DVT in Picc line vein

Bjc57

Well another unpleasant surprise. I found out yesterday that I have developed a DVT in the vein that my Picc line is in. This has completely unnerved me and I'm now on Lovenox injections twice a day and am scheduled to have the line removed tomorrow. I am uncomfortable with this procedure being done in the outpatient infusion clinic where it was put in, but at least it IS in a hospital setting. Has anyone else experienced this?

After doing some reading (of course I would!), I found that this is not a terribly uncommon complication of Picc lines. Wish I had known that then and opted for a mediport, but I wasn't really given that option. At the time it made sense because a mediport requires an OR visit to place and to remove, whereas a Picc line can be put in by trained infusion nurses in an outpatient setting using ultrasound with no anesthesia required.

So if anyone is still making a decision between a Picc line and a port, I would now say go for the port! 

Becky

mp327

Becky

I'm sorry to hear this has happened to you.  Obviously, it can lead to something very serious.  I know a lot of people have PICC lines with no complications, others have ports with complications, so perhaps there is no easy answer as to which one is best.  I had a port and it worked flawlessly.  I hope the PICC removal goes smoothly and that you have no further complications.

Martha

nicotianna

Picc

I had 2 PICcs placed in the outpatient OR w/o complications.  A MD did 1 & a PA did the other w/o complications.

Nic

Bjc57

nicotianna said:

Picc

I had 2 PICcs placed in the outpatient OR w/o complications.  A MD did 1 & a PA did the other w/o complications.

Nic

Just "lucky" I guess!

Thanks for your kind words. I'm just part of that low percentage, I guess. It worked fine through my first round of chemo but I noticed my arm starting to feel a little uncomfortable about 5 days after my 5FU pump was disconnected. I know this can be a complication of Picc lines (not so much with ports) but, as my oncologist said, it's not usually seen except in cases where the line has been in longer than a couple weeks. I was concerned about the clot breaking loose but an anesthesiologist friend and a vascular surgeon both said the chances are remote. That makes me feel a lot better! Thankfully the next Picc will only be in less than a week and since I will be on Lovenox (will be on it for 6 months!), no clot should form around that one!

Becky

eihtak

Bjc57 said:

Just "lucky" I guess!

Thanks for your kind words. I'm just part of that low percentage, I guess. It worked fine through my first round of chemo but I noticed my arm starting to feel a little uncomfortable about 5 days after my 5FU pump was disconnected. I know this can be a complication of Picc lines (not so much with ports) but, as my oncologist said, it's not usually seen except in cases where the line has been in longer than a couple weeks. I was concerned about the clot breaking loose but an anesthesiologist friend and a vascular surgeon both said the chances are remote. That makes me feel a lot better! Thankfully the next Picc will only be in less than a week and since I will be on Lovenox (will be on it for 6 months!), no clot should form around that one!

Becky

Becky....

Hi, sorry you had to add this to your "worry" list. Hopefully all will go smoothly with the next line. My husband has had a pick line several times for treatment related to a bone marrow transplant, as long as it was flushed on schedule (which I was taught to do at home) he never had a problem. I had a port for my initial treatment and kept it for 3 yrs, with never a problem. It too had to be flushed every month if not used. While I was out, with anesthesia for port placement, it was easily and painlessly removed in the in a procedure room at my surgeons office with no anesthesia. I now have a new port in the same spot for my current treatment with so far no problems.

I'm hoping your clot was a rare occurance and you will not have any more pick line concerns!

katheryn

Bjc57

eihtak said:

Becky....

Hi, sorry you had to add this to your "worry" list. Hopefully all will go smoothly with the next line. My husband has had a pick line several times for treatment related to a bone marrow transplant, as long as it was flushed on schedule (which I was taught to do at home) he never had a problem. I had a port for my initial treatment and kept it for 3 yrs, with never a problem. It too had to be flushed every month if not used. While I was out, with anesthesia for port placement, it was easily and painlessly removed in the in a procedure room at my surgeons office with no anesthesia. I now have a new port in the same spot for my current treatment with so far no problems.

I'm hoping your clot was a rare occurance and you will not have any more pick line concerns!

katheryn

Katheryn

Thank you so much for your kind words. I will be happy to have it out for a little bit--makes showering much easier! I understand the rationale for the Picc vs a port--less invasive, does not require anesthesia or OR, etc.--but if, Heaven forbid, I were to EVER need a central line again, I will be firmly "suggesting"  a port! Lol! Hopefully, with the Lovenox and only a short time in, the second Picc (in a couple weeks) will be a non-issue. I'll keep y'all posted!

