I had a hickman line inserted this afternoon and found the whole process very disturbing - even after doctor gave me sedation - but this evening the entry site in my neck is really sore - and I’m aware of it. And turning my neck is uncomfortable…
Is this normal - and how long does the discomfort last for?? Not sure I can lie down tonight…
Also will the plaster over the neck site have to stay on for the long term, or is it just the plaster over the exit site that has to remain in place?
Grateful for anyone else’s experiences…
Bright xx
Hello Bright
Yes the entry site will be tender for a couple of days and is a bit uncomfortable, so it’s normal.
I was advised to take the plaster at the neck site off after 2 days to let the air get to it, then once you have the stitch taken out you need no further further dressings and it just heals up and leaves a little red mark.
I had a clear dressing over the chest site up until I had those stitches removed (usually after 3 weeks) then no further dressings are needed to actually cover the wound. Only a bit of tape to curl the tube around to stop it dangling too low and minimise pulling it accidentally. When the stitches have been taken out, it just goes a bit scabby for a few days then it’s fine.
I tended to change the clear dressing every 2 or 3 days, but if you do this make sure your wear sterile gloves and if you need to clean the area, just use the alcohol wipes once then use a fresh one.
Have you been advised to use an actibacterial shower gel whilst the line is in place? My onc provides me with this at each chemo visit, it’s called Hibiscrub.
Also keep an eye on your temp (you’ve probably already been advised to do this anyway)
Hope all this is helpful - I’ve rambled on a bit but the more info you have the better to put your mind at rest.
Good luck and if you need any more info, I’ll do my best to help.
Take care
Sue x
hi bright and sue - bright like sue says it sounds normal from what I’ve read - I too am waiting to have one so you are a few days ahead of me! I hope to have mine in by next wed for my second chemo - they tried a picc line but no good, managed to have 1st one via usual way but they said veins wouldn’t hold out. So Sue you don’t need dressings long term then, that sounds good but not so good re the hibiscrub maybe - is that the pink stuff? Just thinking about the lack of baths - or can you have a bath - plus no nice shower gel, sob…bright take some ibuprofen and paracetamol or something if its achey, mary x
I had a Hickman line inserted under seadtion on Feb 9th - it was sore for a week but is OK now, and I can lie on that side to sleep with no bother.
Strange how different areas give different advice - I have to keep the area covered, but have the line flushed each week by our local District Nurse - the chemo nurse does it on chemo week.
They said I could shower but always keep my back to the jets - it’s easier to sit in a fairly shallow bath so the end of the line doesn’t dangle in the water.
Hope that helps - regards, Ros.
thanks ros - all help gratefully received!! Mary x
I had a portacath put in a month ago - very similar I think in that there’s a neck wound and a chest wound. I also found it a rather unpleasant experience to have put in, although not painful.
Mine was sore for about a week. I could feel the tube in my neck when I swallowed and I couldn’t sleep on that side at all - I think I slept partially sitting up for a couple of days actually.
The good news is that I think the tube sort of softens up and becomes more flexible because it doesn’t give me any trouble now and I can sleep on that side with no problems.
thanks everyone for advice and experiences,
Neck wound is still a little sore but not like yesterday - and yes I did sleep sitting up last night. So tired today. Had chemo today so feeling naseaus and tired - but wanted to write and thank you all.
Told best to keep exit would covered - not for risk of infection but to keep wires out of the way but neck one comes off next week and the stictches out.
Can have a kind of shallow bath - if area does not submerge in water.
Nothing about hibiscrub…
And good luck to those of you awaiting lines to go in.
Thanks again
Bright xxx
Hi everyone
Mary - Yes the Hibiscrub is pink and smells a bit chemically - a bit like having a shower with ‘Mr Muscle’ !!! Not very pamperish but if it keeps skin clean and lessens the chance of infection, I’ll keep on using it, but boy when the line comes out I’ll have the longest bubbliest soak in history 
Re the dressings - once the stitches are out, I was advised just to leave it uncovered but tape the line in a loop around the exit site so the line doesn’t dangle to your bellybutton. Once it’s healed it’s fine.
