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Question about pic line being put in your arm
I was talking to you all last month about a friend that I have off and on who I think may be abusing medication. My question is this. Today she emailed me stating that she's back in Chicago with her "migraines" and they are going to try to take her off some of the meds that she's currently on. Out of the blue she tells me how happy she is again because they gave her a pic line she is "happy." I asked her again why she was so happy and she said its because she can feel the medication go through her, fast and it makes her feel really good.
I made the comment to her that maybe she shouldn't be talking like that, especially around the nurses telling them she likes the pic line so she can get high off her meds that she's taking. I also mentioned to her that if she was telling them about it they could possibly red flag her in Chicago and it would carry back here to KC. She said, oh no, they would never do that to me, they know I enjoy my meds when I come up here,
What am I to think? I feel like she has a problem, but was wondering what you all think?
I made the comment to her that maybe she shouldn't be talking like that, especially around the nurses telling them she likes the pic line so she can get high off her meds that she's taking. I also mentioned to her that if she was telling them about it they could possibly red flag her in Chicago and it would carry back here to KC. She said, oh no, they would never do that to me, they know I enjoy my meds when I come up here,
What am I to think? I feel like she has a problem, but was wondering what you all think?
Jade, thanks guys, it seems I've accidentally upset another member of the forum. I was trying to post on Sara's post this morning about her kitty and I must have totally on accident posted on this other person, and obviously she didn't take it to well. Thank you guys for protecting me, I was at work when I read the post and got very upset. Thanks everyone!!
Wow, so many people with occular migraines. I had no idea it was that common. I've run across abdominal migraines in articles but didn't pay too much attention at the time. I suppose a migraine can occur in about any part of the body since it all has to do with overly-constricted or overly-contracted blood vessels. My DH can pinpoint no triggers for his episodes. They either happen or they don't. One blessing is that they don't happen nearly as frequently as they did a couple years ago. As much as I read, I think I'd lose my mind if I had that on top of CP. :-O
Also, notes can be very easily removed. I'm sure this was a very honest mistake. Desinging girl is a very nice and caring person who never meant to inconvience anyone.
Sorry to put this message here but there is no other way to contavct the poster of this thread, she left me a note about my cat, my cat is not missing it is Sarmjt whose cat is missing..when I went to leave you a note or a message it wont accept them....if I cant contact you to correct something please do not leave me notes ..Thank you and sorry to the posters thare is no other way to contact her ....
Yes, I've heard of and experienced occular migraines (again, fortunately, not very often). to me, the occular migraines are much more scary than a "regular" migraine because it does affect the vision so much. Even though there's not the pain like there is with a regular migraine, the occular ones tend to freak me out more.
I've also heard of, but have not experienced them myself, "abdominal migraines". My niece has had these several times - she gets many of the "typical" migraine symptoms with them such as sensitivity to light and sound, sometimes the "pre-aura" of an oncoming migraine, nausea/vomiting - however, the pain is in her stomach rather than her head. The first couple of times it happened, we all thought maybe she was having an appendix or gall bladder issue, but after many tests and finally being referred to a neurologist, he diagnosed it as abdominal migraines. She also does have a tendency to get "regular" migraines pretty often and is always miserable with them, but fortunately, at least so far, has been able to manage them at home with mostly OTC meds and the occasional narcotic pain med when they get really bad.
I've also heard of, but have not experienced them myself, "abdominal migraines". My niece has had these several times - she gets many of the "typical" migraine symptoms with them such as sensitivity to light and sound, sometimes the "pre-aura" of an oncoming migraine, nausea/vomiting - however, the pain is in her stomach rather than her head. The first couple of times it happened, we all thought maybe she was having an appendix or gall bladder issue, but after many tests and finally being referred to a neurologist, he diagnosed it as abdominal migraines. She also does have a tendency to get "regular" migraines pretty often and is always miserable with them, but fortunately, at least so far, has been able to manage them at home with mostly OTC meds and the occasional narcotic pain med when they get really bad.
