Hi all, yesterday was not a good day, I had my usual 3 monthly ct scan (now extended to 6 months). I live in dread not of the scan but of the vein hunt that precedes it. In the past they have had to use my foot, this time they made 3 attempts all failed miserably and it’s left me black and blue add to which they ended up scanning me without any contrast dye so the image won’t be as good or clear for the Dr’s to look at. They actually wanted to put the needle in on the inside of my wrist! I’ve never had that before and I decided enough was enough I didn’t let him stick the needle in there (apparently excruciatingly painful) It means when I go back in Feb for my results (another day of fear) they will probably ask I have the scan repeated and so it starts all over again. I am no longer on chemo but have subcutaneous herceptin so no need for a vein, other than the occasional blood test which the pblebotonist always manages! The ct scan is the only thing that requires a decent vein! Does anyone else suffer with the same problem? and if so how do you get around this? As I am on herceptin for life and am currently living with secondary breast cancer that is presently stable. Thanks in advance for advise. Xxx
HI Sarahlouise
I have awful veins, but they do use the one inside my wrist. While it is painful, i perfer it to them trying in lots of different places and not getting in. Hope this helps. Also hope the scan can show what they need and you don’t have to have another one. Hugs
Sarah
Hi SarahLouise
Oh how I can empathise with you…I usually end up feeling like a pin cushion and black and blue. However, my nurse daughter once advised me to have it put on my notes in bold that I have challenging veins which require an EXPERT to deal with as not everyone trained in bloods is as good as each other and some are only ‘allowed’ to use certain areas of our bodies. I have had the inside of my wrist used on occasion and actually it is relatively ok in terms of what the option of hunt the vein can be. I’ve also opted for my foot when needing something longer term. What I can’t bear is the adventurous type who will not be beaten by my veins and keeps going until Im in tears. Supposedly the best practitioners are the anaesthetists as it is what they do all the time and can do any part of your body - within reason I guess. My own way of coping in the moment is to look away and use controlled breathing, counting in and out and I dont care how nuts I look. I was told by my oncologist that anyone needing long term vein access is advised to have a port to avoid this mess. Here’s hoping you don’t need to go through the stress of a repeat performance and that all is well.
Hugs
Katie
Hi I had mastectomy eleven yrs ago followed by.chemo all thru the good arm.which ruined the veins.recently I am allowed to use other arm which has helped.
I do the same as Katie.look other way .hypnotise myself by repeating
.pink fluffy unicorns
In my head of course and breathing calmly…
Mad but helps
.i too have had gung
Ho Drs and nurses who cant and won’t be beaten.and have bought me to tears…as vein after vein shuts’ off…oh the relief when it goes
In
Xc
Hi Sarahlouise - do you warm up your hand to bring up your veins before they try to insert the cannula? My former oncology unit always made me put my hands in a sink of water that was very hot. I’ve had a couple of experiences of about 7 attempts (without the hot water) and it’s only been when I’ve asked and they’ve brought me a bowl of hot water, or I put my foot in the sink, that they then managed to get a vein. Or, as others have said, perhaps ask for someone more expert in cannulation.
Best of luck and good luck with the scan results.
X