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PICC Line Infections
I am very active on the FB support groups for Lyme. Yesterday someone died because her infected PICC line went to her heart and killed her. Please, if you have a PICC line be very careful. They get infected easily. I had one once, it got infected so it came out and I never put one in again.
Actually I was cured of my Babs from a blood transfusion or it was a really big coincidence.
Thanks for telling me I'm not nuts! You may be the only one to think that though. LOL
Not many people have hemochromatosis----a lot of doctors don't even check for it.
Didn't you say once, a long time ago, that you had gotten an infection from donated blood? Was that what it was? I assumed it was Babs.
Or am I really nuts?
Not many people have hemochromatosis----a lot of doctors don't even check for it.
Didn't you say once, a long time ago, that you had gotten an infection from donated blood? Was that what it was? I assumed it was Babs.
Or am I really nuts?
Cave, you aren't going nuts. I had a Picc line to take blood out for a month or so because I had hemochromatosis and because it got infected took it out.
I know a nurse who had to have 3 pics because they got infected.
I know a nurse who had to have 3 pics because they got infected.
I said "I wouldn't like the idea of a catheter coming so close to my heart". I knew it didn't go into the heart. But thanks for that explanation! I sort of understand now.
The PICC ends at the superior vena cava because (wiki):
"The superior vena cava (also known as the cava or cva) is a large diameter, yet short, vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium."
It doesn't go 'into' the heart as some explanations make it sound. Like this one:
"A PICC line goes into the superior vena cava of the heart. Many medications or solutions such as TPN are harsh and hurtful to the smaller veins in our bodies. Because the blood flow in the superior vena cava is so strong and fast, it can distribute medications quickly without damaging the vessel."
The second explanation explains why Rocephin isn't injected into a vein that's easily accessed if it's for 'long term' access". Too caustic.
R. is sometimes injected into a vein in the hand------ but rarely for any time more than a day or so because of it's caustic properties. One person I knew had, for some unknown reason, Rocephin injected through a vein in her hand for more than a few days! BIG mistake. Hurt like h***.
Some other drugs, I don't know what kind, could possibly be delivered through a vein in the hand but not Rocephin!
"The superior vena cava (also known as the cava or cva) is a large diameter, yet short, vein that carries deoxygenated blood from the upper half of the body to the heart's right atrium."
It doesn't go 'into' the heart as some explanations make it sound. Like this one:
"A PICC line goes into the superior vena cava of the heart. Many medications or solutions such as TPN are harsh and hurtful to the smaller veins in our bodies. Because the blood flow in the superior vena cava is so strong and fast, it can distribute medications quickly without damaging the vessel."
The second explanation explains why Rocephin isn't injected into a vein that's easily accessed if it's for 'long term' access". Too caustic.
R. is sometimes injected into a vein in the hand------ but rarely for any time more than a day or so because of it's caustic properties. One person I knew had, for some unknown reason, Rocephin injected through a vein in her hand for more than a few days! BIG mistake. Hurt like h***.
Some other drugs, I don't know what kind, could possibly be delivered through a vein in the hand but not Rocephin!
Wow, thanks for sharing!
I wouldn't like the idea of a catheter coming so close to my heart anyhow. It seems like there should be other ways to deliver IV antibiotics. An injection through the vein, artery or something like that.
That way we wouldn't have to deal with PICC line infections!
I wouldn't like the idea of a catheter coming so close to my heart anyhow. It seems like there should be other ways to deliver IV antibiotics. An injection through the vein, artery or something like that.
That way we wouldn't have to deal with PICC line infections!
Sometimes 's**t happens' and causes an infection with a PICC line. But I firmly believe that sterile technique is the way to go.
A couple of ways some people might get an infection with a PICC is by
1. picking up heavy objects using the PICC arm (and that might include picking up a toddler, which can hardly be avoided for some people),
2. sweating--- which COULD be avoided by not exercising etc but also may be because a person lives in a hot, humid area.
Both of them CAN be mitigated a bit but it would mean the patient would have to take special precautions.
But most people NEVER get an infection and thus don't become headlines.
A couple of ways some people might get an infection with a PICC is by
1. picking up heavy objects using the PICC arm (and that might include picking up a toddler, which can hardly be avoided for some people),
2. sweating--- which COULD be avoided by not exercising etc but also may be because a person lives in a hot, humid area.
Both of them CAN be mitigated a bit but it would mean the patient would have to take special precautions.
But most people NEVER get an infection and thus don't become headlines.
It is a good reminder not to get sloppy with a PICC line. I'm sure 10's of thousands of PICC lines go in every year and the patients are better off because of the medicine they got through it.
I may have to get one myself... it's a good reminder.
I may have to get one myself... it's a good reminder.
Oh, I could have sworn you had a PICC at some point. I went looking because I thought---- now I'm hallucinating! (grin)
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Lyme-Disease/How--exactly-does-IV-antibiotics-work--/show/2062171#post_9765455
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Lyme-Disease/How--exactly-does-IV-antibiotics-work--/show/2062171#post_9765455
I also read that a doctor (who practiced some 'alternative' therapies) had Lyme disease and was treating herself using a PICC.
She died from an infection in her PICC line.
That made the news.
There's never been a headline that I've seen that trumpets:
"(insert name) still alive and remains uninfected from PICC line after 8 months of use."
LOL
Mojo has told us her testimonial.
My testimonial is '17 months with a PICC and no infection'.
They're both true.
She died from an infection in her PICC line.
That made the news.
There's never been a headline that I've seen that trumpets:
"(insert name) still alive and remains uninfected from PICC line after 8 months of use."
LOL
Mojo has told us her testimonial.
My testimonial is '17 months with a PICC and no infection'.
They're both true.
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