First of all.. Thanks for explaining the PICC line. I thought it was threaded through the vein all the way to the heart, and all I could picture was an mri of a person's torso with a white snakey-line going up the arm and almost to the heart. You can see why it sounded worm like to me. Gemini made it sound more like a bigger IV line. I may have had one of those PICCs before and not known it, because I too have bad veins and it's taken multiple attempts to put in an IV. Especially the time I was hospitalized with migraines, and that's when I remember the meds being too strong when they put them in the IV.
As I said in the old post, I thanked the night nurse for putting the dilaudid in slowly because I felt so much pressure all over my body and it made me nervous when they did it normal or fast. She said she had patients that asked her to do it faster and wanted to push the plunger themselves.
As for the occular migraines. I get that sometimes if I read too much and sometimes in the car driving, or I used to get them in church from looking at the hymnal or Bible for too long, then the Pastor would look all blurry. Never any pain associated, unless part of a full-blown migraine. I was always told that my eyes were just tired. Weird.
As I said in the old post, I thanked the night nurse for putting the dilaudid in slowly because I felt so much pressure all over my body and it made me nervous when they did it normal or fast. She said she had patients that asked her to do it faster and wanted to push the plunger themselves.
As for the occular migraines. I get that sometimes if I read too much and sometimes in the car driving, or I used to get them in church from looking at the hymnal or Bible for too long, then the Pastor would look all blurry. Never any pain associated, unless part of a full-blown migraine. I was always told that my eyes were just tired. Weird.
You've got it right gemini. The PICC line is generally used when patient needs long-term IV treatment. There is also a much larger risk of infection as opposed to a typical IV that needs to be considered. I can't imagine any ER giving a short-term ER patient a PICC line without some kind of major justification. As you said, installing it is a surgical procedure, and it is not done unless the patient is expected to need long-term therapy. It's certainly not done for a one-time med push.
I've had my share of migraines with peri-menopause and there is no way I could even sit up much less look at a computer screen and think clearly enough to play a Facebook game. This poor woman is seriously messed up and I do hope someone in the medical system will get her the help she needs.
While we're on the migraine topic, has anyone ever experienced an occular (eyeball) migraine? My husband gets them every so often. They don't hurt, but his vision gets so blurred he can't read, watch TV or drive. Usually it's one eye, but not always. Until an opthamologist diagnosed him, I never heard of such an animal but they're apparently not all that unusual. There's not much he can do about it other than wait out the episodes. Bizarre, huh?
I've had my share of migraines with peri-menopause and there is no way I could even sit up much less look at a computer screen and think clearly enough to play a Facebook game. This poor woman is seriously messed up and I do hope someone in the medical system will get her the help she needs.
While we're on the migraine topic, has anyone ever experienced an occular (eyeball) migraine? My husband gets them every so often. They don't hurt, but his vision gets so blurred he can't read, watch TV or drive. Usually it's one eye, but not always. Until an opthamologist diagnosed him, I never heard of such an animal but they're apparently not all that unusual. There's not much he can do about it other than wait out the episodes. Bizarre, huh?
I'm not positive, and only going by what has been explained to me. A PICC line (peripheral inserted central catheter) is a fancy type of IV - it's inserted using an imaging guidance (I believe it's called fluroscopy). It's usually inserted into the upper part of the arm more towards the inside (at least that's where they've always done mine). The "catheter" part of the PICC line actually goes into your chest area, unlike a "regular" IV catheter that just goes a short way into your vein.
One of the good things about a PICC line is that it has two ports - and they can be used not only for GIVING medication and fluids, but also can be used for blood draws, so you don't have to worry about additional needle sticks for those. Since my veins are so bad, this is a great thing for me - I've had as many as 15 attempts made for one simple blood draw!! Talk about feeling like a pin cushion!! The other good thing about a PICC line is it can stay in place, without having to be changed, for a lot longer period of time than a regular IV - they do clean it and change the dressing on it every couple of days, but unlike a regular IV, it does not have to be removed and reinserted every few days. I've personally had a PICC line in place for 15 days one time.
