Nothing wrong with taking tranquillisers - I was so terrified of the dentist years ago that I had to get a week’s supply of valium from the docs at Lancaster Uni.
When I told everyone why they told me all their worst ever dental nightmares. I have been fine ever since. I can only assume their gory tales anaesthetised or vaccinated me against further fear.
I also started using sensodyne toothpaste the dental equivalent to anaesthetic cream around the injection site. I think the fact I am now more relaxed now. My friends would tell you I am more frenetic seagull flapper dive bombing people with chips than a laid back bird with Raybans but I can be both…
Hey,
I was due 4xEC 1 every 2 weeks and 4xDoxi 1 every 3 weeks. I had 2 x EC and noticed my vein collapsing and the area above my wrist becoming sore, hard and lumpy. Oncologist recommended getting a PICC line fitted.
On day of fitting (about 3 days later cos they don’t hang around ) I was sitting with tears rolling down my face talking to the guy who was fitting it. I was terrified and rather p!ssed off that my veins had failed me.
The procedure was so easy, and pain free. A week later they were using it. Have now had it for 4 months as after 1x Doxi I was moved on to weekly Paxi. I have had 8 round of chemo through it with 5 to go plus all my blood samples and antibiotics (ended up in hospital with an unrelated infection).
I hope NEVER to need chemo again, but if I did I would definitely ask for one before I started. Less needles, quicker for chemo and bloods.
I really appreciate your reply here! It’s helpful to know that I am not the only person with tears about this, and I’m really grateful to know that the PICC line has helped you. And fully agree that I never want to go through this again - sending all of us good energy for recovery and so many thanks for modern medicine and the wonderful medical community who work with us every day (and night).
Hi
I understand how you feel, I felt the same for my mum, my mum when she had the procedure done, don’t want to scare you but it was bit painful for her but but it’s the best thing they did, I believe medication goes quicker and they don’t need to do cannula every time u attend the chemo.
She completed 2 treatments out of the 7. All well and good :).
If you are in pain take paracetamol that’s what I was been advised for my mum but of course anything abnormal or you just want reassure contact your triage team. Sofar she got on and off pain near the area where they have done procedure otherwise no other concerns. Just make sure not to move your arm too much
I’ve been told that some doctors give the local anaesthesia and then don’t wait, but cut right away. Local anaesthesia has not worked on me for past procedures, so my husband is prepared to be very fierce about making sure that the anaesthesia is in fact working before they begin. I also learned that they can’t deaden the actual vein, so to expect a nick when they open it. Shouldn’t be worse than a quick flick, though. I am sorry your mum has had ongoing pain with hers and hope that it will resolve and she’ll be able to cope without stress going forward. I am less afraid of the aftermath (even if a bit painful) - I am more afraid of medical interventions than I am of pain, tbh. I was abused in a hospital as a small child and hands reaching towards me with medical instruments is my absolute worst fear in the world. My husband will insist on being present for this! He’s very reassuring - as I’m sure you are for your mum:-)
It depends what is scaring you about the procedure.
I have a central port and can say maintenance sounds easier (doesn’t require taking care of external tubes and washing with a waterproof sleeve or anything).
I had it installed under local anaesthetic and while I won’t say it was a comfortable experience it wasn’t overly painful (I had cannulas put in that were more painful). It only took about 30 mins and was one of the least traumatising things that have happened during this whole experience.
I never had a PICC so definitely listen to the experiences of those who have/had them.
Personally I was pleased when they explained why I couldn’t have a PICC (after full node clearance I was told I can’t have anything on that side and they said they have to switch arms after a period, I thought it stayed in the one arm the WHOLE way through), the central port lasts for years in the same place and only needs 3 weekly flushing and as I have chemo every 3 weeks and a blood test the day before that they flush at the blood test appointment so it doesn’t require additional visits to the hospital.
Lots of people say you forget it’s there, I can’t say I’m quite there yet but it certainly doesn’t affect anything I do. You can go swimming with it etc.
I wish I’d been offered and I’d had it done before I started my initial treatment cos blood tests and chemo sessions go by much quicker (easier and less discomfort) and my poor veins were really suffering (I used to have big juicy ones but they’ve shrunk and when I would need cannulas it was painful, I was a blood donor and I really wasn’t used to pain like that).
Maybe your bc nurse can fully explain the pros and cons?
Thanks for sharing your experience! I really appreciate hearing how others have handled all of this, and it helps me to make better decisions for myself. I am (90%) going for the PICC line over a port because it’s quicker and easier to fit and to remove. It’s the procedure that I fear most! I should need it only for 8-9 weeks (my chemo plan is weekly for 12 weeks, with 3 behind me). Of course things could change but hopefully not dramatically. The line should be flushed weekly and the nurses will do that prior to and after my chemo treatments. Not looking forward to visible medical hardware hanging from my arm or the activity restrictions that come with it, but I am terribly afraid of medical procedures and the fitting is my greatest fear by far. Wishing you all the best with your recovery and somewhat envying the port’s convenience!
If they’re offering you a port. Take it.
Although if it’s only 10 weeks picc line is probably fine as well.
I got a port installed under local anesthetic, it was scary and all the pre-checks made it feel like a major operation. But it’s the best, I can shower and do everything and don’t need to think about it. It shows as a small headphone size lump under my collar bone, but hides under most clothes and will be removed once this is all over.
Thanks for sharing your experience! I’m terrified of the insertion and removal processes, and now it will be only 9 weeks, so that’s why the PICC instead of a port. If I needed it for longer, I’d beg for twilight anaesthesia and go for the port, but I don’t think there is any way I can physically stay still for the installation of a port with only local anaesthesia…
I’m in the Czech Republic and we are pretty much expected to suck it up and deal with things in a pragmatic fashion. No calming day naps for us! But I will be allowed to take a neurol in advance, so maybe it won’t be so bad. My husband is here with me but will have to be in Canada when it’s time to remove the device. I think it’s just seconds to remove a PICC so that will be helpful too. Thanks again for the good wishes! It really helps to feel a member of a community, even one that no-one hopes to join:-)
It sounds as if you have a lot going on. Are you from the Czech Republic? I imagine it must be quite different from the patient perspective if you speak another language.
I had a PICC fitted as I had many uncomfortable experiences with canular and worried about repeated damage to my veins. I know it sounds horrible but once in place it was fine. The company I bought my shower guard sleeve from was called limbo( but others are available). They also provided neoprene sleeves that helped to protect the line from snagging against clothes or when in bed.
Best of luck and love
Well, my Czech is functional and this is my third experience of medical treatment here. I have an autoimmune disease and also had an appendectomy here. But it’s true that I miss details sometimes in speech, especially when I’m stressed, and some nurses are patient and others…less so:-) This all requires a very high degree of trust (and tolerance of ambiguity).
Dear Everyone: PICC line is fitted and it was indeed not as bad as I feared. Very little pain and I managed to stay still until the job was done. I would be less scared if I ever had to go through this again (heaven forbid, though!). All of your kind replies to this post were really helpful and I want to say a sincere thank you to each of you, and am wishing you all every kind of support and help that you need as you walk though this path. Best, Deborah
Good to hear. I’ve been keeping an eye out for a post from you to say it was done. So glad it was not as bad as you had feared and hope all goes well with the treatment.
) I was sitting with tears rolling down my face talking to the guy who was fitting it. I was terrified and rather p!ssed off that my veins had failed me.