Sore arm after Chemo

Hi Mrs50 welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about what has happened for you.

Im wondering if you wanted to post your question into the chemo thread on this site as the ladies in there would be able to advise you regarding this. 

Sorry not to have been of more help. But sending some hugs your way for now. xxxx

Hi there Mrs50

Please ask to have a PICC line put in asap before your next therapy. I did so but after my 4 EC (but before having 12 more) and it was too late. I should have got it sooner as my Chemo arm is ruined now, my veins are hard and painful and my arm in general aches, my hand swells too etc. 

Look after yourself, insist if you must and please ask advice on the chemo thread too

All the best

xxx

Or, even better, a port -a -cath.

Hello Mrs50 the same happened to me after my second FEC the way i described it was it was as if my vein wasn't long enough for my arm. When i straightened my arm it felt like it was pulling. It ran from my hand all the way up to my arm pit. The doctor gave me some ibuprofen cream to rub on it and was told that it sometimes happened when chemo makes your veins hard. I also found and ice bag soothed it too and like someone else already said ibuprofen. I can still feel (to touch) the vein running up my arm now but its not painful anymore. 

I didn't have a picc line fitted but i did tell them when i went for future chemos to do it in the other arm, and they did. I think its the FEC that caused it because it hasn't happened on my other arm where i had 1 x FEC and 3 X Docetaxel.

Just remember to mention it to your chemo nurse when you go next. Hope you're doing ok with it otherwise xx 

Mrs50

I too was in the sore arm club after FEC.  I was told FEC was harsh on the veins.  I got cording.  I used Ibruprofen and Paracetamol and used to put a gentle heat on it.  I was also advised to massage my arms.

I had a lumpectomy 2 weeks ago and sentinel node biopsy.  I've got cording agsin in my arm where they've taken the nodes. 

It's common unfortunately and sore!! Hope it eases off soon x

HI

Firstly congratulations on your recent good news regarding chemo success. Thanks for the advice re sore arm. The problem is I have already had some surgery so can only use right arm for chemo and I’m worried if it’s going to be like this after all future treatments then damage could be worse. Next treatment is in 2 weeks so will see how it goes and maybe speak to BCN before next treatment.  No other major SE’s thankfully so far!

S

x

Hi Bluebell22

Was your arm sore throughout the duration of your treatment or did it ease after period of time. I’m worried about any long lasting damage?

S

x

Hi Mrs50

No they weren't sore for the whole treatment, it came and went.  I could also use both arms and bith arms did get sore.  One more than the other but my veins aren't brill. That's the combination of both chemos though as my veins dosn't like Docetaxel either.

If you have 4 more to go and can only use the one arm it might be worth considering a Picc line or having a chat to people who've had one to see if it helped.

Let us know how you get on xx

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