Advice on BEACOP-Dac Escalated and PICC lines?

Hi Lily, you can put BEACOP-Dac into the search tool and see all the posts from others who have had this type of treatment.

A PICC Line will make life much simpler and save your veins.

I had one in for 4 months and did ok, it needs flushed every week and a new dressing but that can be done at clinic or I actually had the district nurse cone in to do this,

When I got it put on all I felt was a little sting when the local put in and that was about it and It only took about 30mins.

You do need to keep it dry and you may get a prescription for a waterproof cover but I found it simpler to wrap my arm with some clingfilm when I was having a shower then bin it.

((hugs))

Hi Mike,

Thanks for your reply! I will definitely try searching.

Thanks also for telling me a bit about having a PICC line. I definitely want to have it to make it easier and like you said, save my veins. From when I had a biopsy done I remember the most painful bit being them injecting the local anesthetic so I guess that will be the same for this but it will just take a bit longer. Worth it really. 

Lily, I had escalated BEACOPP a couple years ago and after seeing how many infusions that I’d be getting, I got a picc line installed too. 

Here is what I remember from the process. They gave me an injection for pain. I had to hold my left arm out at an awkward angle for 25-30 minutes (it was probably less time than I remember). My arm was resting on a surface but due to the angle my arm got all hot and went numb. Afterwards I had the most intense pins and needles feeling for maybe 5-10 minutes. I don’t really remember any real pain.

I really liked the picc line. It was very convenient and you don’t need any needle pokes. My only regret was that I didn’t get one installed earlier when I was on ABVD.

As mentioned by others, you do need to keep it dry. I got a plastic cast cover and it worked real well. I used Saran Wrap before I got the cover, but I needed my wife’s help to wrap it and put tape around the edges. I’ve since learned that cling wrap works better and doesn’t need tape. 

You will need to avoid lifting anything heavier than a gallon of milk. Doing so can cause the line to shift positions. 

I hope that everything goes well for you.

Hi Lily ,

I have had both treatments and found Beacopp fine as far as side effects go . The hardest thing is the regime of going to the hospital- I had to attend 3 times one week then 1 day the week after, although the treatment wasn’t too long each day .

A PICC line is brilliant, so much better than having a canular everyday .It is totally painless putting it in ( and taking it out ) and takes 5/10 minutes to do . I wore a little bandage over it so it kept it in place . 

i think beacopp sounds worse than it actually is .. Good luck with the treatment, just keep ticking each day off .

love 

lisa x

Hi Jason,

Thanks for sharing your experience with me! A PICC line sounds like the way to go. 

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for sharing your experiences! I must admit I've never liked hospitals so going in three days and then an eighth day has always sounded hard. But I'll do it to get better. Just got to try and be strong. 

I think most of my nerves come from not knowing what to expect. They said I will get some side effects but not all of them. It's just the not knowing exactly what it will be like that scares me but I know they'll look after me whatever happens.

Hi Lily, I have just completed cycle 4 of Beacopp Esc having previously had 2 cycles of ABVD.  The main side effects have been low blood counts and needing a few blood transfusions.  I have suffered with bad mouth ulcers off and off along with bone pain following 5 day course of injections each cycle.  It seems we all react differently so I hope you dont experience too many of the side effects.

The PICC line was great and so convenient and I had this taken out yesterday and didn't feel a thing !!  

Best regards

Sycmore5