So, chemo starts Friday- 6x FEC75 and I had visit with chemo nurse on Friday gone and she suggested a PICC line would be useful-would prevent damage by the cannula to my hand where veins can harden after a few treatments and would also prevent any drug leak damage…I have booked in to have one on 16 Dec after first session but would greatly appreciate input and opinions! I live in a different town (30mins away) from my GP and hospital as bought my first flat and moved in 3 weeks before diagnosis and advised best not to change docs (glad I didn’t as they have been really great!) but means I will have to get PICC line flushed weekly rather than just attend chemo three weekly! Also the faff of keeping it covered and dry seems a pain but does the benefit outweigh the faff??? She also said it would speed up the treatment as no dilution required from a drip just pushed straight in!!!
I only had three FEC and chose not to have a PICC as I was concerned it would get in the way and would be a problem as I am a mum of young chilren.
My veins are however knackered. It was a real struggle to get cannulas in for chemo and blood tests, which have never bothered me, now put me in a cold sweat as I know what a problem they’ll be. I really did make a mistake.
It’s over tree months since my last FEC and my veins have improved a bit. My arms don’t hurt any more but my veins are rock hard and feel tight and uncomfortable. At first they just full on hurt. With each of the three FEC chemos they got worse and worse.
So all in all if I could get a do over I would have had a PICC.
I had a PICC fitted before my chemo - I had 6 FEC - as it took 2 anethetists 3 or 4 attempts to find a good vein on me, and that was when they had the choice of both arms.
I am so glad that I had it fitted. Yes it is a faff having to get it flushed every week. I had mine done by the District Nurse from my surgery, but I know not all surgeries wil do it. My friend who also has one has to go to oncology every week.
Having one in the winter isn’t too bad as it is hidden by your clothes, but I did get fed up of mine when it was warm enough to wear short sleeves as I got a lot of questions.
I kept mine for the first 6 rounds of herceptin as well but had it removed as the nurse said my veins should be ok to cope with that, and I had had enough of it by then. I had it for over 7 months and never had a problem with it.
Of course having a PICC does mean you are slightly resticted in what you can do, so I couldn’t move the lawn or do much hoovering - oh dear, what a shame!!!
Mine’s at 2pm as I have to take thd puppy to the vets in the morning! Kinda looking forward to getting it started! Think I will see how thd first one goes too - can always cancel my PICC appt if I want! Tricky! They said it could harden your veins and when you’re only down to one arm being allowed needles it makes it a bit more difficult! Also i dont have any probs with veins being found and don’t want that to change as they will have to take it from my foot otherwise and that’s a bit ick! I had a google for what it would look like and it’s more bulky on the outside than the nurse made out so still not sure…would be nice to wear vest tops (in the house obv during winter) and not have a big dressing on all the time! Hard decision this one!! Although CMW-like the avoidance of chores excuse if provides-my OH will love that!!! Haha!
I’ve had 3 FEC for far and have a PICC line, I’m a complete needle phobe and wasn’t looking forward to having it put in but it really wasn’t that bad. Took a while to get used to having it but can honestly say I now don’t notice it much. It’s a bit of pain having it flused every week but having watched others struggle with finding a vein… pleased I went with one!
Hi
i was borderline for having a picc line so tried without first. After each chemo my hand swelled up and veins hardened also I am a bit of a needle phobe so gave in and went for having a picc line before FEC3. Now I wish i had had it fitted from the beginning. I am now coming up to FEC6 (last one, yeah!) and my hand is just about normal size and I can now stretch out my arm without my lower arm feeling tight. A weekly visit to chemo unit to have it flushed is a chance to chat about any minor se’s and get advice and also to get to know all the nurses.
Appointment to have it put in took about 2 hours mainly due to the wait in xray, they want to check where it ends up after having it fitted. It is covered by a tubigrip which starts just below my elbow and finishes about 2 inches above it. I was also given by the chemo unit a plastic tube with elastic cuffs top and bottom so I put this on when showering to keep it dry.
Any other questions just post and I’ll try to answer them,
Good luck
Ali.
Finished 8 FEC-T 2 and a half months ago. Titchy veins like a baby’s.
I PICC-ed and it gave me a thrombosis, meaning I had to inject Clexane for a month or so.
The PICC had to come out because of this and the chemo was delayed for 6 weeks while they phaffed about getting the ok to put in a portacath. So they gave me FEC4 in my hand. The stuff splurged out of my veins and leaked at the entry site. I’ve now got very painful veins and a nasty big lump on my hand where the skin has healed over wound at the entry site where it leaked.
So, my experience was: PICC line bad (and a pain to live with) but effects temporary. Chemo in hand very nasty and effects permanent.
I wish I got offered a Picc sooner. It was left too long and by the time it was thought I needed one, my veins had collapsed too much to get a Picc in and had to have a Hickman. My veins are permanently shot and wonder what will be the case if I ever need another general anaesthetic. I started off not minding needles, but the thought of cannulation now is horrible.
