With you all either just starting or just about to start I thought I’d pass on some useful tips for attempting to keep your veins in good condition while you’re having chemo. These drugs are not kind to veins and those of you on FEC in particular will find it worthwhile doing everything you can to preserve your them if you haven’t been given a PICC line or some other permanent access for the duration of your chemo. We need to try and avoid using our lymph node removal arm if at all possible because of the lymphodema risk so that only gives us one arm to work with.
The veins become painful due to two things: inflammation and cording (become tight like cords). Inflammation is acute while the cording is chronic.
Prior to attending the chemo unit for your chemo, plump your veins up by :
drinking 2 litres minimum the day before and if possible on the actual day before arriving at the unit
consider drinking miso soup the night before and on the day of treatment. The saltiness of this helps to lock in the fluid, apparently. Not tried this myself as my local supermarket doesn’t sell it!
warm your arm up using a heat pad or hot water bottle
wrap your arm in gloves, leg warmers for trip to hospital
While at hospital, use heat pad, hot water, all means necessary prior to cannualtion - units seem to be very good at doing this automatically
Between trips for chemo do the following to help veins stay in good shape:
use a hot water bottle/heat pad once a day - wrap around arm for about 30 mins
if possible, use moist heat (damp hot towels wrapped in cling film) as this is apparently better absorbed
Continue drinking as much as possible - 2 litres minimum in days following chemo to help flush drugs out of system. But keeping well hydrated will help keep vein damage at bay.
squeeze a small ball (stress ball ideal but ball of socks just as good) several times a day - helps with pumping blood through veins, veins are muscle, helps to build muscle up.
If/when veins begins to become painful or inflammed:
hirudoid cream is available over the counter and on prescription - used specifically for inflammation of the veins
if hirudoid cream not available try ibuprofen/diclofenac cream
ask a doctor about whether a steroid cream would be beneficial
continue with heat & ball squeezing
Cording:
massage - as often as practical. The creams listed above can be massaged in but will have a limit to number of applications so also massage with oil.
stretch affected area as much as possible
continue with all of the above.
As with any issues, always discuss it as soon as possible with your chemo team. This information is based on my rummaging around the internet, discussing it with my chemo team and discussion on forum. It is based on my understanding and I am more than happy to be corrected if I have got things wrong. I found this pdf which had some advice mylrh.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Vein-Care.pdf If anyone can add anything else which would help, then please do.
Hi, I am due to start chemo on 13 August, I had the Oncotype DX test I had early detection of the cancer, and had a lumpectomy (partial removal of breast) and luckily my lymph nodes were clear, but my test came back at intermediate risk of recurrence, so this has been a roller coaster of a decision, but I have decided to have the chemo which makes gives me a 92% chance that it will not recur, this test is fairly new and the MDT could not advise me as my result was slap in the middle so its a 50/50 gamble but increasing my chances, so for 4 months I thought I would throw everything at it so that I dont regret if it comes back. I am loving all the chats, I know absolutely nothing only what I have been reading, I am having PICC line put in the day before, and today had my hair cut short, as I was advised that my hair would fall, (does it always) ? I have 6 sessions then 4 week radiotherapy at the end. D
Not having herceptin by jab until after ive done the TC bit feel for you with the cannula its horrid when they have to go in a few times , my hand is sore today dreading monday . Liver function test is just one of standard blood panel but couldnt start carboplatin big without the results ! Getting the dry mouth but otherwise a good day today will know bettrr after Monday and no reaction to herceptin won a case of wine today - it might be a while until i can drink it ?
Hi, can I join in please. I’m going in today to have lymph nodes removed, seeing the oncology team tomorrow and next Tuesday I start chemo. They’ve not discussed which drugs yet, I just know it’s 6 sessions with 3 weeks between each. Xx
Hi - I am starting chemo on 13 August, and I am wondering if anyone has any good sites for headscarfs turbans etc, I have one and I have tried it on, but I look like terrible, I know I dont normally look gorgeous but I want to a least look a bit feminie , I think I may have to try a wig. Deb
For those of you thinking about going on a Look Good Feel Better day, I’ve been on one today and it was a lot of fun. I’ve written a full review of it here: gettingabreastofthesituation.wordpress.com, including a list of the contents of the freebies which are well worth having.
Debscoops, I ordered a choice if headwear from both Deresinaheadwear.com and Annabandana.co.uk. I found the easy tie headscarves from Deresina really nice and gives my head a nice shape. They are probably more expensive than Annabandana, but depends on what suits you and what you want to spend. I did get a few from Annabandana too, but think I will probably only wear those in the house.
