I went for my 4th chemo last friday and couldn’t be given it cos of my bad veins. Nurse tried twice and both veins blew so she suggested I wait for an appt for a hickman or picc line. My BCN called me in meatime and has said they should be able to do my treatment in my right hand…same side as my op was done mid march this year. However, I’ve been told a couple of times that nothing should be done on my right side so now i’m confused as to what I should do. I contacted another BCN and she’s told me they can do it in my right hand but that there is a risk of lympodema. Anyone any suggestions? I don’t facny the line being put in but at same time don’t fancy risking lympodema either.
Eek!
hi fhifhi
i havent had the same problem as you while i was having chemo but since all my treatment my viens are blown
i am sure someone will come along soon with some good advice for you
personally i wouldnt want needles being stuck into my treatment side but if needs must and the oncologist thinks thats fine then ???
i would probley go with the pic line
good luck with your treatment xx
Hi fihifhi
I had the same problem with chemo number 5 and they ended up using my “bad” arm, I was told from the outset of chemo this might be the case. They said as I had full movement in my arm and had no signs of swelling they were happy to do this, they wouldn’t have if any of that had applied, hope this helps x
i have the picc line and i hated the fort of it but now im getting used to it no more veins to prod xx
I had bad veins before starting chemo. It took 3 goes to put in the canula for my surgery and then (the same) 2 goes for chemo 1. I had a PICC line. It wasn’t fun and I did get a bit of phlebitis and then excema under the dressings, but it was certainly better than the “hunt the veins” game.
I’m going for my first treatment tomorrow - my arm is already covered in bruises from bloods on Friday. I don’t know what’s going to happen 
hi i had the same problem about nine weeks ago, as i am having chemo for secondreys weekly, so they use my mx side in the end just the once my onc agreed, but the following week i had a picc line inseted and its so much better, it only takes half hour it does not hurt or anthing.
lollypop x
how long does it take um to put chemo in to the picc lines? is it quicker? or do they still take ages? x and what is phelbitus? x
Thanks for everyones replies here. Although it will not ultimately be my decision at least I am armed with some comments to make on friday. I just got a call from my BCN after I left a message for her to call me this morn. she says they will try my right hand on friday and if they get it good. It should have no significant effect on my arm and thereafter, for the 2 further treatments, I’ll get a line put in… I need to make a decision on which between the picc or hickman.
My concern will be that I am left handed and the line will go in my left arm. I would hope it woulnd’t affect my ablilty to work. I work at a computer all day and use a tablet pen.
hi fhifhi im to left handed and its in my left hand .the picc line was a bit sore for few days but it gets better everyday xx
I have not started my Chemo yet but mentioned my difficult veins at my initia meeting with my onc. He suggested a PICC line but the BCN said she thought a Portacath would be better. This sits completely under the skin so doesn’t need all the flushing etc and you can get on as normal between appointments - I think they do bloods through it too! I had it put in yesterday under a General. It is pretty sore but I am assured this will settle within a couple of days. I don’t know if this is available to you buut it is worth a look. Hope you get on OK with the rest of the treatment.
I was told a portacath was ony for prolong treatments so not for me now I only have 3 treatments left to go. It might have been an option at the start though and would have been good given I’ve been punctured a few times now to no avail! Ah the joy of it all! 
so will u b goin for picc line ? x
i think the picc line sounds like the better deal Quinny…I hope it doesn’t interfer with work too much though! x
no it dosent affect your ability to work i am left handed and its fine it is much quicker for them doing chemo and they just plug you in straight away i have had mine for two months now.
lollypop 59
I found out today I’m getting hickman line on monday then chemo on tuesday. Nurse couldn’t get my veins in my right hand either :0(
2 blow outs. Nurse says cording in left arm means picc line might not be successful or suitable.
So thats me sorted…at least I know what I’m getting now!
I had a PICC line inserted on Monday and in the evening it started to hurt a little but some paracetemol soon saw to that. Its not been too bad since. Occasionally its sore or irritating but on the whole pretty good. I had my 1st chemo through it yesterday and it was absolutely fine. It didnt hurt at all when they put it in apart from the scratchy anaesthetic needle going in which lasted seconds. It took longer than expected to have my FEC chemo but only because i had to have 5 syringes of the E chemo put in directly by the nurse. The other 2 chemo were given like a drip and all 3 were washed though with saline at the same time. Total time for treatment was less than 2 hours.