PICC

[sweetpea]

Well, my OB is out of the office, which made me nervous b/c I thought their might trouble w/ the other doc understanding what to do. My OB deals w/ high risk pg's and this is my 2nd pg w/ him so he's very familiar with my case and what to do. The other OB did order the PICC line, fluids and IV meds though! I'm now just waiting for the hospital to and schedule the procedure. I'm really hoping they listen to me about the local anesthetic so I do feel them cut into me this time. I've been really scared about that, but right now I'm so sick that I almost don't care. My mom is going to be driving to town today to help w/ the kids for a few days. Dh has military duty this weekend which will leave me on my own, and I'm not sure how I would handle that.
Hospital just called and scheduled the placement for tom. at 8:30am.

[MichellevsHG]

They didn't use anesthetic when they placed the PICC last time?! That is horrible and I would have reported them for that.

[sweetpea]

They did use a local anesthetic; however, it has always taken my body a long time before reacting to the anesthetic. I told them that, and I think they just kind of blew me off about it. It was really difficult for them to find a vein, and they just wanted to get it in. This time I won't stand for it and will insist that they wait until I can't feel it!

[LadyJella]

I will pray for you the prayer that I so desperately prayed during my 7-11 weeks that were hg hell.

[AnneCan]

Awsome news! I'm glad you got your appointment booked for tomorrow! I'm excited for you. Even though you had some issues last time, this is the best thing right now and it will help you and your babies to feel a bit better!

[gremlinsmummy]

Good luck tomorrow! Will they come to your house to do the PICC or do you have to go to the hospital?

[sweetpea]

I have to go the hospital - ambulatory care. They have to ultrasound your arm to find a big enough vein (really hope they can find one b/c last time they had troubles). And after they get it in place, they have to x-ray to make sure that it's in the exactly right place b/c it empties out at right before your heart. Then they can cut your line to the right link and tape it all down. After that I'll get some fluids and IV meds before going home. Should make for a long, emotionally draining morning.

[beyondthepale]

Good luck with everything tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you and hoping everything goes well for you and that this means you'll get some relief...at least have fluids flowing all the time.

[DivineLotus]

Hope you start feeling a bit better with it.

[Kalanit]

I've been thinking of you. Let us know how it went please.

[dawnypie]

best of luck tomorrow. I hate that you have to wait. I wish they could do it today and get it over with and get you started on the road to hydration. After the experience last time, the waiting is the worst part. You will be fine, I know it.

[jesspinky1]

I'm hoping you got the picc in with no problems and are starting to feel a little better. Hugs!

[sweetpea]

Well, I didn't sleep hardly at all last night b/c I was so worried and b/c I had a splitting headache. I got up this morning and threw up. I took my meds and then threw them up. Gave up and just went to the hospital. They found a vein, or so they had thought, in the right arm. They got the vein cut open and everything and had the wire threaded through. When they tried to thread the cath through it wouldn't go - no matter how hard they pushed. So, they had to pull it all out and bandage up my arm. Meanwhile I felt like I was bleeding out, which is exaggerating, but the pads were soaked w/ blood and it was on the floor too, such a mess. They then went over to the other arm (different lady did this one) and she had in w/in minutes it seemed. SO much easier, and surprise surprise it's almost exactly where my last PICC line was placed two years ago! I mean I showed them to start w/ where my scar was and told them that they should find a good vein there. Afterwards, the nurse even told me to remember for next time to tell them to use the left arm. Oh, really? Thanks for the info ...
I got two bags of lactated ringers and IV zofran (no talk of shortage in our area, wahoo!!!). I tried to take some sips of ginger ale, but had to wheel my iv pole to the bathroom so I could throw up. I also tried to take my progesterone pills but threw it up - twice. Did finally hold down some FOODMENT rice and some fruit a little later. Two bags of fluid was AMAZING!!! Not sure if I'm getting home health or if I'll have to go in to ambulatory care. The positive of home health is that I can get fluids everyday - 7 days a week. The positive of going to amb. care is that they can better take care of the line, make sure it's cleaned properly w/ my allergies, keep a better eye out for infection and hopefully have the line last longer. You ladies have any thoughts?

[gremlinsmummy]

Glad to hear the PICC is in, that must be a relief for you, but sorry to hear it wasn't as smooth a process as it could have been.

[Afinkel]

So glad you're home and the PICC was inserted safely. I was thinking about you today!

[aaronsmommy]

I felt like my home nurses were more knowledgeable about picc care and more careful than any of the nurses in the hospital, and my husband and I were also much more careful at home changing lines and stuff than any of the hospital nurses. Ugh, I still cringe at some of the stuff they would do there! Home was always my preference unless there really was no other option.

They do have a vaginal cream for progesterone. It is a pretty common way to give progesterone in the first trimester of pregnancy - and it is absorbed better that way anyway. It is called Crinone, maybe that would be a possibility for you?

That is great that they were able to use the same spot, they never could get mine in where I had a line before. The vein would be too scarred, but a little higher on the same vein would work, so my arms are full of scars (have had 4 picc lines). After hg, I'm always making suggestions for those who might be poking me with needles of some kind, drives me insane when they don't listen!

[notcoping]

What a horrible ordeal but with a positive outcome. Hoping you feel better soon.

[beyondthepale]

i'm glad to hear that everything went as okay as it could, and that the PICC is in and you're safer now with the ability to get fluids/meds in easier! i kept logging in to check on you to see how your day had gone.

[Kate]

Glad you got your picc in.

I have no experience with going to ambulatory care for fluids but that just sounds like a lot of effort and work when you are feeling so crappy.

I second asking for Crinone or Endometrin (both are vaginal progesterone suppositories) the only down side is they are fairly pricy.

Big hugs mama!

[dawnypie]

I was on crinone for my first trimester and it worked out really well for me as I didn't have to think of another pill to take while I was so sick. I'm glad that the PICC insertion is over. I was thinking about you all day. I hope that you are feeling some kind of relief and get some sleep after a horrible night. I agree with the home health. I always felt like they took better care of the PICC area better than the nurses in the hospital. Best wishes for a good night's sleep tonight