Central Lines.. OUCH.....

[JennifersHope]

I just had my first central line put in and all I can say is OUCH.. TO me it feels just like I have a coat hanger stuck in my neck and down my chest.. CPT is unbearable.

Has anyone ever had a central line before and if so how long did it take to stop hurting... The doctors don't know if I need surgery for sure but they told me today they are pretty sure I do..

Any tips on how to make the central line feel better would be great.


Thanks

Jennifer

 

[NoExcuses]

.

 

[JennifersHope]

Hey Amy,

THanks for the fast reply.. It is the same wiring as a PICC line.. I have had PICC lines before a few times .This line is stuck right in my neck and It moves when I cough.>It is a triple luman cath.. for my TPN, Fluids, Lipids and Antibiotics..It really hurts like heck...

Hope it goes away like you said

 

[NoExcuses]

.

 

[JennifersHope]

You would think I would know but all I do know is it is Central line and it is in my neck and it goes to my heart just like a PICC line does.. Just that every time I move my neck it hurts like heck..

Maybe when I feel better I will google central lines and post a picture...IT has 3 ports in it

 

[anonymous]

Central lines are larger therefore they allow the fluids especially TPN to go through better i was told that with TPN a PICC line will not last due to the rate of the fluid flow.. i believe it is the same on adults as babies ashton had a central line for about a month.. of course he couldnt tell us whether it hurt or not but im sure it did he may also get another line with his next surgery in september.... sorry i cant answer the question on whether it hurts for a long time but that is what they are

 

[catboogie]

ouch, girl! sorry to hear you have to go through all of this. hang in there...

laura

 

[kybert]

jennifer did they put it in your neck or collarbone? if its in your neck i hate to say it but you are screwed where pain is concerned. for 'mobile' patients, they are supposed to go through the collarbone/subclavian so they can move without pain. my only advice for you, if that is the case, is to get them to put another one in, this time in your collarbone, or dont move at all lol! if it is in your collarbone, take some painkillers for a couple of days until it settles down.

 

[CowTown]

Ouch! Sounds like a port, is that what it is? A port o cath? I have one of those permanently stuck in my neck - through the jugular. And yes it hurt for a few days.

Don't know if that's the same as a central line though!

Stay strong Jennifer! Sorry you're going through all this.

 

[kybert]

the catheter goes in the same place as a port but it comes out of the skin.

heres some pics...

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cmlsupport.com/harvest/jcathitccropped.JPG">this one looks like its in between the neck and collarbone. still looks like it would be in a pain in the butt there.</a>

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/pics/1784.jpg">this one is where is should be in 'mobile' patients. it seems to be oozing out blood lol.</a>

 

[lightNlife]

Owie kazowie! You're probably going to be in pain for awhile. What
helps me so that I'm not so painfully aware of the tubing is to
prop myself up on one side and stay bolstered with a throw pillow
or something else squishy and comfy. The sleeping is the hardest
part. You'll get used to it, it just takes a few days before the
tubing is a bit pliable.

 

[anonymous]

hi jennifer I have had a few of those placed, so many that they can't do anymore because of scar tissue. So anyways thay are pretty sore at first but it should get better in a day or so. If not it could be against a nerve, if that is the case and it is to painful, you may want to say something. They may have to replace it. The placing was bthe worst part for me. But it was really painful once and did not get better, the second it was out it was much better. So they redid it nd it was fine. Good luck to you. Things can only get better, right?

 

[cfmomma]

I have had two,one on each side. My veins were completly shot and it was the only way to get fluids and drugs into me. They did it my hospital room with no sedation and it was H**L. It was quite painful for a day or two, I honestly thought my boob was going to fall off. They were placed directly under my collarbone and stitched in place. It was tender for a while but it certainly didn't get worse if I moved my head or neck. I would talk the doctor if it is real uncomfortable.

 

[blackchameleon]

Sheesh, only Amy could get period pain in her arm!! i had a central
line once, they pierced my carotid artery trying   to get the
*****  in the right side of my neck so they put it in the
left! i didnt have any pain really -- possibly because the left
side of my neck looked like someone swatted a mosquito with a golf
club and that was more sore!! my doc also allowed me me to have a
hash cookie each afternoon so things in hospital were really a bit
of a lark LOL. you will be ok Jen, its just another chapter for
your book mate. cheers Blacky

 

[JennifersHope]

Thanks Yup, Mine is just like the one in the first picture.. except it is dead smack in the middle of my neck... and it has three ports instead of two.

It is 4 am here and I am wide awake in pain,, THis is not so much fun
My CF doctor wants to make sure I don't have DIOS in my bowel, anyone ever had that? My CF doctor said it is common with CFers, though my surgeon said I don't have it


WHo knows

 

[Jane]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>JennifersHope</b></i>

My CF doctor wants to make sure I don't have DIOS in my bowel, anyone ever had that? My CF doctor said it is common with CFers, though my surgeon said I don't have it</end quote></div>



I didn't know what it was, so I looked it up. Never heard of it. Hope thats not what you have Jen, you need an easy fix!!!

Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome


Distal Intestinal Obstruction Syndrome (DIOS) or Meconium Ileus Equivalent is characterised by repeated episodes of partial or complete intestinal obstruction in later life. The incidence has vbeen reported to range from 2.1-47% (21,22) of CF patients and is probably related to inadequate doses of pancreatic enzymes particularly as the individual's growth leads to a relative decrease in the number of enzyme capsules/Kg body weight (22). It may present with a right iliac fossa mass and can be difficult to distinguish from appendicitis, intussusception, volvulus, Crohns disease, fistulae, neoplasm's or ovarian conditions.

Interestingly, the incidence of DIOS is increased after lung transplantation. Minkes et al identified a 10% incidence of obstruction with in a short time of transplantation(23).

They cited a number of possible factors including -


1) Prolonged bed rest
2) Use of azathioprine (impairs motility)
3) History of previous abdominal symptoms
4) Conditions surrounding surgery e.g.. Dehydration, General anaesthesia, analgesics

DIOS can normally be managed conservatively. Treatment involves rehydration and the use of oral gastrograffin or N-acetylcysteine. However, in the above series of 70 lung transplant patients the 7 who developed DIOS were managed surgically. Five patients had preoperative hypaque enemas which did not relieve the obstruction and it was felt that all of the patients were too ill to safely undergo further attempts at non-operative management. The authors suggest a pre-transplant regimen of bowel washouts and if possible peri-operative prophylactic N-acetylcysteine in order to prevent post operative DIOS. A high index of suspicion should be maintained at all times in this population of patients.

 

[kybert]

if it keeps hurting tell them to take that one out and put another in, this time under the collarbone. having it in the neck is totally inappropriate for patients who will be moving about. make sure you get light sedation and painkillers. these things really shouldnt be placed without light sedation, its just too stressful for most.