Do people have experience of either of these? It was so difficult to get a vein today after FEC 2 nurses decided I should have a line in. I went for a Hickman cause it seemed less obvious but didn’t really get a choice or time to discuss it. Really don’t like the sound of having it put in, having it done the day before my next chemo.
Any advice would be really welcome
thank
Hello Wriggly
Don’t let them pressurise you into having a line. Most people do have a problem with finding a vein after the first or second chemo.
I certainly had problems.
HOWEVER, I really didn’t want to have a line or port and I refused when it was offered. I managed througout 6 chemos and a whole year of Herceptin without - and they managed to find a vein every time. The worst was one day when they had five attempts, but for me that was better than having a line in.
It’s easier for the nurses and so of course they will suggest it and many people are quite happy with a line or port.
BUT the decision is up to you - if you really don’t fancy it then say so - it’s your body and you can say no if you want to.
Good luck - and let us know what happens.
Anthi xxx
I am sure you will get some replies from someone who has had a line and needed one, but just to say that I was nearly pushed down this road. I asked whether I would need one, casually, after one of my chemos and the nurses were really quick to arrange an appointment for me.
When I thought about it and realised it would have to be covered when I showered and I wouldn’t be able to go swimming (and I have a holiday booked in July), I really didn’t want one, so I cancelled my appointment and talked again to the nurses and agreed I didn’t need one.
They have always hit a vein first time with me, although it takes some work getting it up each time, so I really don’t need one yet, so if you’re not in terrible pain, you might want to ask to delay it for at least one more chemo before you commit?
I only have one more chemo to go plus 16 herceptins, and it is the chemo, not the herceptin that does damage to the vein, so I am told it should recover while on the herceptin so I am now not expecting to need a line at all.
I have just had a portacath fitted. I think it depends what treatment you are having - after chemo I will still have a year of IV Avastin, so makes sense for me - no way will my veins hold out for another year, they’re black and blue already. The port is under the skin and doesn’t need to be covered.
I’m stage 1V, and so on chemo indefinitely-with lymphoedema in one arm, and poor veins, my options were limited! I would urge you to ask for a port, rather than a Hickman or PICC. I’ve had both H+P-and both ended up infected, necessitating 5 days stays in hospital on IV antibiotics on both occasions. The risk of infection with a port is much less.But,depending on how many treatments you are to have, I would consider doing without anything. Finding a vein can often be difficult, and there seems to be a tendency now to push the patient towards having a line, even if only having the standard number of treatments.
I had a PICC line fitted before my first chemo as my veins seem to go into hiding whenever a needle approaches. I have had no problems with it, and actually forget I have it most of the time.
I am having my final chemo next week and then have a year of herceptin to come. I don’t think I could have coped with nurses having to find a vein each time. I have been pretty upset at the last few chemos anyway without having to have several attempts to get a needle in.
It may well be easier for the nurses, but it is also less painful and stressful for me. Ok, I can’t go swimming and have to cover it when I have a shower, but I prefer that to the alternatives.
Caroline
Thank you for all your views, it is difficult to know what to do. Leicester don’t do portacaths unfortunately and I’m concerned about the infection with the ohter lines.
I have 4 blood tests and 4 chemos to go and that is it. It seems so invasive for so few stabs. But I did get really upset when they couldn’t get a vein. There is the chemo manager sister who had a go on the 5th go and found a vein straight off. If she could do it each time, I don’t think it would be a problem.
Keep up you views please.
Just finished my chemo and am due to have my Hickman out at the end of the month. In my case it was the best thing to have, the chemo drugs went into my hand and caused a chemical burn so I had no access. If you are in Leicester and are having your line put in at the LRI they are great, thats were I had mine done and they are on the end of the phone if you have any problems. I have looked after my line myself including dressings and flushing etc and have not experienced any problems however the DN’s will look after yours. I have not had any infections and have no problem showering or bathing. The covering is waterproof and holds up reasonably well. Its a bit weird getting used to it at first but once you do it sits nicely in my bra and then I tape the end in place. My kids say it looks like I have a secret microphone taped between my boob. It is a bit scary having it done first but its like anything its only because you are nervous and wish you were somewhere else. The biggest pain was hanging around for four hours later and having a check x-ray done when all I wanted to do was go home.
