I had my second infusion of Carbo/Caelyx nine days ago, and now, the vein where I had the chemo has become sore and swollen. When I rub it, I can feel a hard lump under the skin. I am concerned that this could be a blood clot, but being as it is the weekend wonder if this is something that counts as an emergency. Has anybody here had anything similar!
Jenny
I have had carbo/caelyx 3 times and it has not been a problem. However I did have what you describe whilst on carbo/Gemcitibine. The Gemcitibine was damaging the lining of my veins and I got a lump which was red and painful, my gp diagnosed phlebitis, she gave me antibiotics which took the swelling down but the lump itself took months to go away, it happened 3 times in all after each infusion, I eventually had a PICC line fitted which resolved the issue, as I was told the line is inserted into a much larger vein.
Someone on here told me to also use Voltarol cream, which is an anti-inflammatory cream which I did and it helped a great deal. I was also advised to massage the surrounding area to increase blood flow, this also helped and my last "lump" has almost gone.
You can read more info here nhs.uk/conditions/phlebitis
Good Luck x
Yes, I went to A&E and am having an ultrasound on my arm on Tuesday. It looks to be as you say, a leaking of the chemical from the vein, nowhere near the site of the canula.I
I have four more infusions to go, so not sure if they will think it worthwhile to fit a picc.
Mine was the same, the "lumps" appeared a good distance away from the cannula sight.
I had 3 infusions to go when I had the PICC line put in and very glad that I did, I have been able to use if for blood tests and am reliable informed they can also use for the contrast at my next CTscan.
I have had 3 different cycles of chemo and suspect it is this that has shrunk my veins making them susceptible to irritation from the chemicals.
Hi Jenny I would go to A & E today and get that looked at. If you're UK based take your red card with you and you will get seen straight away. If it is a blood clot then you need to get this sorted asap if may be nothing to be concerned about but you need to get it checked sooner rather than later and put your mind at rest either way. Don't delay. Treatment / hospitals don't stop stop because it's a weekend although it may be quieter there are still doctors on duty. Hope all goes well. June x
Hi June. I did go to A&E and it is not a clot. It is a sort of extravasation where the chemo fluid has leaked through the vein into the surrounding tissue. I have had this happen before, but at the site of the canula, not a good twelve inches away from it.
Jenny
Hi Jenny when I was having chemo last month a lady had the and thing leaked into her skin. Im glad you went to A & E and hit it looked as it can cause nasty burns. I wonder how it came to be do far away from the vein. I suppose these things happen but I hope you're getting sorted. Xx
Hi, sounds familiar ,I had a hard lump appear with 3 of my 6 infusions.The last one took 3 months to go but nurses kept saying nothing to worry about! . My lumps were hard .If yours it hot, red & swollen I would phone your special nurse just to check that all’s ok. So many things crop up during chemo & it’s always the unknown so best get checked!
I am reassured that others have had this too
I have an ultrasound tomorrow just to make sure, but they don't seem to be worried.
Jenny
Hi Jenny, I didn't have a lump but did have a problem with the cannula on my first infusion and they had to re-do it, saying it could have caused a problem if they hadn't changed it, probably worth getting it checked.
After that I had a port fitted in my chest for future infusions, best thing I ever did so much easier in every way when having chemo and as it's fitted under the skin it's also very unobtrusive and you hardly know it's there.
Do hope you get it sorted soon, best of luck with it all x
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