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PICC Line Infection and Also steroid withdrawl.

J

JennifersHope

New member
I think I have an infection where my PICC line was.... Actually it looks like cellulitis to me.... The entire area is hard, red, tender and swollen. The muscle is real sore all the way from my elbow to my shoulder. I have never had a sore arm when getting the PICC line removed before? Has anyone else? How long did it last?

I am thinking that I am going to need antibiotics....I am going to email my CF nurse to see what they say.. My question is... How has your doctors treated infected PICC Lines..besides for the obvious of removing them which I am already aware of. Did you have a fever with it as well?



Also.. I know I take way more steroids than the average CFer but I was wondering since I am having such a hard time weaning off my Predniosone.. I am getting weak, dizzy and major memory loss.... I don't usually take prednisone I take corteff..which is a different type of steroid.. Have any of you experienced that before coming off your prednisone.... Memory loss, weakness and dizzyness? I am weaning down 5 mgs a day...every other day..drop...? but it is real hard..I feel really crumby..which they always tell me I will but..this seems a little more ..and I never had such bad memory loss before..

Thanks for the help,

Jennifer
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
I think I have an infection where my PICC line was.... Actually it looks like cellulitis to me.... The entire area is hard, red, tender and swollen. The muscle is real sore all the way from my elbow to my shoulder. I have never had a sore arm when getting the PICC line removed before? Has anyone else? How long did it last?

I am thinking that I am going to need antibiotics....I am going to email my CF nurse to see what they say.. My question is... How has your doctors treated infected PICC Lines..besides for the obvious of removing them which I am already aware of. Did you have a fever with it as well?



Also.. I know I take way more steroids than the average CFer but I was wondering since I am having such a hard time weaning off my Predniosone.. I am getting weak, dizzy and major memory loss.... I don't usually take prednisone I take corteff..which is a different type of steroid.. Have any of you experienced that before coming off your prednisone.... Memory loss, weakness and dizzyness? I am weaning down 5 mgs a day...every other day..drop...? but it is real hard..I feel really crumby..which they always tell me I will but..this seems a little more ..and I never had such bad memory loss before..

Thanks for the help,

Jennifer
 
J

JustDucky

New member
Jenn, your arm sounds pretty bad...I am afraid that the docs will probably remove it, that is just my experience. I have been through alot of infections with PICCs, they always remove them, culture them and usually it is staph or strep and then they sometimes would put another in, especially if they cultured the same organisms out of my blood as well. Please have this taken care of ASAP...is there pus where the PICC enters? I have had perfectly good looking PICC lines, but then I would run temps and the docs would take cultures etc and find that the PICC was indeed the culprit. You are on steroids, so you may not have a temp with infections, I never did when I was on them, I just felt like hell. Maybe perhaps that is why you are feeling so bad...the PICC may be infected. Don't let this wait, I took care of alot of PICCs when I was a nurse, yours sounds like an infection to me. Keep us updated..I don't mean to scare you or anything, just telling you what I know from experience. Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
J

JustDucky

New member
Jenn, your arm sounds pretty bad...I am afraid that the docs will probably remove it, that is just my experience. I have been through alot of infections with PICCs, they always remove them, culture them and usually it is staph or strep and then they sometimes would put another in, especially if they cultured the same organisms out of my blood as well. Please have this taken care of ASAP...is there pus where the PICC enters? I have had perfectly good looking PICC lines, but then I would run temps and the docs would take cultures etc and find that the PICC was indeed the culprit. You are on steroids, so you may not have a temp with infections, I never did when I was on them, I just felt like hell. Maybe perhaps that is why you are feeling so bad...the PICC may be infected. Don't let this wait, I took care of alot of PICCs when I was a nurse, yours sounds like an infection to me. Keep us updated..I don't mean to scare you or anything, just telling you what I know from experience. Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I can't really help with the prednisone situation because I am not taking it, but I can give some info on the PICC.

I usually always have a sore arm when I have my PICC removed. It normally takes a few days and it goes away. I try to take tylenol/advil/aleve whichever and it helps. I usually get a little raised red area around the insert site, but the site itself is ever tender - I do believe that would be a sign of an infection. I know tenderness/red and swollen skin around a cut is sign of infection but I am not 100% about PICC sites. I just got off IV antibiotics the day after Christmas and still have a red little "nodule" where the insert site was. It is completely healed over, but still reddish with the knot around where it was inserted. I normally have that and it always goes away to make just a normal little scar, sometimes it takes longer than others though.
I would definitely call the doc though if you think there is a problem; I mainly just wanted to let you know that you were not alone with the symptoms so to speak. Especially the tenderness and soreness in your arm. I always get that from whereever the insert site is to my shoulder in the days after the line is removed.

