Hi I am having my 5th Chemo on Thursday and wanted to ask if anyone else has had problems in the site where they put the IV. After the last three chemos I have had an infection in the vein where they put the IV. Each time my vein swells and is painful. I am put on antibiotics until it goes down. They have always put it in my wrist area, but wondered if there is anywhere else they could put it. I am on Carbo/Taxol which last 5 hours.
Thank you
Babs x x
Hi Babs
I also had this problem. They used to use the back of my hands until the veins ran away. Then I had the last one in my wrist. One hand in particular was very sore. I believe there are other sites they can use but not sure where. Hope you are getting on ok. You sound very positive. Keep it up.
Love and hugs Chris x x
Hi Babs, I had Carbo/Taxol and finished last month. I had trouble with venflon sights as they always had a job finding a vein, they always used the back of my hand and I prefered it in my left hand as being there for nearly 7 hours I needed to go to the loo at least 3 times and it was awkward pulling everything down and back up again.
I did have some pain when the sister inserted the venflon and it came into contact with a bone, then once they out it over my thumb, that wasn't the best either.
I didn't have any infection but the occasion it took 3 weeks for the pain to go. Hope they can find a better place to put it I'm not sure where else they can but sure there must be.
Best wishes,
Chris xx
Hi. I didnt quit have the same problem but it got to the point where my viens didnt want to be messed with. They found it very hard to hook me up.. It would sometimes take 6 or 7 attempts at jabbing me before they got it in.. It was very painful. They used the backs of my hands . Maybe thats an option?
Xxx
Hi babs,
I has similar problems minus the infection in my 3 rounds of 3 weekly sessions. I just had my op so it's five weeks since last one and the vein in my right wrist is still sore and also hard - this happens apparently.
My veins retreated too and a couple of times they went in at elbow, as if taking blood. The vein above that is bigger apparently so it can be easier. Only answer we found other than that was to keep changing hand, arm and vein.
Am aout to go in for my 4th round - this time opted to join a trial which puts the carbo into your peritoneum directly via a port and permanent catheter. Sounds dreadful but ill be spared the weekly vein hunt and painful abortive attempts.
Presume someone has suggested a PICC line to you?
Good luck...
Sue
X
Hi Babs,
If I was you I would ask for a Picc Line. In 2009 after my third chemo my veins disappeared they only had five goes to find one and then decided I should go back the following week for a Picc line. It doesn't hurt just needs flushing every week. It's a lot easier for the nurses on the chemo ward.
I have one at the moment.
best of luck
Love Marilyn 
Hi Babs, I use to find it better to alternate between the left and right arms even though the chemo sessions are long ZZzzzzz. Personally I find the canula/IV site in the hand/wrist more painful and prefer to have it anywhere between the wrist and the elbow area. I also had the odd occasion where the vein is painful either after chemo or after giving a blood sample.
All the best
No advice for you Babs, I'm afraid. The problem they always had with me was finding a vein in the first place. I was supposed to get a PICC line at one point but then that treatment was delayed and somehow the PICC line never happened and we just muddled through.
Not too many more cycles for you so hope they go a bit better and you're soon on the road to recovery.
Love
Linda
Hi ladies
Thank you for all taking the time to reply to my question. Many of you have suggested the Picc line. i too was thinking about this. I am going to ask about it tomorrow when I go for my chemo and see what they say. If I have no joy with that I will see if they can put it somewhere where I have not already had a line put in. At the moment I only have 2 more chemos booked so come the new year I hope to have a break from chemo.
Love to you all Babs x x
Hi just I had the same problems and decided my veins would not cope weekly sessions so I had an hickman line put in didnt feel it and it has been great on its 24th session soon to be out.What a difference and the time it saved. I know that some people feel that when it is in your chest you feel as it is a reminder of your disease. I just felt it was worth it when I think of someone having 5-6 goes trying to put the needle in and the time it took
regards to everyone
The new site
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