Hi All,

I was recently admitted to a Toronto hospital with
pneumonia. My Groshong PICC line broke at the tip so
had to be replaced because hep-locks simply do not
last long in my veins. It took three radiologists
approximately three hours to get a working PICC line
in my right arm. My left arm cannot be used for
central lines due to previous blood clots, which have
damaged the left subclavian vein. It's now too narrow
despite angioplasty work to widen this vein. At any
rate, the first hour and a half were spent trying to
repair the Groshong line. The hospital does not place
Groshongs and I do not think they really have the
proper wires and catheters. At some points I was a bit
afraid that the line might break off as a young
radiology (possibly resident) seemed to be using a lot
of force. Fortunately the senior radiologist came to
assist and finally another one at some point came out
to help. It was a gruelling and painful process for
me. No pain control was used during the entire three
hours and at times I was in tears, because the doctors
were really causing some pain. Isn't there any pain
control that can be given? Although the PICC line was
necessary the lack of pain control was rather
inhumane. I don't blame the radiologists. They were
all doing their best to get the line started. I do
however wonder why pain control is not used,
especially when it comes to those of us that have bad
veins. I have had PICC lines done in two hospitals
with no pain control. Lidocaine in my opinion doesn't
count; it hurts going in and does nothing in my case
to relieve any pain. I know that many have PICC lines
placed without difficulty, but my veins are really not
meant for PICC lines. They are difficult to access
even with the video equipment and guided ultrasound,
are difficult to work with due to being rather small,
etc. Currently, I am waiting for a new port-a-cath
which will be a Godsend. I love ports. They work
better for me. Port-a-cath surgery has also proven to
be far less painful ... well ... due to good sedation
and pain control! When I do wake up I usually only
take at most a couple of Demerol. Normally I'm off the
Demoral by the next day.

Hugs:0)
Mary







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