Hi all,
For my upcoming allo transplant, I met with my transplant coordinator today. The hospital where I'm going to have the allo usually installs a Hickman (central) line (they say it is more convenient for both the patient and the medical stuff, can provide better blood flow, and usually with fewer risks of infections and accidental removal).
But ... because I have already had a PICC line for 9 months now, they are willing to keep it as is (actually they will need to replace it from one-port to two-ports).
From your personal experience with either one of the methods (or both!), any patient pros / cons?
Thanks,
Forums
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
Hi Shay,
Halfway thru his auto SCT EJ had to have his PICC line removed and replaced. It wasn't that big of a deal, but when you are not feeling well, everything counts.
Good luck!
Lyn
Halfway thru his auto SCT EJ had to have his PICC line removed and replaced. It wasn't that big of a deal, but when you are not feeling well, everything counts.
Good luck!
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
I had a central line (Hickman) placed before my stem cells were harvested and it remained in place for my ASCT. About 1 week after my transplant, the central line became clogged and they had to remove it. They put in a PICC line for the rest of my stay in the hospital.
I don't think that one is any better than the other. Both of them made procedures and blood draws much easier on me and the staff. If you already have a PICC line and you haven't had any problems with it, I would stay with it.
Good luck with your allo,
Nancy in Phila
I don't think that one is any better than the other. Both of them made procedures and blood draws much easier on me and the staff. If you already have a PICC line and you haven't had any problems with it, I would stay with it.
Good luck with your allo,
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
I had a central line put in but it was strictly for the stem cell harvest since the veins in my arms were not good candidates for direct lines. Once my cells were harvested it was removed. For the SCT they installed a PICC line.
From what I understand a PICC line is much more prone to infection than a central line and is usually only used short term so I'm surprised that you've had one in for such a long period of time.
From what I understand a PICC line is much more prone to infection than a central line and is usually only used short term so I'm surprised that you've had one in for such a long period of time.
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Blackbird - Name: Rick Crow
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
Hi Shay,
During my multiple myeloma treatment (chemo, auto and allo), I have had 3 PICC lines and managed to keep one going for 10 months, I think one for 6 months, and the other they took out at ~5 months (I no longer needed it
). All of my PICCs had two lines in them. When I was being prepared for my allo, they removed my old PICC line and put in a new one. They wanted to ensure the line was working well.
It might sound crazy, but sometimes people get attached to their PICC line. If you like having a PICC, stay with a PICC. Although you have successfully maintained your PICC line for 9 months, it is a long time for a PICC line, so it probably needs to come out.
All the best for your upcoming treatment,
Libby
During my multiple myeloma treatment (chemo, auto and allo), I have had 3 PICC lines and managed to keep one going for 10 months, I think one for 6 months, and the other they took out at ~5 months (I no longer needed it
). All of my PICCs had two lines in them. When I was being prepared for my allo, they removed my old PICC line and put in a new one. They wanted to ensure the line was working well.It might sound crazy, but sometimes people get attached to their PICC line. If you like having a PICC, stay with a PICC. Although you have successfully maintained your PICC line for 9 months, it is a long time for a PICC line, so it probably needs to come out.
All the best for your upcoming treatment,
Libby
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LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
I had both. I had the central line done surgically for the SCT harvest and the 2 months I was in isolation for the SCT. It is a larger bore of line, so there is easier flow of medications and blood. Less likely to kink up and will handle the numerous draws for blood tests. The PICC line I had was for IV fluids when I had quad pneumonia. It is done in the room with an ultrasound. No surgery required, and you are an active participant in the placement. But the PICC tech told me about the size differences.
I had no issues with either. I do have a small (about a 1 cm) scar from the central line, but that is all. And another thing, the central line is in a large vein in your neck, the PICC is a small line in a vein that they go in on your upper arm.
So, for sleeping, the central line was best for me since I sleep on my side. They put it on the other side so I would not lay on it. The PICC was in my upper arm and I worried about snagging it on my clothes.
I had no issues with either. I do have a small (about a 1 cm) scar from the central line, but that is all. And another thing, the central line is in a large vein in your neck, the PICC is a small line in a vein that they go in on your upper arm.
So, for sleeping, the central line was best for me since I sleep on my side. They put it on the other side so I would not lay on it. The PICC was in my upper arm and I worried about snagging it on my clothes.
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Mary Degenkolb - Name: Mary Degenkolb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
I had two stem cell transplants, both with Hickmans. No issues and very useful.
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C Clamon
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
I just had an auto transplant and had a central line. It was removed after a month and replaced with a PICC as I had bacteria growing on blood cultures. I liked the central line better as the PICC seems more prone to clogging and I don't like where it is on my arm. Once I got used to the central line, it was a breeze to have.
Just my humble ... of course. If the PICC works for you, and you have the choice, that's great!
Just my humble ... of course. If the PICC works for you, and you have the choice, that's great!
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KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
I had a PICC line for my SCT. They left it in, despite the fact I didn't particularly want them to, in case I'd need further chemo. Then, it started to get slightly infected at the entrance point on the arm, so they removed it. All went OK.
There was one thing that I wondered about. After restabilising following the in-hospital convalescence post-SCT time, I started getting some heart palpitations and arrhythmia. I wondered if it was induced by the proximity of the PICC line to the heart . It stopped after the PICC line was removed, but I realise it could just have been the stress of the whole SCT experience.
Has anyone else had anything like this?
There was one thing that I wondered about. After restabilising following the in-hospital convalescence post-SCT time, I started getting some heart palpitations and arrhythmia. I wondered if it was induced by the proximity of the PICC line to the heart . It stopped after the PICC line was removed, but I realise it could just have been the stress of the whole SCT experience.
Has anyone else had anything like this?
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Mijji - When were you/they diagnosed?: 2011
Re: PICC line or Hickman (central) line?
Hi Shay,
I had a central line put in for stem cell collection and it was a large bore one, as they do less damage to cells. I'm sorry, but it was awful -- I couldn't get comfortable and was so relieved that they collected enough stem cells in one collection and it came straight out.
I have just had a PICC line put in and it is only a single lumen. The more lumens you have, the smaller the bore of each line and the more likely you are to have problems with them. PICC lines can stay in for up to a year and if the facility is happy to use it and it is working well, you may be better to stick with it.
Mijji, you are right, your PICC line can migrate further in or out and when it moves further in, can cause heart arrhythmias. Its important to have any central line or PICC line checked as soon as possible if this happens.
Jen
I had a central line put in for stem cell collection and it was a large bore one, as they do less damage to cells. I'm sorry, but it was awful -- I couldn't get comfortable and was so relieved that they collected enough stem cells in one collection and it came straight out.
I have just had a PICC line put in and it is only a single lumen. The more lumens you have, the smaller the bore of each line and the more likely you are to have problems with them. PICC lines can stay in for up to a year and if the facility is happy to use it and it is working well, you may be better to stick with it.
Mijji, you are right, your PICC line can migrate further in or out and when it moves further in, can cause heart arrhythmias. Its important to have any central line or PICC line checked as soon as possible if this happens.
Jen
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NZMum - Name: NZMum
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March2014
- Age at diagnosis: 49
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