Another thing I do like about a PICC line is that some IV medications can be very irritating to the veins and therefore painful as they go into the vein, such as IV potassium and some antibiotics, and with a PICC line, you don't get that irritation.
Again, this information is based soley on what I've been told/experienced, so I may be wrong on some of it.
One of the good things about a PICC line is that it has two ports - and they can be used not only for GIVING medication and fluids, but also can be used for blood draws, so you don't have to worry about additional needle sticks for those. Since my veins are so bad, this is a great thing for me - I've had as many as 15 attempts made for one simple blood draw!! Talk about feeling like a pin cushion!! The other good thing about a PICC line is it can stay in place, without having to be changed, for a lot longer period of time than a regular IV - they do clean it and change the dressing on it every couple of days, but unlike a regular IV, it does not have to be removed and reinserted every few days. I've personally had a PICC line in place for 15 days one time.
Another thing I do like about a PICC line is that some IV medications can be very irritating to the veins and therefore painful as they go into the vein, such as IV potassium and some antibiotics, and with a PICC line, you don't get that irritation.
Again, this information is based soley on what I've been told/experienced, so I may be wrong on some of it.
Hi kbe,
From my understanding a pic line is what the hospitals use to put the drugs straight into your veins.
If I'm mistaken here guys PLEASE let me know!! :) Karen, please let me know if I'm correct. :)
This gal is a at a clinic and it's one of the ways to get the meds into you
QUICKLY to relieve the migraines as fast as possible.
Hope that this helps.......Sherry
From my understanding a pic line is what the hospitals use to put the drugs straight into your veins.
If I'm mistaken here guys PLEASE let me know!! :) Karen, please let me know if I'm correct. :)
This gal is a at a clinic and it's one of the ways to get the meds into you
QUICKLY to relieve the migraines as fast as possible.
Hope that this helps.......Sherry
this is a new one for me! what exactly is a pic line? i know this is not containing to pain, is there a check spell on medhelp anywhere? thanks-kbe234
I definitely feel your "friend" has a serious addiction problem.
I'm very surprised she has been able to "talk" the hospitals into giving her a PICC line. My veins are HORRIBLE and usually do end up having to have a PICC line insterted whenever I have to go to the hospital, but they FIRST make a MINIMUM of three attempts at a "regular" IV. Not only is a PICC line expensive, but it is a more invasive procedure than just a "regular" IV.
While it's true that when you receive IV meds, you will feel them faster than when they are given orally, this happens with both a "regular" IV as well as a PICC line. And for her to say she enjoys or is happy about being able to feel her medication, that's a sure sign of addiction. I, personally, HATE that feeling of that initial "rush" of medication when I receive IV meds. I ALWAYS ask the nurse who is giving the meds to give them very slowly, as it does cut down on that feeling (at least for me). Anyone who is getting IV pain meds for TRUE pain is definitely soooo much more interested in the pain relief they will bring rather than that "RUSH".
While pain in any form does affect different people differently, I, too, don't see how she would be able to be on the computer, knitting or reading with a migraine severe enough to require IV pain meds. I'm fortunate enough to not get migraines very often, but when I have had them, the ONLY thing I can do is to lie perfectly still in a dark, quiet room.
You've done the right thing in distancing yourself from this person and I would continue to do so - for your own sanity and safety.
I'm very surprised she has been able to "talk" the hospitals into giving her a PICC line. My veins are HORRIBLE and usually do end up having to have a PICC line insterted whenever I have to go to the hospital, but they FIRST make a MINIMUM of three attempts at a "regular" IV. Not only is a PICC line expensive, but it is a more invasive procedure than just a "regular" IV.
While it's true that when you receive IV meds, you will feel them faster than when they are given orally, this happens with both a "regular" IV as well as a PICC line. And for her to say she enjoys or is happy about being able to feel her medication, that's a sure sign of addiction. I, personally, HATE that feeling of that initial "rush" of medication when I receive IV meds. I ALWAYS ask the nurse who is giving the meds to give them very slowly, as it does cut down on that feeling (at least for me). Anyone who is getting IV pain meds for TRUE pain is definitely soooo much more interested in the pain relief they will bring rather than that "RUSH".
