Pick line

[Mjb49]

Hi ladies I’m having a pick line on Friday, after 6years on various chemotherapy I think my veins have given up, so any information on waterproof covers for shower etc would be great

Many thanks Maggie

[Davonian]

Hi Maggie, same here with more chemo and veins giving up on me. To be fair I'm done with them trying to find a vein that works. 😀 So my picc line gets fitted on the 22nd before my next treatment and I'm actually looking forward to it. It'll be a relief.

I was told about the waterproof Limbo to cover the picc and looked on Amazon but whilst at my gp surgery this morning I mentioned it. Lo and behold its on prescription. Quite pleasantly surprised as I can't even get paracetamol from them. 🙄😀 Should be picking it up from the chemist it in about 4 days.

Watch this space.

Jaki x

[Mjb49 in reply to Davonian]

Hi Jacki

Thanks for that information, that’s excellent to be able to get it on prescription, do you need to give them a size or is it one size fits all.

Yes like you I’m fed up of big bruises, I had a scan on Monday needed a cannula in after 4 painful tries I wouldn’t let them have another go, as needed to save veins for yesterday’s chemo. My picc is being fitted on Friday so will be in time for next weeks chemo. I will let you know how it all goes.

All the best Maggie

[Lizchips in reply to Davonian]

Pic lines are good according to my doc if you don't work in the outside like a barn. You don't swim. Try it but if you have issues. Have them put in a port. You can do everything. Best wishes, Liz

[Sashay2020 in reply to Lizchips]

I’m with you on the port, Liz. Mine was implanted before my first chemo. I’ve had it a year and everything goes through the port, chemo, blood draws, dye for CT scan goes in, although, I have to stop by chemo nurses who are certified to access the port before and after my CT scans. Sashay

[Mjb49 in reply to Lizchips]

Thank you Liz I’m hoping that now it’s fitted everything will be much easier, but I will ask for a port if I have any problems, best wishes Maggie

[Tillymint61 in reply to Davonian]

Hi jaki. You should be on a medical exemption certificate from diagnosis. However I have codeine on script but not paracetamol so maybe that's across the board.I developed allergies after treatment and had to argue to get daily antihistamines on script! I was surprised to get a prescription towards a wig.!! Very welcome as they aren't cheap.!! Take care Suex

[Davonian in reply to Tillymint61]

Thanks for this Sue, This is really helpful info. xx

[Mjb49 in reply to Davonian]

Hi Jaki Just to let you know I had the PICC line fitted yesterday, all went great no discomfort didn’t feel a thing, much easier than even having a blood test 😊

So wish I’d pressed to have it done beforehand, my oncologist doesn’t like them, but then we’re the ones having to put up with all the bruises and pain when they cannot find a vein, perhaps they’d feel differently if it was their hands and arms.

Take care and good luck with Maggie

[Davonian in reply to Mjb49]

👍This is really good to hear and painless fitting too! Bonus. 😀 You're absolutely right, Maggie, if the boot was on the other foot I'm sure they'd think differently. I know I'm done with the prodding and poking. Even the nurses will be relieved when it's fitted. 😀 The needles have been continuous since diagnosis, 2016 and no breaks to give the veins any chance of recovery.

So roll on Thursday! I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for your message, I'm feeling the relief already. XX

[Meridian14]

Hi Maggie, I ordered the Limbo waterproof for upper arm too, through GP on prescription. I think that I recall they have different sizes.. possibly small, medium or large.. I can’t remember.

[Mjb49 in reply to Meridian14]

Thank you meridian I will check into getting a limbo on prescription, when I had the PICC fitted yesterday they only mentioned buying one from chemist or amazon, or cling film. Thanks Maggie

[Irisisme]

Hi Maggie,

I’m surprised you have managed without a PICC line for so long! That, or a port or etc make life so much easier. Your chemo centre should provide shower sleeves but if you want something more robust Limbo do them on line. I got mine from Amazon - plus better shower sleeves and some pretty cloth and lace everyday covers (there were lots but do measure your arm and go by cm or inches).

