I hope someone has some suggestions for keeping a PICC from catching and rubbing on clothes, bedding and so forth. Going bare-armed is just not on in this weather, and most of my sleeves are a little tight over it. Even with looser sleeves there is a little catching and irritation and this morning I discovered some blood on my skin around the line that was not there the night before. I’ve got what I assume is the standard shaped dressing on it, and the various attachments are taped down, but I really need something between all this and my clothing or bedding that will provide a bit of cushioning and protection without being very bulky.
I’ve mostly been wearing long-sleeved t-shirts under jumpers because of the cold, but most of them are a little too tight for comfort, so I have considered slitting the seam of some older shirts, in the area just above my elbow. Any other ideas?
Hi cheryl
I had a picc fitted a few wks ago + it’s a pain in the ar*e when it comes to clothes + sleep but well worth it if your veins are anything like mine!! I’ve been wearing a tubigrip over mine, it smooths the appearance so my upper arm doesn’t look quite so lumpy now under clothes. It’s important to but one that’s szed for a knee/ leg so it’s not tight on your arm. I was wondering if they were available in black as I have a few black tops+ tunics with semi sheer sleeves but I’ve made my own by cutting the feet out of a pair of hubby’s black socks.
I haven’t changed my wardrobe really with it being cold it’s not too bad. I’m already panicking about summer tops-not only do I have to worry about having just 1 boob + very high scars, I now have a picc to disguise too
btw, my picc bled a bit last wk and there’s dry blood now by entry site. Apparently normal as it ‘settles’ just keep an eye on ur temp.
Hope this helps a bit
tina xx
Just wondering how long you’ve had your PICC line? The first week after I had mine put in, it was really uncomfortable and it bled a little. But after a week or 2, it settled down. I had it for over a year now! (Not sure I should, though). I don’t notice it most of the time apart from when having a shower.
I tend to wear a lose t-shirt under jumper. Because I’ve got Lymphoedema, too. So, it got to be lose anyway!! On treatment day, I wear my special “chemo jumper” - the sleeve is cut near the PICC line and attached with buttons - a genius idea from my mum to save me take off the jumper and get cold!!
Hi Cheryl
They are a pain aren’t they. I found mine was trouble to start with but now, nearly 3 months on, I have got used to it. I did find it caught on things once when it was cleaned and dressed by a district nurse. It gets a bit crusty around the entry site also.
They key is to make sure whoever is dressing it tapes everything really well. I have all the bits and bobs wrapped in gauze then taped down so nothing catches.
I hope it settles soon.
Sue
I had a PICC line for about 9 months. I was given a tubigrip like cover for it (not stretchy like tubigrip). This meant it was never able to catch on anything. If you haven’t got this I would ask either at oncology or your district nurse.
I had my picc throughout the whole of last summer. People got used to seeing my arm. I was very self concious to start with but with hot flushes I couldn’t cope with wearing long sleeves all the time. I work in a school and some of the children would ask what was wrong with my arm. I would just say either that I had hurt it or (if they were a little older) I would explain that it was where the doctors put the drugs to make me better. They were quite happy with the explanation and never bothered about it.
Thanks for the suggestions. I tried cutting a small section off the end of the biggest size tubigrip last night which squeezed a bit, but not unbearably, and it feels better this morning. I’ll keep playing around, as I’m trying not to have to buy a lot of new clothes at this stage. The line was inserted a week and a half ago, so perhaps it’s still setting.
While searching for ideas for covers, I discovered that some small children have to have PICC lines for things like cystic fibrosis, which puts my complaints in perspective, doesn’t it? A mum in the US has come up with a knitting pattern, essentially the top half of a sock, for a cover.
I like the idea of the button-on sleeve! I’ve got a couple of roomy jumpers I’ve worn so far. I think I’ll carry out the idea of a small slit in some of my older t-shirts and see how that works.
I’m on my second PICC line as one came out too far and had to be replaced! Mine has never caught on anything although have had Phlebitis (can’t spell it!) twice and am currently sitting here with my hot water bottle on it! However just wanted to say be very careful what tubigrip you are using! I got mine from the PICC nurse and she was super emphatic that I shouldn’t use a normal tubigrip as they were too tight and it shouldn’t squeeze as increases thrombosis risk! She did however suggest cutting tights and using them especially if you need a black one to go with an outfit! I really think you need to sort out the dressing bit with the nurse as it should be well enough wrapped with gauze and then covered so not to catch on anything!