Ros - I was told showers are fine (even facing the jets) once the stitches are out, and just pat it dry. I too have the line flushed once a week and they always give the end of the line a thorough clean before they start.
Eeee the things we go through eh - it’ll all be worth it ladies !
Keep yer peckers up and take care
Sue x
Sue - quite right re the hibiscrub - who cares as long as it does what it says on the bottle! Still no appt - have rang the chemo unit for them to chase it up after the last x ray woman nearly bit my head off…mary x
Just to report that neck discomfort has almost gone and I can see under the covering that the incision was very small indeed - so hopefully very little scarring.
I managed to have an almost proper bath today - by tying the lumens with a little cord around my neck - so was pleased about that.
Love Bright xx
Hi Bright
Pleased to hear you had a bath (sounds a bit rum that, but you know what I mean) it makes you feel better when you can manage to do ‘normal’ things.
Mary - where do these so called ‘professionals’ get their attitude from? I can understand to a point that they’re under pressure but arn’t we all (when we’re working) and at the end of the day they have got a job to do, and surely, especially in the nursing profession, dealing with patients in a sympathetic manner is part of the job???
You keep on at them for your appointment and give as good as you get if you get the ‘attitude’.
Good luck chuck and keep us posted how you get on.
Love
Sue x
hi girls - a query here - after being asked to ring xray and sort out appt I did - apr 14th is the soonest they can do! This is day before next chemo is hopefully due but the nurse I spoke to on the unit afterwards this am said we’ll have to delay the next one - why? - because it has to be in a week so it can be flushed and then used!? Bright - noticed you had yours in on tues then chemo wed - did they mention anything to you like that?? Fair enough delaying treatment if you’re not well but because they won’t do the line earlier??? I don’t know…grrrrr
thanks for the pm’s - mary x
Hi Mary
The line gets flushed before you have your chemo on chemo day so don’t know why they are saying you have to wait a week for chemo after the line insertion? I would confirm that with your unit.
Sorry you have to wait till 14th April, is it worth ringing up every now and again to see if they have any earlier dates?
I was quite lucky really as the first chemo was a struggle because of my ‘rubbish veins’ and the chemo nurse (who happened to be the one in charge) immediately recommended the line - which was then put in the day before my next chemo.
Hope you get an earlier app’t chuck and good luck.
Sue x
well girls its in and yes bright - I know what you mean about the neck!! Absolutely cream krackered now - think I’ve been dreading it but glad its over! Going to try a cream cake to see if that helps! ;0) mary x
Hi Mary
Pleased to hear it’s all over and done with now. It is a bit uncomfy at first but it soon wears off and you’ll find you get used to it quite quickly once the stitches are out.
The cream cake will definately help - I’m more of a custard person meself, vanilla slices and suchlike !!!
One of the avantages of having a line is you tend to get your bloods done quicker on chemo day as there always seems to be a big queue for the vein bloods.
Good luck with it chuck and keep in touch to let us know how you get on.
Sue x
Glad your line went in okay Mary - seems ages ago now. My line is okay - but i find my skin gets a bit sore where the plaster is taken off and replaced each time. I have gone over from Tagiderm (spelling??) to IV3000 plasters - as slightly kinder to the skin.
I do find waking up with the line each day a bit depressing. Just not really part of me… but at least it will be removed at the end of chemo.
Bright x
bright - will you be having herceptin? I haven’t got my her2 results yet so don’t know - will I keep it in for that I wonder? mary x
Mary,
No - I am not Her2+ so herceptin for me. I think though you can have it through the line. But Herceptin does not iritate the veins in the same way as Epirubicin - so you may be able to go back to cannulas again…
I am Er+ Pr+ -so will go onto tamoxifen which is given in tablets.
Her2 results come later - so good luck either way.
Bright x
Hi Mary
I am HER2+ so a year’s worth of Herceptin for me after chemo finishes in June. Onc told me Herceptin goes via the Hickman line so unfortunately I have my little friend for another year yet!
It’s not that the chemo was irritaing my veins, apparently my veins are hard to find and rubbish when they find them.
Just a bit of info for you and take care
Sue x