In an earlier post, I think Hazel posted about some sites, with a discount code that could be used. I tried to find for you, but can’t seem to see. Maybe have a look through July or June Starter threads or chemotherapy tips and tricks.
Also, if you are interested in a fringe to wear under your scarf, I received one today from Heathers Hair. It’s great! I did buy one from Wugs4u but this one today is even better.
Hope this helps. By the way, haven’t wore headwear yet, as only 13 days post first FEC and hair just cropped today. Not nice ? but not as bad as I imagined to be honest.
Hi is the link to some headwear sites, some include discount codes. I ordered quite a few from Anna Bandana, I particularly like the the cotton jersey elasticated “ready made scarves”, the prices are reasonable too. I would also recommend come cotton sleep caps, handy for when your hair starts to shed.
I am also interested in the Heather’s Hair headwear, I’ve had a look at their website.
Hazel, thanks for posting, I couldn’t find your post, but had used discount code. You should give the Heathers Hair fringe a try. They don’t have great choice of colours, but you can dye them apparently. The honey blond one I got was fine. I ordered one with a headband and just tied scarf tightly over it. Looks good and seems very comfy. The one I ordered from Wigs for you is fine, but there would definitely be a lot more faffing about trying to fix.
Hope you’re having a better day today after your treatment on Friday x
Posting here as my beautiful gf starts chemo on 05/08 to try to control a secondary breast cancer tumour in her chest.
Claire was originally diagnosed 3 years ago with breast cancer which resulted in a mastectomy, lymph node removal ( cannot remember exact numbers but there were a lot which were affected ) chemo and radio. She hadoesnt been clear for wasting years but suffered this year with chest pains etc which after having clear x rays, blood results for months showed on a CT scan as a 7cm tumour.
She starts docetexel and copecitebine (sp) on Friday to try to control the spread.
A week after diagnosis we are now a lot stronger and ready for the hopefully long fight ahead.
Hi all , had my 1st fec yesterday was a long day but i must say the wonderful staff made it very easy for me . Apart from 3rd time lucky in canulation and i feel a little odd on the whole am ok . Taking anti-sickness and steroids for a few days so lets see , hope everyone else is getting on ok too xxxx
Hiya to all going through treatment and those who have gone through treatment… well done to you all! I myself will have my first chemo of FECT on Thursday 11th which Is the FEC part for 3 cycles then the T for 3 cycles.
We all will obviously have different side effects to the treatment but reading all your posts have enabled me to prepare as much as I possibly can and they have helped me so much knowing we are not alone on this journey.
I really enjoy reading your updates of how you are all doing and feeling, thank you! (((hugs)))
OK so Claire had the first of her 6 doses of docetexel today. Not feeling too bad so far. Its so strange being back on the same chemo ward that w e last visited 2 1/2 years ago.
She starts the copecitebene tablets in the morning. She didn’t have these last time so have been scanning through the thread to check out tips to make it easier
Much love and best wishes to anyone going through chemotherapy at the moment.
Thanks Flopsy, just knowing im not the only VomQueen out there helps . Will tak to team and beg a different route. Hope everyone is holding it together this cycle x
Hi, Hope everyone is coping this week my journey so far 3 days post chemo not too bad then 2 days off feeling rubbish no nausea just very sore mouth and sooooo tired .Have given myself a kick this morning gone to shops and am now sat sucking a fruit pastille lolly i really hope thats the worst is over this cycle . heres to the next few days stay well xxxx
I am finding lollies are a godsend gives loads of relief , has anyone had a cough after steroids finished ? mine is easing today but i have been getting loads of gunk up ( sorry ladies ) xx
Hi, my day to start chemo is nearly here, Sat 13th ! - having PICC line put in tomorrow and bloods etc etc, I have been reading your stories, and I am quite anxious, I have been buying ginger stuff ready, mouth washes, toothpast, bongela. I only hope that I can cope, but I am trying to think of it as a means to an end, as having chemo is my choice, after my Oncotype DX results were intermediate risk. I hope I will be able to update in a few days on how I am, but I am really pleased this thread is here Thank you, this is one exceptional journey that is very hard to describe to other’s not affected by cancer. Deb
Annietre, Scarletbea, Bluefizz - hope you are all feeling a bit better now.
Blueash - I’m also on TC & Herceptin by injection.My “C” being Cyclophosomide. I have two cycles, next one due next Friday. Having four in total. I don’t a picc line and am not cold capping. Wishing you minimal side effects.
won a case of wine today - it might be a while until i can drink it ?