This is why I am using 1 layer from the largest leg size. An arm-sized one would be too tight. I will ask about coverings at the next flushing session, though. Last time, because the receptionists forgot me, I was so late I forgot to ask specifically.
The entry is at the inner crease of my elbow - typical blood test position. This main site is covered with a piece of tegaderm and then I get the nurse to make a small sock of gauze over the port end and then tape that with micropore to the upper part of my arm near my wrist. Then another piece of micropore on the short spare piece of picc line to stop it catching.
Wear a short sleeve T shirt with a cardi or fleece over the top when you at home. I’m too poorly to worry about going out clothes and have to try really hard to appear well and kept when I have my weekly trip to hospital for line care.
Mines been in 10 weeks and is no hassle. Just remember to buy the cheap limbo arm cast I mentioned to enable you to shower or bath - they are a godsend.
3 courses of EC down, first docetaxal yesterday and was rubbish from 15 minutes of start for rest of day. Had a good half of day today, now steriods are wearing off I’m shattered and not thinking too straight. But time to sleep.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’m trying different shirts; some catch less than others but I find knits seem to catch more. I think that sock of gauze or something similar is what I need. Part of the problem is that most of the stuff I wear round the house is pretty old and some is probably a size too small now and so tight on my upper arms even without the PICC.
I got a really cheap covering for the shower that’s ok–it’s meant to go over a cast, but I can fold it down without trouble and I can pull it tight.
It’s good to know they can take a while to settle. I was wondering what I could be doing wrong.
My bcn cut off a couple of lengths of tubigrip like stuff - but softer and less elastic, if that makes sense - so def. worth asking at the hospital. Two pieces have lasted me so far - one on and one in the washing machine! I got my waterproof cover online - a Limbo arm cover, cost me about a tenner, but is absolutely brilliant - completely watertight.
I was very aware of my PICC for maybe the first three weeks, now I forget about it most of the time. Another tip I was given was to put the plastic valve bit on top of a bit of gauze, so it doesn’t dig into your skin, and that makes a big difference.
Persevere with it - it is definitely worth the aggravation!
I was given my limbo when line went in and picc line nurse said if I need another one just ask. Might be worth asking for one. What with the NHS cuts some places might be holding back. If you don’t ask you don’t get as my gran used to say. x
Hi ladies
Can you give me more info about the waterproof sleeves/ dressings you are using to bathe/ shower please? My chemo nurses suggested clingfilm which is totally ineffective andIm worried about water seeping under my dressing and causing an infection. Ive asked in boots etc and they had nothing. Just want something watertight that is easy to put on so any advice would be great.
Thanks
Tina x
I got a limbo arm cover, which is brilliant - I’ve found it utterly water tight and easy to use, though it does cover rather more arm than I need it to!
Hopefully that will take you through to the right place! You put it your height and weight/sex etc and it tells you which size to go for. I would def. recommend it - I too tried clingfilm, even sellotaping it top and bottom, and it was still useless!
Sophie x
(That link takes you to the product review, but just click on the ‘products’ bit in the top bar, and it’ll take you through)
Mine is called Limb0. I got mine free at hospital but just checked and they are 11.10 for a full arm size online. Just google Limb0 products. It is very secure and you can shower with confidence. I am very happy with it. Well done Sophie , you beat me to it. I didn’t know how to post a link lol
Tina, I got a blue plastic cover (Acu-life Shower Sleeve) which is mainly meant for covering casts on broken bones. I found it at Boots with a bit of help, about £5 as I recall. It’s quite big and only comes in one size, but I make a pleat that reduces the size by a third and pull the drawstrings at each end tight. I wouldn’t want to immerse it in water, but it’s done the job in the shower. It does say somewhere on the box that it’s suitable for PICC lines as well as casts. So you’ve got a choice of products at different prices, cheap and one size or a bit more and a range of sizes.
The chemo nurse gave me a tubigrip type cover today, long enough that I could cut it two. I think it’s equally as tight as a section of ‘large leg’ tubigrip, but I am now well supplied.
Thanks for all your suggestions ladies Very much appreciated. I will be glad to ditch the cling film its a complete joke even when taped at the top and bottom (Im with u on that sophie!!).
Cheers xx
I have a limbo half arm sleeve and its fab-just make sure you follow the instructions putting it on-which sounds simple but if I don’t do it properly a few drips get in! Tis great!! I too had the one for Boots but found it an absolute waste of money and I was saturated!!
