Pain in vein after chemo

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Hi All

Just had my 5th chemo (3 FEC and 2nd dreaded Tax) I was told that the veins wouldn’t be good in my chemo arm for a long while but when the nurse took bloods for testing on Tuesday the vein on the inside of my arm really hurt. But after having the Tax Wednesday I have found that when I pick something up with that arm I get a terrible pain shoot up the vein, as though somebody is cutting it with a knife.

Anybody else had this?

Liz xx

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Hi Liz

I did start to get shooting pain at the end of my arm and found it difficult to extend, after my 4th FEC chemo, suffered it for my 5th and had the Tax in the other arm for the last 2 and I have had no pain since.

Maybe ask if they can try the other hand or are you post surgery? Speak to your team if it’s really bad, I don’t think it should be debilitating.

Cecelia. x

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Hi Cecilia

Thanks - I will ring them. Though I am one of these that just sits tight hoping thing will get better!
I am post surgery so they can’t use other arm. I thought only 1 more to go in that arm but then it dawned on my last night that I have a year of Herceptin to go through those veins so am hoping by the time I start that (not sure when - although as first they said was having it with the Tax) my veins could be a bit better, I hope so. It hurts just picking up a cuppa !

Got couple of extra days of steroids this time with my Tax after last time which is absolutely awful isn’t it. The chemo also seems to set of my surgery site and reconstruction. Just think it settled down then I get the chemo and it all goes back to tightening and being uncomfortable.

Many thanks.

Liz xx

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Hi Liz
I had Painful veins after the first 2 Ec chemos and by the 4th was in agong as it went through my veins even the saline! and the nurse was struggling to find a decent vein. The onc recommended a Groshong line which is in my chest as after Taxotere i am also having 18 herceptin. Although it wasnt a very nice procedure chemo now is so much easier, my arm is still sore and the veins still very dark but it is improving.
You also mention pain in your surgery arm after chemo and tightening, im glad you mention this because after 3 Taxotere my operation side feels tight,stiff and aches constantly i have been worrying myself that its lyphadeoma as my watch nd rings feel tight too, maybe it is just the chemo.
I have my last Tax next week and still have not fully recovered from the last one.
Rachie

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hi
I am the same, i went to the doctors my arm was so painful , my vein has collapsed he has given me cream (it doesnt work really well ) i am told it wll repair itself but it can take quite some time, i do find a nice hot water bottle helps and the heat opens the veins apparently.
galen x