, after 4th line treatment I would be so stress out when I had to go in for chemo that I was given a port, it has been in for 2 years now and I would not be with out it. now when I go in for chemo or a scan it's in first time great.

If you don't like the idea of the picc line maybe you can have a port.

the port is under the skin and I have no problem with showering or swimming plus it's so easy to be put in.

I would go for one off the options

Best wishes Lorraine xx

[Tesla_7US]

Rachael, a titanium power port a cath would be much easier than a picc line. You can bathe, shower, swim and do anything without worry. I've had one for nearly two years and as wierd as this sounds, it makes chemo a pleasure! I also had an abdominal port a cath and loved it! Tesla in Seattle NED 7 months.

[27-359]

Hi Rachael, I was concerned about having a PICC but the constant digging around to find a vein which then promptly collapsed, finally convinced me. Treatment and blood tests are now so easy when we don't spend the first 30 mins soaking my arm in warm water and pushing and shoving needles in my arm.

The need to keep it dry is a bother but I got a plastic cover from Boots, and although I have covered it with long sleeves, I am now looking for something to cover it when wearing short sleeves. There are PICC covers available on Amazon, or I might just use a piece of tubular bandage. All in all, I would say go for it.

Jenny

[Rosewall101]

Hi Rachael, I agree with Tesla and Lorraine. First you need to do a bit of online be research. Have a look at both pic lines and ports. It's amazing what you can see / read about online be and on YouTube!

I can wholly recommend a port. My veins are a mess and I decided early to have a port again. It's a pretty simple procedure to have one put in but it is still an operation involving anaesthetic/sedation. The port is generally put in the upper side chest area and is a plastic disc below the skin. It makes chemo/Avastin so much easier. I am sure other ladies will tell you about their positive pic line experience but I can 100% recommend a port.

Best, T. X

[Hidden]

Hi Rachael, I have a PICC line, one if the best decisions I've made. However, I do miss my swimming so if I have to have more chemo after I've finished this regime I will be asking for a port a cath xxx

[Hairlessbeauty]

Hi,

Your veins will get weaker and weaker. You don't need a stress and additional pain. So picc line or port are what you really should do. Just think about it and make decision which one to choose.

I have a picc line and I am happy with it. No more pain. But when that will be possible I will ask doctor to exchange it for Port.

Picc line is for short time I'd say. Has to be flushed once a week, is visible, and you can't swim.

You can have a port for years, has to be flushed every 7, 8 weeks, you can't see it and you can swim.

Hope that will help,

Best wishes

Zaneta

[January-2016-UK]

Hello Zaneta - is that true, that our veins will get weaker and weaker? The nurses and the CT scan technicians always say I've got good veins and that always cheers me up, since I never knew I had! So I am now quite vain about my veins (😀😀). How long does it take for them to get weak? I have a cannula every two weeks and every eight for the scans. Do the blood tests ones count too? They don't hurt me at all, but I always watch the needle going in so I know exactly when.

If / when I need one I think I will opt for a Port so I can still go to aqua aerobics.

[Hidden]

hi Rachel , I may be going back on chemo ( after 2 and a half years of treatment and 18 months treatment free )Last time i was without a pickk or a port I'm considering it a must next time round. I was having a scan done last week and left with 7 attempts in my arms as they were trying to get veins. This is too distressing for me so Im being proactive this time round . Yes its the idea is a bit off putting but the practicalities outweigh the idea for me. Talk to someone who has it and do some research and good luck with your decision.

Sinéad

[Hidden]

Hi Racheal. I've had a PICC and a port. Both were a god-send but the port is by far the superior God-send ! Some discomfort when installing either of them, then only seconds of discomfort each time you have an infusion. A friend from my support group ran out of usable veins; for her CT scan, they now have to use her foot ! She had a port installed in her chest area, above a boob. Mine is the same as hers but in my upper arm, facing my body, so can't be seen at all, unless I show it off to someone ! Probably just depends on where the surgeon prefers to place it. I've had around 40 infusions of avastin thru it - no cleaning required and I really don't know it's there. I also don't dread going to the hospital since it was installed. Go for it. Best wishes. Pauline.

[LesleyGreengran]

I agree with Pauline. I've had a PICC and a port. They had to change it to a port as I had reactions to all the dressings. With the port-a-cath there's no dressing as it's hidden under the skin. I've swum in the sea, can shower or have a bath, and don't have to worry if it rains unexpectedly while I'm out. I've had mine for nearly three years now. They gave me some anaesthetic cream to put on when they accessed it but I reacted to that too so I manage without now and hardly feel the short needle they put into it. It's nothing like searching for a vein. The only advantage I can see with the PICC is that it comes out after treatment so if you are likely to have a long gap without treatment it might be better. I'm on weekly taxol now so the port's wonderful.

If you do go for the PICC - in hot weather I cut the sleeves off a long sleeve stretchy t shirt to cover it up and could still use the t shirt as a short sleeve one. You can buy expensive ready made sleeves on line. Someone gave me one but it was black and people thought I was mourning.