Chemo leaked around IV

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DebbyB
DebbyB Member Posts: 86
in Breast Cancer #1
I looked for a thread, but couldn't find one with this subject. When I was having A/C treatments, some of the red devil leaked into my wrist from the IV. It swelled, was red, but I kept warm packs on it and it seemed to have gotten better. Now, its a few months later and it started aching all the time about a month ago. I started sleeping with a brace and that helped some at night.

Has anyone else dealt with this and what helped? Does it go away, again?

Thank you and hugs, Deb

Comments

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #2
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    Mine leaked once, too!
    But nothing bad happened. Or at least I didn't know if it did. I know my oncologist was not happy about it, but I was too stupid to think it might be something to worry about. Sorry I can't be of more help to you. If it's causing as much trouble as it seems, I think you should contact your oncologist.

    Suzanne
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #3
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    Double Whammy said:

    Mine leaked once, too!
    But nothing bad happened. Or at least I didn't know if it did. I know my oncologist was not happy about it, but I was too stupid to think it might be something to worry about. Sorry I can't be of more help to you. If it's causing as much trouble as it seems, I think you should contact your oncologist.

    Suzanne

    I know the red devil isnt
    I know the red devil isnt good to infiltrate. But usually an infiltrate will resolve and be ok. However I am not familiar with how adriamycin works in this way. you can see your regular doctor, it could be you injured it somehow or the infiltrate.
  • atiredparent
    atiredparent Member Posts: 45
    #4
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    I am surprised you didn't
    I am surprised you didn't have to have a port. My oncologist recommended TAC for me but I ended up choosing just TC. He told me that with the A there is no choice but to have a port because it is too damaging to tissues and veins.

    I would definitely call oncologist.
  • Phoenix chick
    Phoenix chick Member Posts: 13
    #5
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    Why not ask for a Port?
    You may be getting irritable blocked veins in your hands. Tell your doc... I got an ultrasound done and discovered that my veins were badly blocked from the site of my port all the way to my armpit. I love my port... it was so then easy for the nurses to hook me into the machine, to take blood samples etc... without having to keep find an unblocked, healthy, vein.
  • GrammyKaren
    GrammyKaren Member Posts: 96
    #6
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    Phoenix chick said:

    Why not ask for a Port?
    You may be getting irritable blocked veins in your hands. Tell your doc... I got an ultrasound done and discovered that my veins were badly blocked from the site of my port all the way to my armpit. I love my port... it was so then easy for the nurses to hook me into the machine, to take blood samples etc... without having to keep find an unblocked, healthy, vein.

    Debby
    How is your arm doing? When it leaked were the nurses there? I can't imagine how we get that stuff thru our veins and survive. Hope you are healing.
    I agree about a port. It best

    Hugs,
    Karen
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #7
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    See a physician ASAP
    My concern is that you may have a clot in your arm causing tenderness? Please don't assume your pain is from the IV infiltration. The danger, if you have a clot, is that it may break free and travel to your lungs--a life threatening situation (pulmonary embolism).

    "What are the symptoms of DVT (blood clot)?

    DVT most commonly occurs in just one leg or one arm. Not everyone with DVT will experience symptoms, although when present, they may include:
    Swelling of the leg or arm (sometimes it occurs suddenly)
    Pain or tenderness in the leg that may only be present when standing or walking
    Feeling of increased warmth in the area of the leg or arm that is swollen or that hurts
    Redness or discoloration of the skin
    Enlargement of the superficial veins in the affected leg or arm"

    http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/blood_clots/hic_deep_vein_thrombosis_dvt.aspx
  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 86
    #8
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    thank you everyone
    Thank you..I made an appt for this Thursday. :)
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #9
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    DebbyB said:

    thank you everyone
    Thank you..I made an appt for this Thursday. :)

    I had adriamycin but did not
    I had adriamycin but did not have a port, so it is not always a "have to" The nurse sat next to me and pushed it in slowly.
  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 86
    #10
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    carkris said:

    I had adriamycin but did not
    I had adriamycin but did not have a port, so it is not always a "have to" The nurse sat next to me and pushed it in slowly.

    no port
    My dr didn't think I needed a port, since I am not having to go in for the herpicine(sp) treatment.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #11
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    DebbyB said:

    thank you everyone
    Thank you..I made an appt for this Thursday. :)

    Good luck today Debby.
    Good luck today Debby. Anxious to know what your doctor will have to say.


    Hugs!
  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 86
    #12
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    DebbyM said:

    Good luck today Debby.
    Good luck today Debby. Anxious to know what your doctor will have to say.


    Hugs!

    DebbyM
    I saw the surgeon today, who referred me back to the oncologist, who is referring me to specialist. ARG...tired of this merry-go-round.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #13
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    DebbyB said:

    DebbyM
    I saw the surgeon today, who referred me back to the oncologist, who is referring me to specialist. ARG...tired of this merry-go-round.

    I know it is frustrating,
    I know it is frustrating, but I am glad that you are seeing the specialist. I always assume every ache and pain is cancer or cancer treatment related, but many times it is not. But it is always best to check it out and not guess. Praying that it is something that is not cancer related and treatable :-)
  • DebbyB
    DebbyB Member Posts: 86
    #14
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    CypressCynthia said:

    I know it is frustrating,
    I know it is frustrating, but I am glad that you are seeing the specialist. I always assume every ache and pain is cancer or cancer treatment related, but many times it is not. But it is always best to check it out and not guess. Praying that it is something that is not cancer related and treatable :-)

    It is very frustrating.
    Well, the Dr's PA called and I have a script for an ointment waiting for me at the pharmacy. She said that it will go away at some point. Use heat, don't use the wrist and use the ointment.
  • DebbyM
    DebbyM Member Posts: 3,289 Member
    #15
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    DebbyB said:

    It is very frustrating.
    Well, the Dr's PA called and I have a script for an ointment waiting for me at the pharmacy. She said that it will go away at some point. Use heat, don't use the wrist and use the ointment.

    Hoping that it will go away
    Hoping that it will go away for you quickly Debby. Keep us posted.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #16
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    no advice never had chemo
    no advice never had chemo but just wanted you to know thinking of your and hope all is getting better..

    Denise

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