**SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2021 BREAST CANCER CHEMO**

• Sending you a hug. Don't be brave. Take the meds to help you get through.

I can empathise, pomegranate juice is about the only thing I can drink post chemo x

I had my PICC line fitted two weeks ago. It's never really felt totally comfortable and I feel very conscious of it. I've used it once so far for bloods and chemo and it's been flushed once and dressing changed - the nurse said the dressing had been put on slightly twisted and it did feel slightly better afterwards. I'm due to have it flushed again tomorrow.

I can't totally straighten my arm and if I do it hurts, so if I go to put my arm in my coat sleeve and push through the sleeve it feels very tender. I'm not sure if this is normal or not. 

Im hoping it settles down as I have chemo now until the end of January so that's a long time for it to be in there. 

Hello Jacala  So sorry to hear that your PICC line is giving your problems.  I was very dubious about having one but I know that my veins are small and that getting blood etc can be difficult, so I agreed.  I have been very fortunate in that I have had the odd twinge but not real pain or discomfort.  It has made chemo and giving blood so much easier. Please tell your team as it should not be painful.  Perhaps it needs some adjustment?  I think that we have quite enough problems to overcome without anything else being added.  Over two months is too long for you to have discomfort and try and push them to make sure that it has been properly fitted.  I wish you all the best and hope you get it sorted out really soon.  Take care.  Sending you a virtual hug.  

Jacala, just to echo what Thirds has said the PICC should not be painful. Is it possible that the dressing is too tight or causing irritation?  I have to say I was definitely always conscious of mine but apart from the dressings causing some skin irritation it wasn't painful. Please do have your team double check it as it's supposed to make things easier, not cause you pain.

Good luck 

Lynne xx

I'm not in pain as such but my arm is very, very tender. It's been two weeks and I really thought it would have settled down by now. 

Im at the hospital tomorrow so will mention it then. I'm conscious of it all the time. When I'm walking I can't have my arm by my side as it feels too sore, I have to put my hand in my coat pocket. Something just doesn't seem right with it. 

I don't seem to have a rash or anything around it, no temperature or swelling. 

Hello, my first post. I had my picc line fitted on Thursday and am also finding it uncomfortable. Whilst it was being fitted I felt an achey siort of feeling go up my neck and I’ve had a stiff neck since, I didn’t really want it but am having 12 weekly chemo to start abd have been told my veins aren’t great. I know what you mean about the discomfort and hope yours eases soon. X

Hi MissPoppins

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with breast cancer. If your neck is still stiff when you are having your first chemo session mention it to your nurse as she will no doubt do something about it.

Wishing you the best of luck with your treatment when you start it.

Best wishes

Daisy53

I went to have my PICC flushed today and mentioned my problem to the nurse. She sent me for an ultrasound and they think I have a very narrow vein that part of the line is sat in which is showing poor blood flow. I then got sent to another department and the decision was to remove it. There is no evidence of a clot but it could cause a clot so it's now out. 

I've got to go back to have my arm scanned again on Wednesday to check it then decide whether I want another one putting in. 

So glad I mentioned it, I knew it wasn't right.

Well done for following up! I'm relieved for you. Good to check these things out. Just a tiny hiccup in the scheme of things.