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Replies: 8 Pages: 1

atrium

Posts: 8
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

longline query
Posted: 06-Dec-2006 17:57

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hiya, could anyone help me with this?

since going into hospital on friday I had one longline in my left elbow which 'tissued' (I'm not quite sure what this means but the skin above the line went pink, sensitive and hardened) so it was removed. after having two venflons, another longline was put in on sunday afternoon. this one is placed between my right wrist and elbow. I came home to self-administer on monday evening, and since last night and during today my arm for about two inches below my elbow has started to do the same thing as my left arm did on friday (if that makes sense). my drugs are going in fine, but the arm aches constantly and is really sensitive.

I don't want to go back up to Oxford (3 hour round trip) just to have it looked at - does anyone know if there are any risks in leaving it like this until Monday, when I'm due to go back, or if it's possible to get another long line put in locally (I live in Reading)?

thanks for any help

Caz xx

trollydolly

Posts: 38
From: west sussex
Registered: 26-Nov-2006

Re: longline query
Posted: 06-Dec-2006 19:22

Reply

Hiya Caz,

Sounds like you have a bit of phlebitis. Try elevating your arm for a bit.

This is your veins way of trying to reject the line and it may calm down. If the meds are going in without hurting, perhaps it will be ok, but if it starts to hurt, it means its tissuing and will probably need to come out.

If not Id give your clinic a ring. Maybe Softie would know a bit more.

Love,
Trollydolly

jellyeels

Posts: 142
From: england,scarborough
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: longline query
Posted: 06-Dec-2006 21:49

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Hiya Caz,i had a long line put in on thursday to start home IV's,just like you.
Well anyway my nurse only managed to get 4 cm in my arm just below the crease of my elbow in my left arm,and on friday night my flush was leaking straight out but my antibiotic wasn't leaking unless i bent my arm.
I rang my team and was told to go to A&E to have it taken out and so they could put a venflon in,till i saw my team yesterday.
It is also a 3 hour round trip for me as well,thats why my team told me to go to my local A&E,so i didn't have to do the trip.My local A&E,where brilliant to me,i was in and out within the hour.
My new line now seems to be in the same place as yours,maybe a bit further round,as mine is on the outer side of my right arm,but where it is,my skin is very sensitive just like yours,so mine does sort of have a ache to it,but not sure if it's bruising?It doesn't hurt or anything,it just ache's.

I know thats not what you wanted to hear,sorry.But if i was you i would ring your team and tell them the situation,so then they can advise you on what to do?

I wish my local was able to put long lines in,but i would say i am the only person they have seen with one in,so i don't think they would be able to do it.

Shirley xXx

Dom's back

Posts: 26
From: Shrewsbury
Registered: 16-Nov-2006

Re: longline query
Posted: 06-Dec-2006 22:04

Reply

Caz, I'd be inclined to agree with Trollydolly on this (phlebitis). If it's tissued it'll sting and also you'll hear a squelching sound of fluid loose under the skin which I experienced when my venflon tissued last week. My longline works fine at the moment, but the flow rate is very slow, so I guess the vein is on the way out. Does the antibiotic (if passed through a giving set) take a very long time to pass through your vein? If it is and the skin feels tough and tissue hard, along with the pinkness around the vein I'd be inclined to see what A&E say, and expect a possible trip to your CF Unit. I'm sure, if it's definitely tissued, it'll sting and that'll be enough to make your decision up for you. Sorry, I'm going around in circles here, but I think I've made some sense!!!

Good luck,
Dom

jellyeels

Posts: 142
From: england,scarborough
Registered: 12-Feb-2004

Re: longline query
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 16:13

Reply

How did you get on,and what did you do?

Shirley xXx

atrium

Posts: 8
Registered: 10-Nov-2006

Re: longline query
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 17:18

Reply

Hi everyone,

thanks for all your replies

I rang my nurse in Oxford today and she basically said it's my decision - if I want something done I need to go up there rather than do anything locally, but that there doesn't seem to be an urgency to remove it.

following Trollydolly's advice I have been elevating it which really helped (this could just be in my head though!)

just to clarify it, the meds go in, but only slowly - my meropenem bolus needs a lot of pushing to go through, but this is kinda a good thing as it's not meant to be put through fast. the area is pink, harder and sensitive, but no squelching! and I can't work out if it's hotter than the rest of my arm as my fingers are super cold due to this wonderful weather!

I think for now I'm going to leave it as long as i can because it was so awful having it put in, and I'm not quite sure if I have another vein that they can place another line in...also my nurse didn't seem to think there were any dangers in leaving it despite the redness. my dad's theory on the other hand is that if it's left in too long, the line might fuse to the inside of my vein and be a b*tch to get out - can someone please tell me this can't happen?!?!

thanks again,

Caz xx

Diploire

Posts: 13
Registered: 09-Nov-2006

Re: longline query
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 17:44

Reply

I've never had or been offered a longline, I've always just had venflons. Whats the difference, do they last longer?

trollydolly

Posts: 38
From: west sussex
Registered: 26-Nov-2006

Re: longline query
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 18:54

Reply

Hi,

Longlines can be left in for up to 3 weeks, and Venflons are only meant to be in for a maximum of a couple of days, then they need changed really. Thats what I was told by my daughters drs in ICU.

Also because a Venflon is not long, it has more chance of coming out of the vein and tissuing, which hurts like a b***h!

Hope this helps and I really hope your arm is better soon.

xxxx

Diploire

Posts: 13
Registered: 09-Nov-2006

Re: longline query
Posted: 07-Dec-2006 22:51

Reply

I'm not sure about that, my venflons last 14 days plus, around 80% of the time. I'm pretty careful with them, but still work and drive. Strange though that longlines have never been mentioned - i've had iv's for around 9 years now.