Thanks all - this is super useful and I must say I think my instinct that I should have one sounds about right! Going to keep reading up and all experiences very useful!! Thank you so much!
Hi Emma, I had a PICC line put in after FEC 3 as the nurses had problems with cannulating me and my veins had tightened and I couldn’t straighten my arm. I had never had problems with needles before but I was starting to dread them. The PICC line made having FEC 4 so much easier and I am not dreading number 5 which is due this Thursday half as much as I have the previous ones knowing that I won’t have to have the needles stuck in me! I was nervous about having the line put in - different people seem to have different experiences - but it only took a few minutes and was painless as they give you a local anaesthetic. I cannot feel anything inside me. Having the end of it stuck on to my arm was a bit strange at first but I’ve got used to it now. Just have to be a bit careful in the shower but otherwise it’s fine. I go to my chemo unit to have it flushed each week - sometimes I can combine that with oncology and blood test appointments so it doesn’t mean too many extra visits. I’d definitely recommend having one.
All the best,
Amanda
I loathe cannulas - I’m not a needle phobe at all, but cannulas in your hand just downright HURT, in my experience. (Prob. not improved by midwives failing to remove one after 2nd child was born, they all ignored my requests to remove it and didn’t even bother flushing it through… result was that my hand swelled up…lovely).
So, I’ve been wondering about this option too, and now I feel I have a bit more info when I go for my pre-chemo appt. next Monday. (I’ll start in a couple of weeks time, Emma, so won’t be far behind x)
Hi
After all the discussions here, phone chemo unit and mine would be a Hickman rather than a PICC, and more advice on Hickman’s as it really turns my stomach, just the thought of it - wimp I know!
I didn’t have a PICC - decided I didn’t want one after looking up on the internet what was involved - I thought I had good veins and should have no problems.
I did manage ok - only once had a problem getting a vein for chemo but they managed the 2nd time. For me the problem was when they were taking blood as the vein in my elblow has gone very hard and impossible to get blood out of it - obviously can’t use the other arm. My hospital doesn’t use a PICC to take blood anyhow so I would have had the same problem. Its worth asking if they will use the PICC to take blood as well as IV - if they do then i would go with PICC.
xx
I had a PICC line inserted just b4 starting my chemo and to be honest with you it wasnt gr8 and i did wonder throughout whether I had made the right decision. I had 2 more chemos to go when the PICC line worked its way out by a few inches so it had to be removed and I had to have the final chemos with a cannula. It was incredibly difficult for them to insert it into my veins and to be honest with you it felt like it was burning my skin at the site entrance. I still feel quite sensitive around the area a year on.
I would 100% reccomend a PICC line to anyone now as it did make life so much easier, they took my blood from it and the district nurse would come and flush it out on a weekly basis which was totally pain free.
I do remember the nurses all saying that if they or a member of their families were about to embark on chemo they would ensure that a PICC line was inserted prior to treatment starting.
Good luck with your decision.
Good health & big hugs to all of you wonderful women.
I have had 2 chemos through a cannula in my left hand, the second caused a couple of blood clots in my left arm from the trauma of the FEC 100. I am about to get a picc line put in this friday and I am a bit worried too.
I haven’t had my mastectomy yet (left breast), but still have 4 chemo sessions left. I didn’t want a picc line in because I didn’t like the idea of it staying in all the time and catching on everything. Now the choice is being taken away from me.
A senior nurse said to me that she would always recommend a picc line when patients are having FEC because of the ‘E’ drug is so evil to your veins.
I think they will try and put it in my right arm (i’m right handed), but I wish they would put it in my left.
Is it worse being in your dominant arm? Do you have to wear a bandage over it? Any thoughts? xxxxx
If the PICC goes in your arm, does it get in the way of bending your arm, or not? I’m thinking about driving… it’s been bad enough not being able to get out of the village in the ten days since mx, so would not want something in my arm for months that would make driving awkward?
I also encourage you to go for PICC if offered, I had FEC x 6 and it got sorer every time. Now my veins are ruined and my arm looks badly scarred, an ugly and permanent reminder of BC. I had good veins, so was told I didn’t need a PICC. Now I’m wondering how I am going to get perception every 3 weeks for a year…
My picc line was inserted just below the bicep inside of my elbow. (just above where your arm bends). It doesn’t affect your arm movement at all and it is held in place with a special plaster/clip. You have to avoid getting it wet and this is easily done by using cling film or by holding your arm in the air its all pretty easy really. My line worked its way out because my plaster became loose. I can assure you that it does not limit your arm movement in anyway. You just need to make sure that the area is kept clean & dry so as to avoid any risk of infection.
Big hugs to you all.
Stella
X
Thanks Stella, and all of you with advice - I’d only really toyed with the idea of asking for a PICC beforehand (only based on my loathing of cannulas, not any lack of prominent veins!) - but will definitely be having a serious discussion next Monday with the chemo nurses…