Re: Picc Line or Central Line advice? Hi, i wonder if anyone can give me some advice please? I've been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and receiving treatment...i've had 4 cycles of chemo (weekly) and just had de-bulking surgery 2 weeks ago. I'm due to have another 2 cycles of chemo soon (to complete 6 cycles) and as i have it weekly it will mean having Cannula needles put into my arms again for another 6 weeks and then i'm due to continue with Bevacizumab/Avastin maintenance drug for up to one year afterwards. I've heard that if you keep having cannula needles put into your veins regularly, weekly, it can lead to long-term damage of veins (shrinkage and narrowing) and veins may or may not always recover to their former capacity. I've already had 4 cycles of chemo (at 3 weeks each) hence 12 weeks of cannulas/needles weekly. I get a lot of bruising too. Has anyone had a picc line or central line / porto-cath put in and have you had it for in for up to one year whilst having the Bevacizumab/ Avastin drug? If anyone could please give me some advice, i'd be most grateful.
Thanking you in advance,
Doughnut21
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Doughnut21
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Hello - I have been having cannula needles for just over two years for treatment, my veins have been fine. I have am currently on carbo and Gemcitibine regime and Gemcitibine has irritated my veins, which has resulted in 3 cases of phlebitis, it is quite painful, so recently I have had a PICC line inserted, the procedure is very quick and completely painless, it is a little uncomfortable for a couple of days until you get used to it being there, but 3 weeks on it is fine. I wish I had had it done months/years ago. Good Luck Lyn
I had a PICC line fitted for my fourth line chemo - it took a while to get used to, but was so much easier than having a cannula each time - especially after the one occasion when there were eight attempts by five different nurses!!
You have to keep it dry in the shower - ask for a device called a Limbo which is a protective sleeve. I also used cling film each time for extra security - not strictly necessary though. I haven’t had a Portacath so can’t comment.
Thanks very much for your reply.... you've been very helpful. I have lots of information now, to help me decide what to do! I hope you are feeling ok. x
Hello - I had a PICC line fitted about 6 weeks post debulking surgery and just prior to starting 3 months chemo treatment, Taxol weekly with Carboplatin added in every third week. Due to a reaction to Taxol it was stopped, so I just had 6 cycles of Carboplatin . Before I started chemo my oncologist recommended either a PICC or a Port but at the time I couldn’t face having any more, however tiny, incisions! She did say that the PICC would be fine as it would be for a short time. In the event I had no problems at all & it made taking bloods so quick & easy. However, I did have to have it flushed weekly so that should be a question perhaps you should ask, prior to making your decision. I did buy a plastic protector Sleeve from Amazon (£25) which made showering so easy.
Thanks very much for your reply.... you've been very helpful. I have lots of information now, to help me decide what to do! I hope you are feeling ok. x
I eventually had a port fitted after my veins (which I initially was complimented upon) were ruined by chemotherapy. It was my understanding that it was the chemotherapy through the veins that caused the damage rather than cannulas themselves. An advantage of a port (a power port) is that it can also be used for the dye used in CT-scans and you can swim and shower without a problem. They need flushing once a month although I have waited longer than that when not on treatment. A disadvantage is that many nurses may not have been trained on access so often blood draws still need to be done through your veins, particularly at GP surgeries or local hospitals. No problem on the chemo ward though, as they've all been trained.
I've had mine since December 2018 without problem. However, mine was fitted without benefit of a general anaesthetic and the insertion was painful. Having said that, were it to fail, I would certainly have another. Many hospitals do insert them under general anaesthetic so if you do opt for a port, ask the question.
Helen
PS My veins have not recovered and can "disappear" once a cannula is successfully inserted.
Thanks very much for your reply.... you've been very helpful. I have lots of information now, to help me decide what to do! I hope you are feeling ok. x
I’m in the US where a port is the norm. I’ve had mine for two years and it’s great. Even here when I get labs done at my local hospital they don’t use the port but at my cancer hospital they use it for everything. It’s supposed to be flushed every 8 weeks but during Covid they’ve pushed it to 12 weeks. If you get one do get anesthesia.
Thanks very much for your reply.... you've been very helpful. I have lots of information now, to help me decide what to do! I hope you are feeling ok. x
Hi. I had a Picc fitted for Carbo/Taxol and Avastin. It was the best decision I made! I wasn't offered a Port, but I know people are very happy with them too.
Ask for a titanium power port. You can Swim, bathe, shower and live your regular life. I've had mine for almost 5 years. I love it. Happens to be standard care in US where they are surgically implanted under general anesthesia. Had it installed in am and had first chemo infusion after lunch the same day.
I am in the uk and have had my port in now for nearly 2 years. I have had lymph node removal in both breasts region so will not let anyone stick a needle in my arms. I forget I have it. Gets flushed every 8 weeks at hospital. Biggest drawback is there are not many nurses trained to use it outside the chemo dept. So always have to go there for bloods etc. But all ct scans with contrast can be done through it. My only drawback is in hot sun I put a sticky plaster on it so it doesn’t heat up. But has been used for 2 x 6 chemos etc, no problem. Not very comfy getting it fitted because in the uk they only give you a local. Just don’t watch. Best of luck, hope all goes well for you x
A PICC line is usually removed after each treatment round (series), has completed. They require more maintenance than a port, and you have to be careful showering etc, however so saying, a port is left in long term, and in NZ is usually only used if you are incurable, thereby requiring ongoing treatment. In NZ the only people authorised to access are Oncology nurses, and they also flush monthly, and put in heparin to keep the port open. The restrictions on access is to reduce chance of infection. If a port becomes non-functional/infected, they cannot be re-inserted. They are put in place by a vascular surgeon, and here it Is under general anaesthetic. I would have hated to have it done under local. I had significant bruising after, and it was a lot more painful than I thought it would be. Benefits; Able to live your life as normal in every way. C T scans use the port, which is accessed prior by Oncology Nurse. Bloods able to be drawn (via Oncology nurse), chemo access. You eventually forget they are there. They are usually only put in place if your veins become no longer viable. In my case, before third line, (soon to be fourth). It makes everything much easier, although I will never get used to it being accessed through my chest. I find it quite creepy.
I'm very happy with my super port as I don't live near to my hospital for a weekly flush of a PICC line if I had one of those. Although I accept I'm perhaps unusual in this, I had my port inserted with local anaesthetic only and slept through the whole procedure.
I hope all these comments help you make the right decision for yourself.
Hi I've had my PICC line since March. Had 3 cycles of chemo with it. No problems. Had it removed before surgery in case I wasn't well after and couldn't get it flushed. Had a new one fitted after surgery. Its a lot easier than cannulas. I will have mine for another year as will be having Avastin. Have it flushed every 10 days at my oncology unit. You can get a prescription for a Limbo cover. Good luck XX
Hi, I've had my (Polysite) portocath since starting 2nd line chemo in 2016 and would highly recommend it. Insertion, with local anaesthetic and heavy sedation, was painless. I'm now in 4th line chemo and it has been trouble-free all through (despite longer-than-advised periods without flushing when I've been out of treatment). I wouldn't be without it.
All the best, and good luck with whatever you decide. Gill x
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