What's it like having a heart catheter inserted and removed?
I'll be having a stem cell transplant in early April and am curious what to expect.
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Re: Heart catheter insertion & removal - what's it like?
Hi Marilyn:
I can only speak to my experience; they put me out to insert the catheter, so it was no issue at all. Every hospital/clinic is different, but if you have the option of getting sedated (similar to a colonoscopy) for the insertion, I would suggest it, then you don't have to be uncertain about any pain or discomfort.
When they take the catheter out, the doctor asks you to take a deep breath, and before you know it it's out. I did not experience any discomfort at all with the removal.
I wish you all the best with your transplant and recovery.
I can only speak to my experience; they put me out to insert the catheter, so it was no issue at all. Every hospital/clinic is different, but if you have the option of getting sedated (similar to a colonoscopy) for the insertion, I would suggest it, then you don't have to be uncertain about any pain or discomfort.
When they take the catheter out, the doctor asks you to take a deep breath, and before you know it it's out. I did not experience any discomfort at all with the removal.
I wish you all the best with your transplant and recovery.
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kshornb - Name: kshornber
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Heart catheter insertion & removal - what's it like?
I will second the comments of kshornb. For me, it was a painless procedure. It took a bit to give me sedation and get everything set up. I know that sort of thing can make people anxious, but it was not a "big deal" from my perspective. There was very little discomfort after the fact. Removing the line was even easier. My doctor provided a little local lidocaine shot to prevent any pain, and then he just pulled it out.
I would say it is more upsetting mentally than physically. Good luck.
I would say it is more upsetting mentally than physically. Good luck.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Heart catheter insertion & removal - what's it like?
My husband would agree with the above responses. Get sedation when it's put in and you don't feel a thing, it saves you all sorts of pokes during transplant, and it's painless pulling it out. He had a big mental barrier to accepting it but was happy to have it after it was in. Good luck!
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mplsterrapin - Name: Ari
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Fall 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Heart catheter insertion & removal - what's it like?
Thank you for the reassurance! I feel better already.
Re: Heart catheter insertion & removal - what's it like?
Hi.
I had my stem cell transplant in November and had a PICC line inserted. I assume that this is the same as the catheter you are referring to.
I was awake and not sedated throughout. The doctor explained step by step what she would do.
They used ultrasound to locate the best vein on my arm. This took about 30 minutes. Then it was just like setting up a drip. She had measured the distance to the superior vena cava and knew when to stop. Then did an xray to ensure it had gone the correct way. All was good and then the line was strapped to my arm.
No pain at all.
But everyone is different, so a sedative may be an option.
For a port you do apparently need to be under general anaesthetic.
All the best with your treatment program.
I had my stem cell transplant in November and had a PICC line inserted. I assume that this is the same as the catheter you are referring to.
I was awake and not sedated throughout. The doctor explained step by step what she would do.
They used ultrasound to locate the best vein on my arm. This took about 30 minutes. Then it was just like setting up a drip. She had measured the distance to the superior vena cava and knew when to stop. Then did an xray to ensure it had gone the correct way. All was good and then the line was strapped to my arm.
No pain at all.
But everyone is different, so a sedative may be an option.
For a port you do apparently need to be under general anaesthetic.
All the best with your treatment program.
-
Barbara SA - Name: Barbara SA
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: Heart catheter insertion & removal - what's it like?
Hi Marilyn,
I think that the PICC line is usually inserted into the arm, whereas the Hickman catheter goes into the top of the chest, under the clavicle on the right side. I still have a faint scar from that. The catheter normally has three 'lumens', which are tubes with a closing on the end to insert needles into. The lumens are cleaned frequently after insertion at the stem cell unit.
Mine were used to put in the stem cells and also for blood draws, hydration or any other purpose for which a needle in the arm would normally be used. The Hickman was inserted under local sedation (medazaline). I could see the procedure on an ultrasound screen as the line was inserted.
In my case, the line was left in for at least four months, but I have read of the line being removed right after the stem cells were put in, also. Mine was removed after approx. 100 days after the stem cell transplant. It was difficult to remove since it had been overgrown by some tissue, but with the lidocaine, the doctor was able to pull it out!
I didn't find it to be very comfortable, but it was there for a reason, and I was willing to put up with some discomfort too.
Hope that helps, and perhaps you can post your impressions of having a catheter inserted also!
I think that the PICC line is usually inserted into the arm, whereas the Hickman catheter goes into the top of the chest, under the clavicle on the right side. I still have a faint scar from that. The catheter normally has three 'lumens', which are tubes with a closing on the end to insert needles into. The lumens are cleaned frequently after insertion at the stem cell unit.
Mine were used to put in the stem cells and also for blood draws, hydration or any other purpose for which a needle in the arm would normally be used. The Hickman was inserted under local sedation (medazaline). I could see the procedure on an ultrasound screen as the line was inserted.
In my case, the line was left in for at least four months, but I have read of the line being removed right after the stem cells were put in, also. Mine was removed after approx. 100 days after the stem cell transplant. It was difficult to remove since it had been overgrown by some tissue, but with the lidocaine, the doctor was able to pull it out!
I didn't find it to be very comfortable, but it was there for a reason, and I was willing to put up with some discomfort too.
Hope that helps, and perhaps you can post your impressions of having a catheter inserted also!
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
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