Tunnel line

[KICKSTART]

Quick question , anyone had one ? What did you do with the 2 ends (red & blue)? Because of the botch up im still very tender and have had the wrapped in gauze with a bit of tape round them to stop me catching them (they stick out and one goes left , the other right) Now sister today said that was no good as it causes infection  Any suggestions what i can do and apart from catching them they are very scratchy/sharp. They wont tuck into my bra (not long enough , plus i dont think that would be comfy). Ideas ?

[Wenchie58]

When I had mine I wore tank tops instead of a bra...mine was right under the strap line.  I bought the tanks a bit smaller than normal, not tight, but enough to keep the tubes from flopping around.  The gauze will be a source for infection and you do not want that!  Best of luck with a resolution!

[staceyand joe92]

I wore sports bras instead of a regular bra.  I started out with the techs in the center wrapping them with gauze but then a tech told me it was only for comfort and as long as the caps were on the end of the red/blue tubes there was no need to worry about infection. I hated the gauze bulging from under my clothes so I just left the tubes unwrapped.

[KICKSTART]

Thanks that seems like a good idea , i do wonder though how a piece of gauze can lead to infection ? I mean exit sites for PD are covered with a dressing , also the gauze is breathable and gets changed every other day .

[cookie2008]

I wrapped mine with gauze and taped it to my chest so it wouldnt move.

[paddbear0000]

I bought a product similar to Tegaderm that also had a pad in the center. It was by 3M and I got it at CVS. It was about 3"x6" and covered the entire area. The nurses said it was a great idea and not a problem as far as an infection was concerned because of the caps on the ends. It was changed at every treatment.

[KICKSTART]

This is the problem , there seems to be different opinions about this! I have had mine wrapped in gauze up to now and it fine , but the other day the sister saw this and said it had to stop as it promoted infection. I told her how scratchy/sharp the ends were and stuck out and also how tender i was still but she wasnt interested. She just said ..you still tender? but i dont think anyone informed her of what had gone on !!!

[Red from Canada]

KS,  We have a volunteer at our hospital who makes little drawstring baggies that slip over the lines and tie with a bow.  Not too bulky, soft cotton and washable and in pretty prints.  Easy to make.
 

[peleroja]

Guess i was lucky.  Neither time I had a permacath did I have a problem with it.  Then again I haven't worn a bra since 1998 when I broke my wrist and couldn't fasten it.  Don't know if that helped or not.

[KICKSTART]

KS,  We have a volunteer at our hospital who makes little drawstring baggies that slip over the lines and tie with a bow.  Not too bulky, soft cotton and washable and in pretty prints.  Easy to make.
 

Thanks Red , but that wouldnt be much different from wrapping it in gauze like i do now and it does get changed every other day, but they just dont want it wrapping at all !

[paddbear0000]

The wrapping thing will cause an infection confuses me. Leaving it exposed to everything causes infection I would think. I always kept it wrapped or covered and I never had a problem. And yes, those tubes were very itchy!

[funnygarcia]

That is confusing...
My dh's home hemo clinic (Davita) has the ends wrapped in gauze and tape as one tidy package per routine protocol.  At night he tapes the gauze wrapped package end to his chest, restricting its movement.

He uses gauze and tapes all sides at the entry site as well, the teaching nurse was not very pleased but that is Davita policy.  Wish he had Tagaderm instead.

[jpearce]

I make covers for my catheter line. I made them for almost everyone at my clinic. I measured my line to see how much material I needed. I bought the softest flannel I could find and started stitching. I have people requesting them now. I've decided to make a bunch for the kidney foudation so they can pass them out. They cover the sharp points and if you were a tank top (mine shows and pops out most of the time) you can get matching material. You got it make the best of it!!!!!!