Hope you start to see improvement. Nice to hear you are off the IVs.

Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I can't really help with the prednisone situation because I am not taking it, but I can give some info on the PICC.

I usually always have a sore arm when I have my PICC removed. It normally takes a few days and it goes away. I try to take tylenol/advil/aleve whichever and it helps. I usually get a little raised red area around the insert site, but the site itself is ever tender - I do believe that would be a sign of an infection. I know tenderness/red and swollen skin around a cut is sign of infection but I am not 100% about PICC sites. I just got off IV antibiotics the day after Christmas and still have a red little "nodule" where the insert site was. It is completely healed over, but still reddish with the knot around where it was inserted. I normally have that and it always goes away to make just a normal little scar, sometimes it takes longer than others though.
I would definitely call the doc though if you think there is a problem; I mainly just wanted to let you know that you were not alone with the symptoms so to speak. Especially the tenderness and soreness in your arm. I always get that from whereever the insert site is to my shoulder in the days after the line is removed.

Hope you start to see improvement. Nice to hear you are off the IVs.

Lindsey
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I misread the question..your PICC line is out? That's good...but your arm still shouldn't be hot and red with that much pain either. When my PICC's are removed, I also feel a little discomfort at the insertion site, but that's all...no real redness or swelling for that matter. Either way, my advice stands, call your doc. I too am glad you are off the IV"s. If it is an infection, it would explain why you feel crappy. Not sure if your prednisone is the culprit to affecting your memory and dizzyness, but since you have Addison's, definitely talk to your doc...You have so many things going on. Hugs to you;...Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I misread the question..your PICC line is out? That's good...but your arm still shouldn't be hot and red with that much pain either. When my PICC's are removed, I also feel a little discomfort at the insertion site, but that's all...no real redness or swelling for that matter. Either way, my advice stands, call your doc. I too am glad you are off the IV"s. If it is an infection, it would explain why you feel crappy. Not sure if your prednisone is the culprit to affecting your memory and dizzyness, but since you have Addison's, definitely talk to your doc...You have so many things going on. Hugs to you;...Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
A

anonymous

New member
i was weaned off predinosne also from 50 everyday to 10 every other day. I experienced huge memory loss and it still affects me now even though i have been on 10mg for awhile now. also had dizzyness and weakness. my dr. said that there really was not much to do about it and that these effects were better than the steriods weren't they. i agree but now i am forgetting a lot and it really bothers and hinders me. but don't feel alone! for the memory i just now accept that i have to write every single thing down. the dizzyness went away after a couple months also.

Sue 23w/CF
 
A

anonymous

New member
i was weaned off predinosne also from 50 everyday to 10 every other day. I experienced huge memory loss and it still affects me now even though i have been on 10mg for awhile now. also had dizzyness and weakness. my dr. said that there really was not much to do about it and that these effects were better than the steriods weren't they. i agree but now i am forgetting a lot and it really bothers and hinders me. but don't feel alone! for the memory i just now accept that i have to write every single thing down. the dizzyness went away after a couple months also.

Sue 23w/CF
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Thanks Sue.. I am really trying hard not to be freaked out with the memory loss. It is very bothersome to me.. I don't have any memory of me being in the hospital this past time.. PPl keep telling me they came to see me.. and I am so embarassed because I don't remember...

Just today I was looking at flowers that were on the coffee table in our living room and I said to my father how pretty they were.. He said I got those when I was in the hospital from my friend.. and he told me who... I didn't know they came to see me.... I don't remember.. at all. I can't tell you what doctors I saw, what they said or anything..

Also for several days after getting out of the hospital I am real sketchy on a lot of things.... and even still today.. My head is fuzzy and I can't tell the difference between thinking I wanted to tell someone something and telling them.. I am not clear like did I actually say that or do I think I did because I meant to.... For instance I called my friend to talk about school stuff today.. Hung up with her.. and called her again a few hours later.. to tell her the same thing.....I am clearer than I was for sure...Remembering more.... Like an example is I wrote a patient report printed it and then was surprised to see it on my computer.... VERY UNSETTELING... I never really come off the Prednisone.. I get down to about 10 mgs.. and then 30 mgs of Corteff which is just like Pred.. but I have not experienced such severe memory loss since before I was dx with Addison's disease...

