Hi everyone I was due to start my first FEC Treatment yesterday but unfortunately after 5 attempts to get the canular in the session was abandoned due to my poor veins. I am now booked in to have a Central Venous Cathetar fitted but feel very nervous about this. I’m not good with needles and wonder what to expect. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. I know I should try and conquer this fear but finding it very hard to do so. Having had a mastectomy as well I feel I will have to cover myself right up to my neck now I’m having a central line in.
Hi,
I had a Hickman line for chemo and rest assured that it is not visible above the line of a tee shirt. I used to tuck the ends inside my bra or camisole so that they were out of the way, no one would have known from just looking at me.
Central lines are usually put in under a local anaesthetic and if you are really nervous about it all, you could ask if they could sedate you a little first. It doesn’t take long to do but you will feel a bit sore for the next day or so.
The great thing about a line is that you won’t have to be bothered with needles for your treatment. I’m not squeamish about needles but I do have very poor veins due to another illness and having the line put in saved me a lot of pain and hassle.
Nymeria x
Hi thanks for the info - I will ask if I can be sedated just a little!
I had a portacath fitted under local and asked for full sedation!!
I had a PortaCath fitted under local - the (not optional) sedation was very effective - I didn’t even feel the local anaesthetic needle going in.
“I feel I will have to cover myself right up to my neck now I’m having a central line in” - do you know what sort you’re having yet? With a PortaCath, there is nothing to be seen - it’s all under the skin. A Hickman has ends but they are discreet and can be kept under wraps.
Ninja’s right … can’t see my portacath at all and I even forget it’s there now.
I had a portacath fitted just under 2 weeks ago,they routinely give a light sedation to calm you and you are only aware of some pushing sensations. It did feel bruised around the area for 2-3 days after. But its much better than needles in the back of hands! The port apparently has a lower chance of infection than something like a hickman line, and of course a line needs taping up/dressing as it just dangles. I can see the round lump of my port as I have a boney chest area, but its only the size of a 20p. x