I am looking to hear some experiences of using a PICC to help me decide whether to get one - need to decide by 3 July.
I initially asked to start with a PICC for my chemo (FEC) as I have quite small veins and do not like needles. However I was asked to try the first session (13June) without a PICC and it went fine, so I thought I would do without the PICC. However when I told the oncology nurse this today on the phone when I was talking to her about something else, her strong advice was to go for the PICC because FEC is hard on the veins and I could end up with permanent damage to my veins, something called “tracking”. She has 10 years experience and said most oncology nurses would recommend a PICC for FEC as they see the results of the vein damage whereas doctors are less keen on it.
I googled “tracking” but could not find much about it. My only concern about a PICC up to now was the additional risk of infection and having to arrange to get it checked each week.
Hi Athens…I was told my veins wouldn’t stand up to FEC-T but I refused a PICC line as having worked throughout chemo 2 years ago, I couldn’t face yet another trip to the GP/hospital to have it flushed/cleaned and to be restricted showering/swimming! It did take 2 or 3 attempts each round of chemo (depending on the skill of the nurse), and I kept my hand warm to plump up my veins with a surgical glove, handwarmer and mitten!! They also put an electrical heat pad on before each infusion. My veins did get a bit hard with mild discomfort, although I found massage, arm exercises and swimming helpful. They fully recovered after a couple of months.
Very personal decision for you, and it is YOUR choice, don’t be railroaded! Hope an alternative experience helps? All the best for the rest of your treatment,take care x
Hi Athens,
I too, was advised by my oncologist, to have the PICC line, but after I researched and spoke with a few oncologists nurses, who said that there is more chance of infection, and would have to wear a sleeve whilst showering and swimming. I refused. I have had 3 FEC treatments by intravenously, and all ok. I think the nurse you spoke to, probably meant cording, this as happen to me where the vein tightens up my arm, but with moisturing and lots of massaging it does ease up, and I’m told that after treatment it will get better.
It’s a personal choice, listen to yourself, and I’m sure you will make the right decision.
I’m in Majorca at the moment, doing all normal activities, I did before been diagnosed, and choosing not to have the PICC line, I realise now, I made the right decision. Take care xxxx
Athens, I had a PICC line inserted before my first chemo because medics always have difficulty finding a decent vein and because I’d had a sentinel node lymph biopsy in my right arm they could. Only use veins in my left. There are certainly advantages, chemo is simpler, ditto blood tests and on balance I would do the same again. Showering/bathing isn’t a problem with the plastic sleeve and I was told I shouldn’t swim anyway during chemo because of the risk of infection. Getting it checked every week isn’t too much of a fag provided you can get it done locally at your health centre, which should be possible.
The downside, from my experience had bern twofold. First, it increaes the risk of getting a blood clot. Cancer increaes this risk anyway, chemo increases it further and Having a PICC lines creases it further. I don’t know what the petcentage in crease is, or what proportion develop a clot but I was one of the unfortunate ones. So I am now on daily blood thinning injections for probably 6 months. The second risk is infection. Fortunately I didn’t get a infection in the vein with the line in, but I did develop an infection under the skin, triggered by the line. So this all has to be balanced out. The oncologist didn’t discuss all this with me; it was only gone through in. Detail by the specialist nurse doing the line and I don’t think I really took it in. Hope this doesn’t feel too much like scaremongering but thesecsrevisdues you need to carefully consider alongside the possible damage to your veins from not having one.
I was very reluctant to have a PICC line put in before my 2nd chemo but I went ahead with it. I can honestly say that it was the best thin I have ever done. It made everything so much easier - bloods and chemo. Also after the first chemo my veins in my arm tightened up and I have to massage it every night. I’m now getting to the point where I can straighten it but it’s still sore. I was also limited because I can’t have any chemo in my right arm due to SNB. Regarding the flushes and changes, I have this done by my district nurse and I’ve been fortunate that he domes very Friday at 11-11.30 which means I can go out and pop home for my appointment. I bought a LIMBO cover which keeps it totally waterproof and takes a minute to put it on.
All in all I think it was the best decision for me, but as the others said it is a personal choice.