While pain in any form does affect different people differently, I, too, don't see how she would be able to be on the computer, knitting or reading with a migraine severe enough to require IV pain meds. I'm fortunate enough to not get migraines very often, but when I have had them, the ONLY thing I can do is to lie perfectly still in a dark, quiet room.
You've done the right thing in distancing yourself from this person and I would continue to do so - for your own sanity and safety.
Im the same when I get migraines I get very sick and have to lay in a dark room not play goes or knit or no way read.
Jamie
Jamie
I've never seen her get physically sick from a migraine, I've had migraines before and I throw up and just feel horrible. She can go on facebook and play games, she can knit and read with migraines. I don't believe that she can do all those things and have a true migraine.
I think you are very smart for distancing yourself with this woman. I've never heard that expression of a pic line before. Her comments are very scarey and will get her into trouble. The best thing you can do for her is pray that she will find the strength to get better. For her to say that she like's the feeling of her medication, is a sign of addiction. I get frequent migraines and sometimes they are so bad that I'm throwing up and having severe hot flashes to where my body is SOAKED head to toe. I've never once gone into the ER for medication and waited them out. Yes, it's awful, but I have no other choice. I do understand that people do need the ER for their migraines, but this woman has stepped over the line many times.
Thanks everyone, I've distanced myself and haven't heard from her for about a month (she lives in MO, I live in KS) and she just called me out of the blue to tell me she was going back to Chicago. She got very mad when I told her about how stupid it was to be getting the pic line, so she could feel the rush of the medication. She stopped talking to me after that. She also didn't like what I said about the nurses. She didn't agree, and I told her she better watch herself.
I have told you this before and I still think she has a problem. Many times I have had something very wrong with me and I go to the hosptial they will give me a morphine shot and I could feel the meds right away and I have never enjoyed the "fast high" the only thing I cared about is when it would start working on my pain.
I do beleive she has a problem and when she comes back I agree that you stay away from her. You have been thru alot lately and you don't need any trouble at all. Plus I wouldn't want her in my house around my meds, you know what I mean??
Jamie
I do beleive she has a problem and when she comes back I agree that you stay away from her. You have been thru alot lately and you don't need any trouble at all. Plus I wouldn't want her in my house around my meds, you know what I mean??
Jamie
Hi Sweetie,
Jaybay is SOOOO right!! It's time to distance yourself. Just like we talked about earlier today!! :) Understand what I'm saying? I hope so my Friend!! You don't need to set yourself up to be hurt all over again.
Just remember what Mama Sherry said.
Love and (((HUGS!!)))....Mama Sherry
Jaybay is SOOOO right!! It's time to distance yourself. Just like we talked about earlier today!! :) Understand what I'm saying? I hope so my Friend!! You don't need to set yourself up to be hurt all over again.
Just remember what Mama Sherry said.
Love and (((HUGS!!)))....Mama Sherry
Good grief! It's time to thoroughly distance yourself from this "friend" who is no friend. She's h*ll-bent on her own destruction. Those seeds have been sown, watered and are now flourishing. There isn't one darn thing you can do about it either. Wash your hands and walk away. She WILL get nailed one of these days.
If I remember correctly all the things she has done that your aware of definitely puts her in the category of having an addiction problem. I read so many post here I would have to go back and reread your post but I think this is your neighbor that you were concerned about, correct?
If so then yes this woman has a problem and needs help.
If so then yes this woman has a problem and needs help.
The whole idea of the "pic line" gives me the creeps. Like a big worm in your body or something.. *shudders*
I have no idea what to say about that situation except that you may want to keep your distance. It's unfair that people like that get more than enough treatment and others who are so in need get undertreatment and treated like druggies.
It really irks me.
I have no idea what to say about that situation except that you may want to keep your distance. It's unfair that people like that get more than enough treatment and others who are so in need get undertreatment and treated like druggies.
It really irks me.
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