Picc line

Hi J J, sorry to hear you have been so unwell with chemo. I have a PICC line and I’m so glad I did. Takes about 20 mins to put in and it’s under local anaesthetic so you don’t feel it. It was a little sore for a few days but nothing I couldn’t handle. 
it means all your bloods, chemo etc goes through that and you don’t have to have any more needles inserted! I go for a line flush once a week which takes about 10 mins and you don’t feel a thing. 
good luck with your remaining chemo and hope the side effects subside x

Hi Shellbell

Thanks for sharing your experience I want to get as much information as possible before I make a decision 

I agree with Shellbell. Glad I had one. Saves all those piercings. Once it’s in it’s easy until it comes out at the end of treatment. I second of pain max and it’s out.

Hi J J, sorry to hear you have had a difficult time with chemo. Whilst I don’t yet have any experience but I too asked the question about picc lines and the other options and how people found them. I was scared about them as they go into a vein and round near to your heart. However after hearing of possible problems via cannula I have now decided to opt for an arm Portacath. Having tests to make sure all is ok prior to then putting in it. I can only have chemo and bloods taken in one arm due to lymph nodes being removed in other arm and 8 cycles of chemo I think will be a nightmare with just a cannula as my veins are harder to find nowadays. Not sure if anyone else has had experience with arm Portacath but as I understand it similar to the chest Portacath just in arm instead. Plus it’s hidden under the skin so no external tubes outside under a dressing. Might be worth discussing various types with your oncologist as there are options and I think from what I have heard people who opt for one of these are so pleased with them. 
Wishing you all the best with your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

Hi all - I finished 6 rounds of chemo about 3 weeks ago and due to node clearance on left side, a PICC line was inserted before chemo began.  Procedure was painless - took about an hour all in to scan my arm, apply local anaesthetic, fit line and x-ray to confirm it was in position. Makes such a positive difference - easier for bloods etc and no risk of collapsed veins. Was given a plastic sleeve to wear in the shower and just covered mine with tubi grip called yellow line - which the district nurses gave me. You will need to get the line flushed and dressing changed weekly - but this is painless as well. At last chemo appointment it was removed in about 5 minutes flat ( again no pain just a slight tugging sensation). I say go for it - it was a godsend in the end as regularly saw the same lady on chemo ward who didnt get the picc line and the staff struggled to get cannula in. Wishing you all well in your journeys

Thanks so much I really needed to hear some positive feedback on this. I also had lymph nodes removed on right side but wasn't offered a picc line before treatment started. Had to have treatment to reverse the extravastion in my right arm because the veins in my left arm were collapsing 

Hiya. I had a piccline put in my arm at the start of chemo. It's been great as the nurses didn't have to put a cánula in every week. They clean and redress the piccline every week. Had no issues at all. I had the piccline in from beginning of May until 22nd September.