Hi all
I have just had my second chemo (Epi) and it all went fine until on the way home I noticed my hand had swelled up. I rang the chemo suite straight away and they said to apply pressure for 5 mins to reduce the swelling. She also said I will probably be bruised.
Has anyone else had this ? What causes it ? I was hoping my veins would be ok as i have got 10 more cranulas to go !
Any advice welcome.
Thanks
Lisa
Hi Lisa
After the 1st chemo i am on FEC i had a really hard vein in that arm that really ached and i thought i was going to get lymphodema and my hand swelled so i exercised as i am paranoid about having lymphodema, squeezed my fingers all the time, lifted my arm etc.The 2nd one i had a different nurse and i think she put the drug through a lot slower and the third one the same nurse and again it took a lot longer and i have had no problem with swelling or veins . Do you think that could be the problem ?
Wish you well and every good wish
Kate
xxx
Hi Lisa
I have a really sore arm after my last chemo, feels really bruised. Phoned chemo nurse and she said to keep a hot water bottle on it as it encourages blood to circulate to the area and repair the damage.
I’m dreading having it again on tues, but only 3 more after that :o( Try the hot bottle it’s feels nice if anything
Good luck
Ang x
Hello Everyone!
So pleased you have brought this one up. I have had 3 doses of FEC and after the last one encountered pain in my wrist, hand an arm. I thought it was me or I’d done something not connected to the chemo.
Know what you mean about being paranoid. I’ll try the exercises and hot water bottle.
Going for 4th dose next Wednesday - UGH - docetaxel this time. I’ll ask the nurse about the hand/arm situation.
Good Luck to Everyone!
Lynda
Just a comment that I hope will ease the fears of getting lymphoedema. The chemotherapy will be given in the unaffected side, so for those who have had breast cancer and lymph node removal on one side, the chemo (and all future blood tests, injections and blood pressure monitoring) will be on the other side (always tell future nurses/doctors only to use the unaffected side). For those unfortunate to develop lymphoedema after lymph node removal it will only affect the hand/arm/possibly breast on the affected side. Therefore swelling and discomfort in the chemo site is a direct result of the treatment and will ease again - but it won’t result in lymphoedema. Certainly moving the hand and fingers, slightly elevating the hand and applying warmth (and I would have thought ice well wrapped up) will all ease the discomfort and swelling. Hope this helps a bit - I was a former lymphoedema nurse! Good luck everyone. Sarah.
Ladies
Thanks for your replies. I did have a different nurse this time who was lot quicker injecting the drugs so maybe this caused the problem. My hand feels a lot better this morning just looks bruised not but it is not painful. I will remind them next time I go so they can be more careful.
Ive got to have 10 more cranula’s so I dont want to wreck my veins too quickly !!!
Many thanks
Lisa X
Hi
I had pain right up my arm after second chemo and was told it was scar tissue from the chemo. best thing to do is keep stretching and exercising your arm, although it works at first, i found that stretching exercises helped in the long run. hot water bottles too work. your veins will repair themselves after chemo you just have to make sure they use different veins each time and not stick to just one. good luck. carrie
Just another thought to ladies with sore areas on their arms after chemo. Mine was sore at the elbow, and felt “lumpy” and I was sent for a scan which showed that two blot clots (venous thrombosis) had appeared about a week after my second chemo,one at the elbow and one higher up, - now on daily anti-coagulant injections, although they are still using the arm for my chemo. Message is, always get checked if you do get a sore area on your arm! Hope next chemos are better for everyone - and the arms less painful! Sarah