Thrombophlebitis issue

Morning Blueflower

Were you never offered the PICC line you were going to ask about ?  :-/

The nurses info was correct - It would be worth you getting one of those reusable microwaveable wheat packs (there are scented ones like lavender etc) or a hot water bottle if you have one, as long as you don't have it too hot...

Let your onco unit this seems to be happening in this arm too, don't know how many more sessions you are having but aching veins can be avoided.

Take care, G n' J

 Morning Blueflower

Im on 4 th cycle EC I developed Thrombo .after second . Heat and gentle massage works to relieve the pain . What has worked for me is my onco asked for extra saline bag to be flushed thru after chemo . Meaning two bags go thru as one is normal to flush . Now going into no5 next week vein still looks lumpy and tracked but feels fine .

hope this helps 

margaretx 

Hi Blueflower,

Yes I have what my Oncologist called severe phlebitis, it’s due to the Epirubicin drug the E in FEC, it’s not called the Red Devil for nothing. He said it’s quite rare to get it as bad as I have.

Mine didn’t really start till my third treatment so it hasn’t worth having a PICC line as that drug was finished as I was starting on the Taxol next anyway which doesn’t really have the same reaction.

Unfortunately there isn’t really anything that can be done to cure it, and it can take between 2 and 5 yrs to heal. I have tried a cream but didn’t do anything. I was told to use a warm compress, soak in the bath, do exercises etc.

Im six month post chemo and although it spread up to my underarm and hand it is getting better.

Tina x 

Morning GnJ 

Thank you for your reply my oncologist didn’t think PICC was necessary last time . I have just contacted. Chemo helpline as m  as y need a sac scan to confirm no clots ! My treaty changes to taxol herseptin and perjumab next time which I have been told is not as  irritant to veins here’s hoping . 

Kind Regards J 

Hi Margaret , 

I will ask for the extra flush with my next chemo , just awaiting call back from chemo nurses to advise if I need a scan to confirm if it is thrombophlebitis. It’s like the gift that keeps on giving . Good luck with your upcoming treatments 

Kind Regards  J x

Hi Tina ,

im glad to hear you have finished chemo but sorry to hear the phlebitis is still ongoing . I just hope this area doesn’t spread like the other arm it’s a shame really but I didn’t have any pain on administration or immediately post chemo . 
thank for your reply 

Kind Regards J 

Hi Blueflower,

Thank you, it doesn’t look at bad as it did but still noticeable.
 I didn’t have pain really. I couldn’t swap arms as my left side is mastectomy side, so with that and node clearance I can’t have anything done to that arm, no blood taken or even blood pressure in my left arm, so it was a real struggle for them to get blood at of the chemo arm the last few times, but they managed it.

Tina x