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Mighty Well

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PICC Line

    Mighty Well | PICCPerfect PICC Line Cover
    Chronic IllnessMedical DevicesPICC LineTreatment and Care

    4 Tips For Reducing PICC Line Pain

    by Ariela Paulsen March 3, 2021March 3, 2021
    written by Ariela Paulsen

    Getting a PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) means opening yourself up to new treatment options and healing!  It can also feel scary.  Patients often ask us if PICC lines will hurt and, if so, how to best reduce the pain.  The answer is complicated.  Everyone is different, and every PICC placement is different.  Depending on how the procedure goes, how healthy you are when it is placed, and how well you take care of your line… hopefully, you will have no pain at all, other than the initial needle prick!  If you do find yourself in pain, there’s no need to panic — it may be perfectly normal and short-lived.  We’ll help you navigate the different types of pain and share some tips we’ve found for making it feel better.  Please remember, however, that we are not medical professionals, and you should always call your doctor if concerned.

    1. swelling or soreness 

    As the numbing medications wear off from your procedure, your arm will likely feel sore and swollen.  This tenderness can last a few days, and the swelling even longer.  The best way to manage this discomfort is rest, so do your best to ask for help and take it easy!  If you can, schedule in a few days off, to just take care of yourself and not overdo it.  You can also talk to your providers about ice packs, heating pads, and pain medications.  Always remember, however, that your insertion site must stay sterile, so be sure to place a clean cloth or antimicrobial PICC line cover in between the ice pack and your arm.

    Click here for an overview of what to expect at your PICC line placement procedure and the following days.

    2. sensitive skin

    Another common pain-in-the-PICC is sensitive skin.  Between the incision, adhesives, and constant dressing changes, your skin has to go through a lot!  You may experience itching, blistering, or burning sensations, especially during dressing changes and if you have a history of allergies.  Ask your medical staff what products they are using.  You may find some adhesives and dressings less irritating than others.  For example, many patients find silicone dressings most comfortable.  Ask to try other options until you find a good fit.  If your skin won’t tolerate any of the adhesives you’ve tried, you can use a dry dressing — one without any adhesive!  You can also use a PICC line cover as a barrier to keep your sensitive skin protected.  Mighty Well’s PICCPerfect PICC line cover uses ultrasoft fabric in a two-layer design specifically for this purpose.

    Check out our patient tips on which dressing products to try and reviews of the PICCPerfect for sensitive skin.

    3. complications to watch out for

    While some pains may be normal and nothing to worry about, you should always let your medical staff know if a new pain shows up.  PICC lines can have dangerous complications that are best dealt with right away.  

    One such complication is infection.  Your catheter site gives germs access into your body, so it’s crucial to keep the area clean and dry!  Make sure that everyone on your team uses proper hand hygiene and only touches the area when necessary.  Redness, pain, or swelling near the catheter site — or tenderness along the path of the catheter — could be symptoms of a local infection.  Call your doctor right away if you are concerned about an infection.

    Your PICC line can also become dislodged.  This complication is common, and your care team should be checking for this each time they change your dressings.  The best way to avoid dislodgement is to avoid activities that put stress on your arm.  Exercise is important, but stay away from anything that involves moving your arms a lot or lifting heavy objects.  Also avoid carrying heavy backpacks as much as possible.

    If air gets into your PICC line, this can cause an air embolism.  This can feel like a sudden onset of breathlessness, nausea, and shoulder or chest pain.  Call your doctor right away if you feel these symptoms.  Thankfully, it is easy to avoid getting air into your PICC line!  Simply keep the cap closed whenever you’re not receiving infusions.

    Finally, blood clots can form in your vein, causing a complication called thrombosis.  While this may sound scary, it is actually easy to treat from home using warm compresses and over-the-counter medications like Ibuprofen.  It is important to catch it early before the clot moves, so call your doctor right away if you notice swelling, redness, and tenderness by the catheter site.  To prevent blood clots, simply keep things circulating!  Get up and move around if you’ve been sitting for a while, and be sure to drink plenty of fluids.

    Check out our tips for avoiding complications and how to safely shower with a PICC line.

