Problem with veins during Chemo. Advice needed!

senka
senka Member Posts: 6
edited February 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I am about to have my fourth round of AC tomorrow and finding good veins for chemo and blood draws is becoming more of a problem each time. That worries me a lot since after this last AC that is due tomorrow (one each 21 days) I'll start Taxol weekly for 12 weeks, and have weekly blood draws as well (and Herceptin after that for one year - and that too is given though IV in my country....).

I'd be very grateful for any advice you might have on what I can do that could improve state of my veins. I tried to google it, and so far the only thing I could find is to massage my arm.

Thanks!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2015

    Here is a page with different ways of giving chemotherapy. Is there a chance that you could discuss a port with your physician? How Is Chemotherapy Given? We're thinking about you!

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  • CassieCat
    CassieCat Member Posts: 1,257
    edited February 2015

    I would think a port might make sense, if they're having trouble finding/using veins.

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2015

    Goodness, get a port. They should have recommended one from the start!

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited February 2015

    If they can't or won't install a port, maybe a PICC line is an option.

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  • Janetanned
    Janetanned Member Posts: 532
    edited February 2015


    A port saved my few good veins.  It really made the whole AC/T experience doable.  All of my blood draws were done through the port.  it was great.  My hands were free during the infusion, which I appreciated.  Once chemo was over my onc said to take it out.  The dr who removed it offered to take it out with sedation or a local.  I opted for the local and was pleasantly surprised how quick the procedure was.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited February 2015

    Talk to your Dr about getting a port or PICC line.

    Damage to veins (especially if don't have good ones to staft with) is why a port is usually suggested to protect veins. PICC lines are another possibility to protect veins. Foot/Leg veins can be used if necessary when arm veins are 'shot'.

    I did 4 DD A/C (every 2 weeks) neoadjuvant (pre-surgery) and 12 weekly Taxol adjuvant (post UMX) and still have great veins in my non-surgery arm. Veins should not be accessed on surgery side (or BP done) because of the potential to contribute to developing LymphEdema.


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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited February 2015

    Hi Senka. A couple of things I found really helped were heat and hydration. I'd put a heat pack on my arm for the drive there and the nurses would add to it for another 15 minutes or so when I got there. Hydration was super important. The more hydrated I was, the plumper my veins got. I'd try to drink at least 500 mls. of water an hour before. NO CAFFEINE. Good luck to you.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited February 2015

    Thankyou ladies for all your valuable feedback to senka. We are sure it will be of assistance to her to discuss prior to he infusion tomorrow.

    Your support is so useful to those beginning and part way through these processes.

    The Mods

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  • leggo
    leggo Member Posts: 3,293
    edited February 2015

    Also, forgot to mention that nicotine constricts the veins in your arm as well. Don't know if you're a smoker or not, but nicotine made my veins virtually disappear. I'm a smoker, so I didn't smoke for 12 hours before the IV . I used a non-nicotine vapor stick instead.

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  • senka
    senka Member Posts: 6
    edited February 2015

    thank you all very much!!! just returned home after getting my last AC. It went smoothly, they got the good vein on the first try :-). I massaged my arm last night and kept it warm this morning so I guess it helped.

    I spoke to my oncologist re my veins and she said we'll wait a bit and see how it goes, if the problems continue we'll try other options (not clear yet on what exactly that might be, as I'm not sure which of the things you suggested they do in my country. BTW it's Bosnia)

    Now I have quite a few rough days ahead of me, but I find comfort in the fact that Taxol seems to have less side effects than AC. Hope this is last nausea caused my chemo :-) pretty soon all of this will be just memories of hard times that have thought me how to truly love myself and care for myself :-)

    I wish you all the best!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited February 2015

    Best of luck, Senka!

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