Heparin flush during chemo

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Reina_de_los_changos
Reina_de_los_changos Member Posts: 27
edited December 2016 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

I am having such a hard time with the heparin flush! Does anyone have any suggestions for dealing with that horrible taste?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited December 2016

    Put a strongly flavored mint in your mouth before they flush and hold your nose by pinching your nostrils shut during the flush. That worked for me, hope it does for you too!

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited December 2016

    I never had any issue with 'tasteing' during the flush - I 'smell' it. It 'smells' like rubbing alcohol. The 'smell' only lasts a few seconds, just while the saline is being injected to flush out the old heparin and is gone as soon as the new heparin is injected. I did 16 Chemo infusions (neoadjuvant 4 DD A/C and adjuvant 12 weekly Taxol) and have had MANY flushes in the yrs since end of Chemo. Originally, Bard said to flush monthly if it wasn't being used, so for about 4 yrs, I did monthly flushes but for the last approx. 2+ yrs, I've been doing flushes every 2 months as protocohol has changed - no problems with the longer time frame. While some keep a port for easier blood draws if they have issues with 'hitting' vein - I have great veins so it's not worth it to me to have to have it accessed by an RN with education about ports - much easier and quicker to just 'hit' my vein by any Tech and be done.

    You might ask if they could use a different fluid for the flush (not the heparin - just for the saline/fluid that flushes the 'old heparin out of the port).. I now go to different place for my flushes and early on going there, an RN noticed that I 'wrinkled' my nose when the saline started in and asked me 'What,s wrong?". I explained the 'smell' and she said she would look into it and see if there was a different fluid that might not 'smell' to me. So now they use a similar but different fluid and I do not 'smell' it all. You might want to talk with your Chemo RNs about if there is a different fluid that could be used.

    I choose to keep my port (with my PA's approval) so it's there and ready just in case it is ever needed again. Not expecting to need it but I 'visualize' it as my 'Little Soldier' standing guard with M16 at ready so the the Monster will not try to attack - but if Monster does try to attack - then Soldier is there ready to fight (and win) the battle again. Yeah - I do have a somewhat vivid imagination.

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  • Leydi
    Leydi Member Posts: 146
    edited December 2016

    Just before they inject the port flush, take a breath and hold it. Keep holding it, if you can, afterwards and then exhale. This greatly minimizes the taste/smell sensation for me. Plus, so simple.

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  • Reina_de_los_changos
    Reina_de_los_changos Member Posts: 27
    edited December 2016

    Thank you! I'll try that.

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  • Blessed2016
    Blessed2016 Member Posts: 37
    edited December 2016

    reina, yes try the strong mint or gum. I do it because both the saline and heparin flush tastes like rubbing alcohol and I noticed it was getting worse as the treatments went on. Hope it helps you. God bless you!

    May

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited December 2016

    Mine got better as chemo progressed - or I just go used to it! Good suggestions here - good luck!

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