Hi all,
I’m just curious as to whether many people have problems with their Hickman or PICC line. I’ve had my Hickman in for 7 weeks, and have developed a swelling above the clavicle on the same side that my line is inserted and also a very achy arm. I was checked out in clinic to day, and had to have an ultrasound of the area, but no infection or haematoma was found and the line is still in the right place. The docs seem to be puzzled, but say that it’s ok to still use the line. I’m having to take painkillers for the ache and I hope I haven’t got this problem for another 2 months until my chemo ends. Anyone had similar???
I’m surprised I wasn’t given antibiotics just in case.
I had problems with both a Hickman and PICC, so now have a port. On both occasions, infections got into the lines. I wouldn’t worry too much about thinking that you might have an infection-if you did, you would know about it! My temperature rocketed, I ached, literally from head to toe, and could scarcley move. It’s not the type of infection which starts slowly, and then builds up-on both occasions, this happened within an hour (1st time), and 20mins (2nd time), of having the lone flushed. Keep an eye on it, but I doubt there will be an infection, in the line, at least.
Thanks very much for replying, it’s reassured me to some extent. I feel well - as well as anyone can on chemo!, and have no fever, so hopefully it’ll stay that way. According to today’s blood results, I’m neutropenic, so I suppose if an infection’s going to develop it should do soon or would have by now.
Hi steph, I had problems from day one with mine, very painful in the end I had to have it taken out due to infection. I was neutropenic on three occasions and they stopped my chemo, I am now 6 months on and fighting fit, just a bit of encouragement, these days are hard but you will get thru them 
Oh dear - looks like this is going to be everyone responding who’s had problems with a Hickman - I got an infection and developed septicemia and was very ill - temperature 104 for 3 days despite intravenous everything, and if you ever wish to see penguins coming out of the walls of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Ward 17, just get septicemia!! Meant I missed my last Tax cycle which I’d have preferred not to, but was told the danger to my health of having it outweighed any disadavantages.
However, I’ve spoken to lots of people who’ve had hickmans who swear by them almost. I had mine cos of lousy veins - 2 hours for cannula insertion in cycle 2 finally convinced them that when I said I had bad veins, I meant it!! And then of course when in hospital - (the septicemia triggerd an abcess on my gall bladder which burst so anothe remergency admission, and then countless sourceless infections …)the drips blood transfusions et al - it does make life easier having some kind of line. I ended up with a temporary line in my groin as they were reluctant to re-Hickman me, but if - please no! - I needed chemo or was likely to be on drips, I’d go for one again - I think!!
I also should have said, that if there was an infection you would be suffering from the rigors-ie, uncontrollable shivering, shaking, and teeth chattering. It’s all incredibly painful and distressing, and needs the line removing immediately, and IV antibiotics to deal with it. So, as you are feeling well/ok, then I think it’s maybe just that you’re feeling a bit “off”, and is not indicative of a line infection.
3 days later and it’s still the same, achy especially by the end of the day when I take painkillers, same slight swelling. But no infection developments, so it may be like this for the next 6 weeks until the end of my chemo. It’s still better than not having a Hickman though with the dreaded cannulas!
Hi Hun x I had a hickman and picc and had countless problems. An infection will not always present quickly or as obviously in all patients. I too had ongoing pains and my temp would rocket then drop etc but all this took place overweeks and eventually an infection was diagnosed and this happened on a few seperate occasions. It turned out in each case infection was finally found and after I think third occasion the line was removed. My picc also developed probs so I guess what I am saying is that if it’s bothering you speak up. Better safe than sorry cos as I say it’s not the same for all of us xxxx
I think your either lucky or not with lines xx
signet - something can’t be quite right with the pain and swelling, and I’ll mention it when I see the onc next Wednesday. I think I’m just waiting for a full blown infection to develop.
I agree and good luck xxxx let me know how it goes xxx as I say mine niggled away before the infections hit
Shoulder was actually painful rather than achy a couple of nights back but I felt ok otherwise so took 400mg ibuprofen to get to sleep. Woke up the following morning and hey presto! pain back to a slight ache when moving arm up and swelling down. As ibuprofen reduces inflammation, that must prove there has been some within the vein I think.
Swelling seems to have gone down and aching is less, so at the mo, all fine and dandy!
Hopefully only have it in for about another 4 weeks.