Limbo do the sleeve you can bathe with but I haven’t used mine for a while as I never had full confidence in it and held my arm out of the water, and I didn’t like the rubbery but! I’ve just had daily showers since February - just to wet the skin and moisturise like mad!

Good Luck,

Iris 🤗

[Mjb49 in reply to Irisisme]

Hi Iris

Thank you for all the information about covers and shower sleeves, I shall definitely be looking into getting some coverings and a waterproof one for showering today. To be honest I don’t know why I haven’t pressed to have one fitted before, every time I mentioned it my oncologist would put me off by stating the risks etc, but enough was enough after so many attempts last time for having dye before scan and then failing leaving my arms black and bruised.

I shall look forward to having my blood taken today 😂

Best wishes Maggie

[Davonian in reply to Mjb49]

I would be interested to know about the covers. I've seen some online but they look a little flimsy but they look quite pretty too. Just something to hold it in place during the day.

[Ruebacelle]

Not a catheter?

[rosebine in reply to Ruebacelle]

Chemo through a catheter, I think you mean a cannula !

[Ruebacelle in reply to rosebine]

Well I think the word in English is catheter... a port installed in my case upper chest near the shoulder just inside the skin which stays chemo after chemo so you don't destroy your veins. Some people have it installed on their arms. In france thus is preferred method. A hour before chemo you place a lidocaine patch on the catheter area so their introduction of the line is painless. I have had it for all 76 soon to be 77 infusions. After chemo the line outside and inside catheter is always rinsed. Never had a problem. Hugs from. Paris

[Sashay2020 in reply to Ruebacelle]

A nurse showed me her port. Like yours, it was closer to the shoulder and invisible. Mine was placed in the chest area and it is an obvious grey lump on my chest. The port is gray plastic and because it is just below the skin, the color of the port shows through. Mine was correctly placed, but done by an inexperienced surgeon. Sounds like yours was implanted by a real pro! Sashay

[Ruebacelle in reply to Sashay2020]

Yes indeed...never had a problem but I never would have gone w infusing via veins that would be OK if there were 6 or less . Hugs from paris

[Sashay2020 in reply to Ruebacelle]

I will say that doctors came to me while I was in hospital after debulking more than once and pressured me to sign to have the port. They intimidated that a port was necessary to have any chemo. No mention was made of having chemo through veins in arms. After one chemo, I switched oncologists and hospitals. When I told the new oncologist that I had a port, he looked surprised and said “They put one in already?!?” Well, how interesting. Thanks for mentioning port timing. I understand their need for speed now. $$$$$$

[testarossa71 in reply to rosebine]

No, catheter is correct. Portacatheter is the full term

[Sashay2020 in reply to rosebine]

Ports are actually called port-a-cath in US. The port is implanted just below the skin on your chest and it is connected to a catheter that is inserted into a large vein, the jugular if I am not mistaken. Ruebacelle is correct about prescription numbing cream beforehand. It certainly has made chemo a bit easierSashay

[Ova-whelmed]

I was able to buy a limbo waterproof at the hospital. You can buy picc line covers on line. I always ment to but never got round to it the hospital always cover it with a new tubigrip when it's cleaned . I love my picc so much better than cannula ,hope it goes well x

[Leniko]

Is this like a chest port? I love mine. No more searching for unwilling veins. I’ve had mine since 2015. It just needs to be flushed every 6 weeks.

[Ruebacelle in reply to Leniko]

Yep

[Leniko in reply to Ruebacelle]

Thx. Mine is waterproof. They puncture the diaphragm in the port for bloods, treatment.

[Spoonsize]

I had a picc line for a couple of years but changed to a port a year ago and I must say I prefer the port. Picc lines have their benefits but mine was a double and quite ‘dangly’, and had to be wrapped , covered and held in place on my upper arm. It was also very sensitive to movement during chemo, and would set the machine beeping, on a whim. But it was better than a cannula. The port is so much better for Chemo, tho’ many nurses are reluctant to access it “ just for bloods”. If you find yourself in a different hospital to normal, you can wait ages till they find a nurse trained to use it. But , all in all, my port is my favourite.