In the hospital I was on 180 mgs of Prednisone a day.. HOLY COW I KNOW......and also solu corteff for the addison's.... You said you have been experiencing this for a while.. How long??? I am so worried about this.. I really need my brain.. for school... I am trying to write everything down but my own notes are not making sense to me... Like your doctor said at least you don't have the side effects of the Pred.. right now I have both.. the side effects of Pred and this horrible memory loss and muscle pain and weakness....


My primary is going to order an MRI.. just to be sure because I have had some pseduo tumors in the head before.. ( which is basically increased intracrainal pressure) but he thinks it could be the Pred.. I have to call him tomorrow.. and let him know.. also..

My arm is hot, red and swollen... I do have the PICC line out.. I am going to have to see him as well to get some antibiotics... There is not any puss in the incision site.. but all around the arm it is tender..and red...and the mucle hurts...


Thanks for posting to make me feel like I am not insane......

JEnnifer
33/ w Addison's and CF.. and YUCKY MEMORY ISSUES...
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
Thanks Sue.. I am really trying hard not to be freaked out with the memory loss. It is very bothersome to me.. I don't have any memory of me being in the hospital this past time.. PPl keep telling me they came to see me.. and I am so embarassed because I don't remember...

Just today I was looking at flowers that were on the coffee table in our living room and I said to my father how pretty they were.. He said I got those when I was in the hospital from my friend.. and he told me who... I didn't know they came to see me.... I don't remember.. at all. I can't tell you what doctors I saw, what they said or anything..

Also for several days after getting out of the hospital I am real sketchy on a lot of things.... and even still today.. My head is fuzzy and I can't tell the difference between thinking I wanted to tell someone something and telling them.. I am not clear like did I actually say that or do I think I did because I meant to.... For instance I called my friend to talk about school stuff today.. Hung up with her.. and called her again a few hours later.. to tell her the same thing.....I am clearer than I was for sure...Remembering more.... Like an example is I wrote a patient report printed it and then was surprised to see it on my computer.... VERY UNSETTELING... I never really come off the Prednisone.. I get down to about 10 mgs.. and then 30 mgs of Corteff which is just like Pred.. but I have not experienced such severe memory loss since before I was dx with Addison's disease...

In the hospital I was on 180 mgs of Prednisone a day.. HOLY COW I KNOW......and also solu corteff for the addison's.... You said you have been experiencing this for a while.. How long??? I am so worried about this.. I really need my brain.. for school... I am trying to write everything down but my own notes are not making sense to me... Like your doctor said at least you don't have the side effects of the Pred.. right now I have both.. the side effects of Pred and this horrible memory loss and muscle pain and weakness....


My primary is going to order an MRI.. just to be sure because I have had some pseduo tumors in the head before.. ( which is basically increased intracrainal pressure) but he thinks it could be the Pred.. I have to call him tomorrow.. and let him know.. also..

My arm is hot, red and swollen... I do have the PICC line out.. I am going to have to see him as well to get some antibiotics... There is not any puss in the incision site.. but all around the arm it is tender..and red...and the mucle hurts...


Thanks for posting to make me feel like I am not insane......

JEnnifer
33/ w Addison's and CF.. and YUCKY MEMORY ISSUES...
 
A

anonymous

New member
That one reply scared me ..... your arm sounds pretty bad, I think the docs will remove it. I thought that meant they would cut off your arm. AHHH
 
A

anonymous

New member
That one reply scared me ..... your arm sounds pretty bad, I think the docs will remove it. I thought that meant they would cut off your arm. AHHH
 
A

anonymous

New member
Haha I thought the same thing!!!! Thanks for the laugh<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
A

anonymous

New member
Haha I thought the same thing!!!! Thanks for the laugh<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
That is really funny.... I didn't see that like that.. That made me laugh so hard.. I blew my Tobi right out of my nebulizer.....My arm is okay..not that bad.. Just needs a little antibiotic ....NO getting my arm cut off. HA

Jennifer
 
J

JennifersHope

New member
That is really funny.... I didn't see that like that.. That made me laugh so hard.. I blew my Tobi right out of my nebulizer.....My arm is okay..not that bad.. Just needs a little antibiotic ....NO getting my arm cut off. HA

Jennifer
 
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