Hickman Line problem???

[Guest user]

Either a portacath or a picc line, which goes into your arm? Having said this, I don't know where it goes from there...

Jenny.

[Guest user]

Julie - poor you. The only alternative I can think of is a portacath. Hope they sort something out? Can they do mobile echoes/ultrasounds as that might show if line moving when you move? Not sure if it's possible but in my little head seems a logical solution.
Kate

[Guest user]

Sorry to hear you got no answers yesterday at the hospital, Julie. Will keep my fingers crossed that they come up with something tomorrow for you.

Sending you a big hug

Kay x

[Guest user]

Hi Julie,

I have a portocath which was put in 2 weeks back but isn't working at the moment, not the same as you or anywhere near as scary but just wanted to add my best wishes that you get this sorted out.

You stick up for yourself! It's your body and you have a right to get through all this with as little trauma as possible.

Good luck
Nikki

[Guest user]

Hiya,

I waited 4 hours to see the doc today so didnt get my 1st new chemo, gotta go back on Weds for that.

Doc have no idea why im feeling this way since the line was put in. I had an ECG as well as the scan yesterday, they got a chemo nurse to draw blood from the line & flush it. Everything seems to be ok.
They thought that maybe the line could have been flicking & its irritating me around my heart but by the looks of the scan the line is a tiny bit higher up than it should be (rather than lower down which is what I thought it may have been), so they have no ideas.
Doc did take me for a very short stroll down the corridor with a pulse monitor on my finger & within a matter of seconds my heart rate had gone up so she does think that it is the line causing it, buy why??

Ive been told to see how I go on til Weds & if I still feel the same they will look into possibly some other alternative.....what alternatives?...they have no idea as the other alternatives all go into the same vein near your heart.
I cant be left feeling like this for the whole of my chemo cycles as it has made me feel so miserable after a week so I will never cope with 5 months.
Im hoping to god there is something they can do as im scared that there wont be and I will no longer be able to have further treatment.

Kate......... im soooooooo glad that you are better. You had us pretty scared there lady!
You keep getting stronger chuck. Its nice to have you back. X X X X

Thanks to all of you that have replied to this, I appreciate it.

X X

[Guest user]

Julie
Hope you OK/
The fact that you haven't posted after seeing the chemo team today makes me think that you were right and that something was wrong. I've had 2 hickman lines and never felt like that. Infection or have they punctured something?
Hope you are OK?
Kate

[Guest user]

Hi Julie

Hope you have managed to get some answers today.

Love Kay x

[Guest user]

Good luck for tomorrow, maybe a bit of infection at least you have got the ball rolling so to speak.

Love Debsxxx

[dawnhc]

Wishing you luck tomorrow Julie :). at least they x-rayed again to check. I hope they come up with a reason and a solution.

dawn
xxx

[Guest user]

Just an update.....

I went to the chemo ward. Had temp taken, normal. Heart rate was a bit high, nurse asked me if I usually have a fast heart rate I said no......and I pointed out that if I had it would be on my previous records.
Doc came to see me to ask what my symptoms were. I told her and she sat there looking a bit puzzled.
She had a look at the xray from Monday after the line was fit and said it looked ok, so sent me for another chest xray. Which again was ok. She said there doesnt appear to be a problem with the line.
I asked if it wasnt the line what was the problem then. She said she has no idea! She checked my pulse again and said my heart was beating quite fast (plus I was coughing like a good 'un!)
She has told me to get the chemo nurses tomorrow to get another doc to see me as they may wanna look further into it.

I know its deffo something to do with the line as I was not having any of these problems prior to having it put in. I felt so frustrated as they are saying that all seems ok when I know it isn't.

Wish me luck tomorrow!!

Julie

[Guest user]

Hope they can put your mind at rest, Julie, and that there isn't any particular problem (or if there is, they can sort it quickly and easily!).

Let us know how you get on.

K xx

[Guest user]

Thank you for your replies.

I rang the ward this morning and have been told to go in and see a doc just to make sure that things are ok. Nurse said they may send me for a chest X ray (I did have an xray after they inserted the line).

Once again, thanks

Julie

[AnneG]

I had a groshong line which is similar and it didn't feel like that. Before that I had a PICC line and had a lot of shoulder pain - which turned out to be a blood clot. What you are experiencing may be entirely different, but I can only repeat what the others have said, you need to get advice.

Good luck
Anne

[dawnhc]

Hi Julie,

I echo what debs and jo have said above. I have had 3 hickmans and would say this is not normal. Did they xray your chest after the hickman was inserted, to check the position?

It's a b*gger that these things happen over the weekend isn't it 😞

Dawnhc

[Jo_BCC]

Hi Julie,

As Debs has suggested above it might be a good idea to phone your chemo unit, or alternatively give NHS Direct a ring and have a chat with them. The number for NHS Direct is 0845 4647

Hope this helps,
Jo, Facilitator

[Guest user]

Hi Julie
sorry I can't help but I would ring the ward that we are able to ring if we have chemo problems. It is weekend and I would not want to hang around A&E.
Hope you are able to get it sorted.
LoveDebsxxx

[Guest user]

Hiya,

I had a Hickman Line put in on Monday (10th) and don't know if i'm supposed to be feeling the way I am?
I seem to have developed a cough which I can't get a good deep breath to have a good cough as when I breathe in its like I can feel the line in what feels like in my heart (?) and its like sharp pain that goes up my left collar bone (The line has been inserted to my left side). I get very breathless and get a pounding heart on the slightest exertion like walking up the stairs and the pain goes into my right collar bone/shoulder.

I was under the impression that your not supposed to notice the line in?
Well, since ive had it in im always coughing, have a fluttery or pain in my chest and get very breathless when im hardly doing anything..........thats not right is it???

I feel like I have got a constant irritation in my chest

Has anyone else had any probs when you have had a line put in????

Many thanks

Julie