Although the new PICC line is awfully pretty, what with its purple and its not oozing, it feels weird. When I straighten my arm quickly, I feel an odd motion in my arm, like someone pulled the string on one of those whirligig things we played with when we were kids, or like you pulled back and released one of those matchbox cars that will roll. Or maybe like a cell phone vibrating in my arm.
At any rate, it’s strange and although it doesn’t hurt, it’s kind of disquieting. I told my nurse about it and she called the radiology place to check. Apparently it’s not all that uncommon for people to feel the PICC moving slightly in their arm when they change positions. It’s not like it happens to everyone, but it’s not like something is horribly, horribly wrong either. So that’s good I guess.
The other weird thing that’s happening is that now when I lie on my left side, I get heart palpitations. As soon as I roll to my back, or even halfway to my back, it stops. Apparently this can happen depending on the length of the line, because when you roll on that side it pushes in ever-so-slightly farther and tickles your heart. Again not dangerous, but kinda awkward. The first time we have to change the wing guard, I’m going to ask my nurse to pull it out slightly to relieve that. I miss sleeping on my left side!
Ten years later, and your post quieted my anxious heart. Thank you. It’s almost 11pm here in WA state, and my PICC line decides it wants to whirligig inside my arm. I’m relieved to know I’m not dying, and I just joined the WHIRLIGIG PICC CLUB! (I have a rather warped sense of humor… it’s helped me survive!)
I hope you are well, and thanks again. This was my first post of yours. I look forward to reading more!!