Chemo infusion question

Hi Beckym16798147d , I don’t have any personal experience of this but have just read another post where another member had a leak at the cannula sight whilst her chemo was being administered which by the sounds of it caused a pretty severe skin reaction, could this be something similar but under the skin opposed to on the surface? Hopefully someone will see your post & be able to offer some more constructive advice.

I hope things improve for you soon & wishing you the best of luck with the rest of your treatment. 

Nicola 

Hi Nicola 

I think it’s a reaction of sorts but it’s not right at site of injection .. maybe a slight leak or irritation perhaps? It’s not painful and doesn’t look swollen. I think the consultant was a bit perplexed! Treatment is going ok and after 12 I have the slightest pinkness in my groin folds but nothing else. Nausea has passed mostly and no pain at all at the moment. Bowels in good working order lol! 

Becky xx 

Hi Becky,

I'm sorry to hear about that and hope you're OK and that things improve for you.

On December 29th, I had an extravasation (leak from the cannula site) about 20 minutes into the the start of my hour-long paclitaxcel infusion. My lower left arm was swollen and it felt a bit tender. They stopped the infusion and administered 5 injections of hyaluronidase to neutralise the drug. The swelling started to reduce by the time I had completed the infusion in my right arm and left the unit. That evening, I was told to keep the arm elevated, use a heat pad and gently exercise the arm. The treatment used is tailored to the particular chemo drug.

Importantly, they said to monitor it and call the 24-hour chemotherapy hotline if I had any problems.

I went back the following day for a check-up. The arm was fine, apart from still feeling a bit tender and a bruise in the middle of the affected area (where one of the injections was). They'd measured the swollen area (24cm x 10cm) and had marked it with marker pen. They'd also taken photos as part of the documentation process and emailed my oncologist.

Five days on, I still have the bruise but the skin is not affected and the swelling and tenderness has disappeared.

It is a rare occurrence (the nurse said mine was only the second she'd seen) and one of her colleagues said the last time it happened, it was around this time of year (I wondered if cold weather was a factor...).

Given mine happened during the infusion and was treated promptly, it sounds like yours could be a delayed reaction perhaps. It's good that your consultant is aware, but I would closely monitor it and call the 24-hour helpline if you need advice.

Sorry to hear you had a bit of an ordeal at the start :/ I’m taking photos daily for reference and I’ll mention again to nurse on Monday. I see the consultant again next week and I’m sure my nurse will raise it sooner if she’s not happy as she was there too when I showed consultant this week xx