Hope this is of some help.
Elle x
Thank you Elle, thats very reassuring. Did they sedate you before you had it done? I’m such a terrible baby at having any thing done to me, what do they actually do? I have panic attacks and am hopeless and cry alot!
Yes it will be at oncology at LRI.
Good to know you didn’t have any infection. I assumed that I would look after it myself, not DNs.
Well done on finishing your chemo!!
Erica x
Hi Erica
No they didn’t sedate me but to be honest i don’t think it is necessary. The specialist nurses who do it (Tom and Sharon) are just brilliant. They talk to you all the time and you have two other people in the room with you, one assisting and one working the ultrasound so they all chip in asking you things etc to keep your mind off it. You can have sedation if you wish just speak to them beforehand.
Yours chest is numbed so all you feel is a little sting at the beginning and then no pain just a bit of pushing when the guide wire is being positioned. As I said the annoying bit is hanging around for your x-ray 4 hours later, take a book as the waiting room at oncology day unit is not very exciting.
You don’t have to look after your line yourself if you are not happy to do it, I am a nurse and found it just gave me a bit of control over my treatment and I have to say that even though LRI is madly busy I am still glad I chose to go there over my own hospital unit as they work hard to get you through it.
Any other questions don’t hesitiate to ask.
Elle
Hi Erica
had a PICC line fitted last week to have 4th chemo, fitting PICC was fine just given numbing cream on arm for hour to numb the area then line inserted, had x ray to check it was in place then dressing put over to keep it in place, looks a bit unsightly and a bit bruised at min but made the chemo painless which is worth it. Hope you can make a choice which suits you and makes you treatment more copable, all the best donna x
It’s difficult, isn’t it?
I had a Grouschong (sp?) line after my second bc because I didn’t have an uncompromised arm (altho’ I suspect they wouldn’t have offered me one if I hadn’t pointed this out to them).
Yes, it does make the nurses’ lives easier, but it can do the same for you, greatly cutting down the time you spend in hospital. And it benefits your fellow patients too, as they don’t have to spend hours waiting to be seen while a nurse tries to access your veins.
So…quality of life issues (less congested car parks, for example?) for everyone. That said, for me it was a right faff getting it flushed every week and it was prone to infection. And I got very fed up stuffing it my bra and getting tangled up with it at night.
I’ve now got a port (I’ve got liver mets) and live in France. The policy here is that you get one, at the time of initial surgery (a sensible cost-saving policy, in my view)normally, unless you opt out. I’ve never met anyone who has.
They really are the Rolls Royce of chemo delivery. After research, the French decided that they don’t need flushing between treatment and so you don’t have to drag yourself to the GP’s, hospital or whatever just for a squirt of something up it. You can swim, shower, do what you like with one.
Yes, they are expensive, but fitting them at time of surgery keeps costs down and many, many more patients can be treated by the same number of nurses as they can hook people up so quickly, presumably freeing up public funds for drugs, etc.
Just my experience. I think a lot might depend on your lifestyle, how far you have to travel for treatment/flushing, how much more time a line/no line would mean you having to spend in a medical/hospital environment (very bad for morale, I find).
Good luck with your decision.
X
S
Hi,
I have a Hickman, and I can honestly say that I wish that I had had it put in sooner. I have no idea why anyone would feel pushed into doing it, its not easier for the nurses, requires more admin and longer treatment time to flush and maintain the line but it makes chemo so much more pleasant than having you had stabbed several times.
I chose to have one after one day which took 7 attempts to get blood and then a separate 9 times to get a vein for chemo, with them eventually having to go in via my bad arm.
hey I cant go swimming but as far as I was told we shouldnt be swimming during treatment anyway due to the volume of bugs in and around swimming pools.
The insertion process wasnt eactly the most pleasant experience however I didnt need sedated, had my sister with me to hold my hand for support and the nurses talked to me throughout.
Would absolutely recommend it to anyone.
dx
thank you Donna for such positive views. I am definitely going to have one because my right arm is trashed already.
Can you have someone with you whilst they do it? Should I bring someone to hold my hand?
I am so bad at this stuff. I had to drug myself up with Valium just to have an MRI!!