Hi, I’m new to the forum. I need a bit of advice and maybe a bit of support too because I’m feeling very vulnerable just now.
I had to have a PICC fitted after my first round of EC because I have very shy veins! The PICC was fitted at the end of August. I have now finished my main chemo and I’m onto three weekly Trastuzumab. As I still have my PICC in, I’m getting that through IV.
However, I’ve had a few battles over different things and this seems to be the latest one. The senior cancer nurse wants me to have the PICC removed and for me to go onto injections. So far I’ve refused this and I still have my PICC. I’ve had 3/15 infusions.
On Thursday I’m going in for a mastectomy (well, I think I am, but that’s another story) and as I still have my PICC the senior cancer nurse wants me to go for my line care the day after my op.
Every time I go in for line care or treatment I get the same comments about how much better it would be if I got the PICC removed and had the injections, but reading comments about the injections and speaking to friends who have gone through it makes me think that I should hang onto my PICC for as long as I can! I had major back surgery in 2017, with plates and screws inserted to hold my spine together. My greatest fear is that the injected herceptin will cause the joint/back pain I’ve heard about and go straight for that weak spot. I’ve already been in a wheelchair, I don’t want that again now when I’m having to deal with so much more.
I’m really trying not to sound like I’m whinging! Has anyone else got any experience of keeping a PICC until their treatment is complete? Can I ask for a fresh PICC to be inserted to get me to the end of mine?
Thank you for posting and we’re sorry to read that you’re feeling vulnerable at the moment. We are here for you.
Our clinical nurse specialists can offer support and may be able to advise about your PICC line. They are available on 0808 800 6000 (Monday-Friday 9am -4pm and Saturday mornings from 9am - 1pm).
Alternatively, if you prefer, you can post to the Ask Our Nurses board, where a nurse can reply directly to you.
Sending you positive vibes for your mastectomy this week.
I had Herceptin with my primary in 2013. At the time it was brand new in England and I had to wait for it to get to my hospital and badgered them. I had the opposite experience to you. The then Head of the Unit made my life a misery by pointing to other patients who were on the drip with Herceptin and it was all: what was wrong with me? Why didn’t I want the old way etc etc and on and on, (asking elderly ladies on the drip to back the use of IV up.) It was pretty horrible. I had to ride it out.
I had no side effects from the three weekly injection. It was uber-quick and I’d recommend it to anyone. The sub-cut went into the thigh.
Now they want me to have a port - but I don’t want one as my treatment is only three weekly and I won’t be able to have weekly chemo again as I’m HER-2. I can’t imagine why anyone would want the inconvenience of a PICC line or port if they don’t have to? My veins just about held up for eighteen weeks of Paxlitaxel and have come back again. Have you asked your Consultant about back pain and Herceptin? I’ve not heard of this as a particular side effect.
PICCs are usually removed within a week of chemo finishing at our cancer hospital…keeping them in longer increases the risks I guess the reckoning is.
i had mine in July to November…I developed a blood clot in my arm towards the end of chemo treatment and couldn’t wait to have it removed…I now have to take daily fragmin injections in my stomach for 6 months…they hurt like hell …filgrastim are a walk in the park in comparison.