Hi all
i am 2 Ec down and one more to go followed by 3 xT. I’m finding the catheters are causing increasing stress. Took a few attempts to find a vein on the last one and it was so painful I felt sick. I know my onc wasn’t keen on offering anything else nufnjusf wondered if anyone has requested and been allowed.
thanks x
Hi, Hel39
At my pre chemo appointment with the oncologist, she looked at my veins and gave me the choice to have a PICC Line inserted or not. I went for it, and it’s no problem.
I have just had 3 x 3 EC sessions, and have 12 more weekly starting May 13th
So much easier with the PICC
X
Hi. I had a Porocath and it was fine. Done under local and didn't feel a thing. Nurses have to be specially trained to access it. It's not more difficult its just down ti training. The needle is a little thicker and you do need your emla numbing cream. If you have weekly treatment it can get a little sore. Bloods then 2 days later treatment. What I ended up doing was having blood from my arm and treatment in my port. Hope it helps you with your descision.
Hi Hel39
I was told by the onco doctor at the start to go for the picc line as the EC could cause problems with the skin if it leaked (glad I did now)
it is so much easier for bloods and treatment
hope your doing ok
I've just had my 3rd EC last week now on to Docetaxel -dreading this one after reading all the other posts as I've been very lucky on EC no side effects at all
I had a port. I could still feel the needle as it went in, but it’s a single sharp pain and then done, nothing like the prodding around for the catheter when my veins were acting up. And you can put emla cream on an hour before and make it completely numb, I was given a supply but could never be bothered to use it. But a PICC is completely painless to use and easier to fit and remove, so maybe ask for that. I preferred the port as you don’t need to keep it dry, but it does require two small operations to fit and remove and does leave a scar.
Thank you. Yeah, I’m thinking a picc sounds better. I do have Emla cream which I’ve started using even just for the filgrastim injections. I was never like this and it’s like a growing needle paranoia through surgeries and chemo.
thanks for all the advice everyone xx
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