    4. pain management in general

    Whether your pains are directly related to your PICC line or in an entirely different part of your body, there is more you can do to get comfortable!  Research shows that relaxation techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises can reduce overall pain.  Addressing stress through exercise, counseling, or other forms of stress management can also provide pain relief.  Both of these approaches can also help improve your sleep!  Sleeping better (a challenge when in pain) is also proven to lower your body’s sensitivity to pain, bringing you more comfortable days.

    Join our Friends in the Fight group for support from other PICC line patients, and check out our PICCPerfect PICC Line Covers, now available in fresh new colors!

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  • Adaptive WearChronic IllnessMedical DevicesPICC LineTreatment and Care

    Experiencing PICCPerfect With Skin Sensitivities

    by Ariela Paulsen October 2, 2020October 2, 2020

    PICC lines come with a lot of baggage.  There’s the emotional weight of having a medical condition, plus the stigma…

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  • Chronic IllnessMedical DevicesPICC LineTreatment and Care

    What happens during PICC line placement?

    by Ariela Paulsen July 30, 2020July 30, 2020

    Any new medical intervention comes with some fears.  The best way to calm these fears is to learn as much…

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  • Adaptive WearFriends in the FightGeneral WellnessPICC Line

    Caring For Your Mask

    by Ariela Paulsen July 16, 2020October 7, 2020

    We have been thrilled to see the Mighty Well Mask orders flowing in, not just because we are donating a…

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  • Adaptive WearMedical DevicesPICC Line

    Cotton Picc Line Covers – Why the PICCPerfect is More Comfortable

    by Ariela Paulsen June 23, 2020June 23, 2020

    So you’ve got a new PICC line — what now? Click here to read tips for your first PICC line!…

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  • Chronic IllnessPICC LineTreatment and Care

    Your First PICC Line – What to Expect

    by Allie Cashel January 21, 2020January 21, 2020

    Your first PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) you will likely come with a bunch questions. Do you want to…

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  • Adaptive WearChronic IllnessMedical DevicesMighty ModelsPICC LineThe Undefeated

    Every Body is a Beach Body: Chronic Illness and the Media, Representation, and Inclusivity

    by Ariela Paulsen August 6, 2019August 6, 2019

    We live in an exciting moment in which advertisements and social groups are moving past the expectation and portrayal of…

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  • Adaptive WearChronic IllnessFeaturedFriends in the FightGeneral WellnessMedical DevicesPICC LineThe Undefeated

    Is Every Body a Beach Body?

    by Ariela Paulsen July 31, 2019July 31, 2019

    Image: My beach gear — sun hat, sun glasses, compression socks under compression leggings, supportive sneakers with inserts, ice pack…

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  • Chronic IllnessMedical DevicesPICC LineTreatment and Care

    3 Keys to Showering with a PICC Line – PICC Protectors and More

    by Allie Cashel April 25, 2019March 6, 2020

    I don’t think I’ll ever forget the first time I showered with a PICC Line. Though my parents urged me…

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  • Adaptive WearChronic IllnessGeneral WellnessMedical DevicesPICC LineTreatment and Care

    How to Change Your PICC Line Dressing

    by Allie Cashel March 25, 2019October 16, 2019

    In the days after I first got my PICC Line inserted, I was obsessed with making sure it was clean…

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The mission of Mighty Well is to help patients and their caregivers turn sickness into strength. We are leading the global charge that changes the perception of patients from victims to fighters. We do this by improving the experience of being a patient. We create the products we wish we’d had: functional and stylish apparel and accessories that you can wear with confidence - and content that can help you get through the good times and the bad. It’s wellness you can wear.

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CHRONIC ILLNESS

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Mighty Well - Founder - Emily Levy - Our Story

 

It all started with a cut off sock, a cute hockey player, and an 8 AM finance class. Oh, and a PICC Line. That moment inspired us to launch our first product, the PICCPerfect PICC Line Cover.

 

We know it stinks to feel defined by a diagnosis or feel like just a name on a doctor’s chart. Sounds like you? Read how our founder turned sickness into strength.

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