First ABVD treatment and throbbing pain in left ARM.

Bill_NC

I am having a throbbing pain in my left arm (not Hand). My arm feels warm and the pain comes and ago, it's almost sever to the point I forgot all my symptoms. Does anyone have this kind pain?

allmost60

Sorry!

Hi Bill,

 I had a different type of chemo than you, so I'm not able to say if your arm pain is connected to the ABVD treatment. Just wanted to let you know that I'll keep you in my prayers and hope your pain will get better soon. Hang in there friend.

Best wishes...Sue  (FNHL-2-3A-6/10-age62)

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

Arm Pain

Bill,

Do you have an IV port ? Two of the drugs in abvd can cause blistering if spilled (as from a cath in your arm), but that would have been an immediate response, not something delayed for days.  I actually have never heard of what you describe with any form of chemo.  The obvious thing to do is get a call in to the doctor.

max

Bill_NC

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Arm Pain

Bill,

Do you have an IV port ? Two of the drugs in abvd can cause blistering if spilled (as from a cath in your arm), but that would have been an immediate response, not something delayed for days.  I actually have never heard of what you describe with any form of chemo.  The obvious thing to do is get a call in to the doctor.

max

Slow Dripping IV

The pain due to D part of the treatment , it seems it was dripping so fast, it should be set to slow dripping to minimize the arm pain. I do not have port and I am not thinking of getting one. I will ask the nurse to slow down the IV dripping for my next treatment. 

cathyp

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Arm Pain

Bill,

Do you have an IV port ? Two of the drugs in abvd can cause blistering if spilled (as from a cath in your arm), but that would have been an immediate response, not something delayed for days.  I actually have never heard of what you describe with any form of chemo.  The obvious thing to do is get a call in to the doctor.

max

My first ABVD was through an

My first ABVD was through an IV in my left hand.  I could not do any more tx like this because the Adriamycin (Doxorubicin)   caused severe pain in my left arm.  After that I had a port put in and I had no problems. 

Hopefully you have called your doctor by now and have some answers and a plan!

Cathy

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

Bill_NC said:

Slow Dripping IV

The pain due to D part of the treatment , it seems it was dripping so fast, it should be set to slow dripping to minimize the arm pain. I do not have port and I am not thinking of getting one. I will ask the nurse to slow down the IV dripping for my next treatment. 

Port

Bill,

I hope the slower drip works to eliminate your pain, but I would never consider long-term infusions without a port.  A port has no "negatives" -- they just make infusions so much easiers ! (As well as blood draws, etc.)  It is a fast, easy, and nearly risk-free installation.

max

anliperez915

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

Port

Bill,

I hope the slower drip works to eliminate your pain, but I would never consider long-term infusions without a port.  A port has no "negatives" -- they just make infusions so much easiers ! (As well as blood draws, etc.)  It is a fast, easy, and nearly risk-free installation.

max

Hi Max

Hi Max,

My Onc didn't even consider giving me the option of getting a port, I guess because Rituxan isn't considered to be chemo. I don't know if Bill was given the option either, I would have taken the port option just because my vains have been abused for too many years of blood work and medical treatments (Not illegal drugs) lol! Take care and hope you're doing well!

Sincerely,

Liz

Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3

anliperez915 said:

Hi Max

Hi Max,

My Onc didn't even consider giving me the option of getting a port, I guess because Rituxan isn't considered to be chemo. I don't know if Bill was given the option either, I would have taken the port option just because my vains have been abused for too many years of blood work and medical treatments (Not illegal drugs) lol! Take care and hope you're doing well!

Sincerely,

Liz

Port, II

Liz,

Some people are against getting a port for a variety of reasons. Actually, my doc just told me to get the port installation scheduled -- he did not ask if I wanted it or not, the opposite of your experience.  Of course, it was still not "manditory."   One objection is money, but the cost of getting a port, compared to what long term chemo costs, is virtually nothing.   Rituxan is "sort of" chemo, although it works in a very different manner, and some people just get it every month or so over a long period of time (sometimes years).   In a case like that, I can understand not getting a port.   I received rituxan and abvd ("r-abvd") every two weeks, for six months.  Each infusion took around 8 hours, and the medicines are very strong and caustic.  Plus, I have small veins which are very hard to tap, so a port was absolutly a blessing for me.  For people on harsh combination therapy long term, I cannot imagine not getting a port. For short term treatment, or just rituxan, I might not get a port myself.  I have been "clean" about 4 years now.  My biggest problem at the moment is a severe cold !

ThisisLife

ABVD - Port/PICC

Hi,

I did 6 cycles of ABVD.  I did some research before treatment started and knew that I wanted a port or PICC line before I got started.  I too, have small veins.  They said that there was at least a 3 - 4 week wait to get a port installed (surgery) over a PICC line (out patient).  When the nurse went to install the line, he was surprised at how small my veins were and had to use a line that they use for children.  I have to say, I can't imagine going through treatment without a device like the port or pick.  Your vein is effectively insulated until you get to the large chamber where the chemicals are very much diluted and you don't feel the effects.  Being in Canada, I didn't have to worry about the cost, but if you can afford to have something put in, by all means do so!!!  I guarantee that it will make your treatments soooo much more comfortable.  I honestly did not feel any of my drugs, no bad tastes in my mouth, no pain and they could run the "D" part through in an hour, rather than 2 or 3.