anybody every had this happen

Hi everyone,

Just fyi my problem above was called an extravasation which in this day and age is very rare. It is where the chemical goes into your arm instead of the vein. They have no definite answer as to why it happened as it was about 3 and 1/2 hrs into tx. My vein could have gave out or faulty cannula (?) I did not have any burning or itching it just became very swollen quite quickly. The side effects for the first week were extreme pain and could not even rest my arm on a pillow or arm of a chair. It would go from pain, extereme itching, burning and had three lesions that did not open but peeled prior to the rest of my arm which is now peeling. It is now rough like I had heat rash from to much sun looks either red or brown at times.

When the swelling was present I iced it every hour or two with a light towel between my arm and ice. It did help the itching some but for the most part I put cortizone cream initally but had better luck with beneadryl cream. I was told not to put either on the lesions especially if they opened. I also took beneadryl capsules at night otherwise I woke up scratching. I had to go to the chemo clinic everyday for the doctor to look at it and make sure there is no infection. There was a particular form they have to fill out when then happens and monitor very closely.

Just beware girls if you feel anything odd with your iv like itching, burning or swelling call some right away.

take care laurel