Scans and Veins

Public Archive
1

I have yey another CT scan coming up like so many of us. Although I have a portacath which makes the bloods a doddle now , they can’t put the contrast dye through the port. The veins on my unaffected arm are shot to pieces and I wondered if anyone had been brave enough to let them use the affected arm.
Best wishes to all who have scans looming!!
Kathryn

2

I have rubbish veins and have had many scans without the contrast dye at all. However, to make everyones’ lives easier these days, I go to the chemo suite with my yuccy drink and get them to insert a cannula before having the scan done.Maybe you could try this? The chemo nurses are soo much better at getting that needle in.

Good luck with the scan

Jenny

3

I do the same as Jenny - I go to the chemo clinic to have my canula put in as 9 times out of 10 they get it in first time. It’s a pity that our portacaths can’t take the dye but I was told that it would ‘blow’ the tube because of the force of it.

I wouldn’t risk your other arm (although this is only my way of thinking). I allowed a nurse to take my blood pressure on my affected side 1.5 years ago when I was feeling pretty ill (didn’t really realise what she was doing) and within a couple of weeks I ended up with lymphoedema - nearly 12 years after my surgery.

I’ve got another scan coming up soon as well plus an MRI week after next - just a continuous round of them isn’t it!

Pinkdove

4

They used my affected side once with no ill effects. My first diagnosis and surgery were 10 years ago so I thought I was safe - timely warning Pinkdove, I’ll bear it in mind. They tend to use the back of my hand these days - so far so good.

Barbara

5

I felt exactly the same as you Barbara - you tend to think that when you’re so far down the road that the risk isn’t probably there. I have a feeling though that maybe because of what was going on for me with my liver and I had ascites at the time that this may have contributed to the lymphoedema. Mine is classed as moderate and I tend to wear my sleeve most of the time but it’s manageable but am very aware of it when it’s warmer weather because you can’t hide it as much.

Pinkdove