My 1 st chemotherapy infusion

Hi, bibbia that doesn't sound right at all, please ensure all are told for next time. In fact flag it up before the next cycle. All the best

Hi bibbia 

I would definitely get in touch with your team . Giving them a heads up to the symptoms and duration gives them a chance to think about it .

Sounds rough indeed .

Court 

I’ve just finished my 4th infusion of oxali. I’ve had a little pain at the very end of the infusion and into the next day. Paracetamol helped a lot. If it was happening early in the infusion I was told they’d put a wheat bag onto my arm to warm the area as this also helps.

definitely flag with the nurses when you attend next time. I think some discomfort is normal but shouldn’t be as painful as you described. 

Hi Daniel. I can remember having the same problem. I was close to tears as they tried to remove the sticky tape around the cannula and couldn’t bear clothing touching my arm for a couple of days afterwards, I was told that they couldn’t put it through any more slowly but I think that was due to having other people coming for theirs doing. A heat pad helps but the relief is temporary.

The answer to this is a picc line. It is a semi permanent catheter inserted into your upper arm and it stays in throughout your treatment. You have to have it flushed inbetween iv sessions but I only lived a few miles from the hospital so not a problem. The chemo goes into it and they can also take blood out for testing before your infusion. You cannot get it wet or swing your arm about so no swimming or golf but you can get a thing called a limbo arm on prescription which is a plastic sleeve which goes over it for showering. The line is then removed once your treatment is finished

Please tell the nurses how painful your first infusion has been and ask for one of these. There was a couple of weeks wait before I could have mine fitted so ask sooner rather than later but it made such a difference because my veins were shot to bits too

Hope this helps

Karen x

Hi Karen, thanks so much for your reply. You seem to have been in a similar position to myself and I shall certainly take your advice. Kindest regards - Daniel 

ps thank god for this site and the kind people on it.

Thanks so much Julie 

Thanks so much Gemmary

Hi bibbia I recently had oxaliplatin infusions and capecitabine tablets. During my first infusion my arm became numb. I thought the tape was too tight, but should’ve told the nurses sooner as it wasn’t. A heat pad eased it and I used a hot water bottle when I got home for two days. Your experience is not normal. My second infusion I suffered the arm tingling and throat spasms, but heat pads administered quickly sorted this out. Unfortunately, while they were flushing through I tried to stand up and coil feel my feet. This passed after about 15 minutes. This was on a Wednesday. By the weekend I was in a right state side effects wise, so have stopped the infusions completely. My nurses were amazing,  and on both occasions, told me the severity of the side effects was not to be expected. Please don’t be fobbed off. Too many people have ended up really poorly and with little quality of life during treatment. Wishing you luck.

Hi everybody and thanks for your help and kind comments. I went to the hospital today and am having a scan on my arm tomorrow. I think that the plan will be to fit a pic line prior to my next infusion.  Thanks again - Daniel 

Oh that would be so much better for you Daniel