Becky

clouse

Glad I saw ur post. I also

Glad I saw ur post. I also developed a blood clot from my port. The port was removed on my left side and a power port installed on the right. Putting the port on my right is very risky due to the fact I have no lymph nodes from breast cancer 13 yrs ago. The breast cancer and rectal cancer not related. Also on loveinox shots 2 times a day. Saw my Onc and was decided to remove the port and do the second round of chemo in pill form. Already finished radiation, chemo, surgery. Will be on pill chemo for 6 mos. 2 wks on one off. When I clotted my head and neck swoll up like a Mellon along with my left arm and neck. Did an angioplasty. Not a big difference with pill form and should be able to come off the shots and go back on eliquis. Just too risky with the ports. Didn't have any problems with them when I went thru breast cancer 13 yes ago. Hope this helps someone.

Love and Light

eves0411

clouse said:

Glad I saw ur post. I also

Glad I saw ur post. I also developed a blood clot from my port. The port was removed on my left side and a power port installed on the right. Putting the port on my right is very risky due to the fact I have no lymph nodes from breast cancer 13 yrs ago. The breast cancer and rectal cancer not related. Also on loveinox shots 2 times a day. Saw my Onc and was decided to remove the port and do the second round of chemo in pill form. Already finished radiation, chemo, surgery. Will be on pill chemo for 6 mos. 2 wks on one off. When I clotted my head and neck swoll up like a Mellon along with my left arm and neck. Did an angioplasty. Not a big difference with pill form and should be able to come off the shots and go back on eliquis. Just too risky with the ports. Didn't have any problems with them when I went thru breast cancer 13 yes ago. Hope this helps someone.

Love and Light

Hello!

Hello!

I am also a breast cancer survivor (14 3/4 years). Thank you so much for your post!  A PICC line was put in my right arm on a Thursday, began 5FU chemo treatment on Monday and had developed blood clots in vein PICC was in, in addition to veins surrounding On Wednesday morning. Admitted me to hospital to continue treatment via IV, putting me on Eloquis after PICC removed. Doctor now told me not sure what to do because they cannot use left arm from lymph node dissection and right arm veins are tiny. Told me my two options for next go around are:  port or five day hospital stay. I'm very scared of both and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much!

eihtak

eves0411 said:

Hello!

Hello!

I am also a breast cancer survivor (14 3/4 years). Thank you so much for your post!  A PICC line was put in my right arm on a Thursday, began 5FU chemo treatment on Monday and had developed blood clots in vein PICC was in, in addition to veins surrounding On Wednesday morning. Admitted me to hospital to continue treatment via IV, putting me on Eloquis after PICC removed. Doctor now told me not sure what to do because they cannot use left arm from lymph node dissection and right arm veins are tiny. Told me my two options for next go around are:  port or five day hospital stay. I'm very scared of both and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much!

eves0411...

Hi, 

And as we say "unfortunately" welcome, but glad you're here.

I too have been treated for breast cancer / anal cancer. Anal cancer dx was 9 years ago and breast cancer 8 years!! Theres been some bumps in the road but as for today, I'm doing great!

I never had a pick line, but my husband who is also in cancer treatment has and he had no issues, though I think its one of those things that is likely listed in the "possible" complications. Ive had my port in, out, and in again, with absolutely zero issues at all. Its so convienient even for blood draws. The surgery to put it in is pretty simple and taking it out is a breeze. Again, I suppose there are some who have discomfort or other issues with a port, but overall I say "go for the port" My husband is currently in cancer care and this time around also has a port with so far no negative effects. (He is on Eloquis for a heart related concern and I too am on Warfarin for a previous blood clot in my lung...these do not affect the use of the port btw and maybe even help to reduce any risk of further clot issues)

Good luck to you, and keep in touch to let us know how you are doing please.

katheryn 

eves0411

eihtak said:

eves0411...

Hi, 

And as we say "unfortunately" welcome, but glad you're here.

I too have been treated for breast cancer / anal cancer. Anal cancer dx was 9 years ago and breast cancer 8 years!! Theres been some bumps in the road but as for today, I'm doing great!

I never had a pick line, but my husband who is also in cancer treatment has and he had no issues, though I think its one of those things that is likely listed in the "possible" complications. Ive had my port in, out, and in again, with absolutely zero issues at all. Its so convienient even for blood draws. The surgery to put it in is pretty simple and taking it out is a breeze. Again, I suppose there are some who have discomfort or other issues with a port, but overall I say "go for the port" My husband is currently in cancer care and this time around also has a port with so far no negative effects. (He is on Eloquis for a heart related concern and I too am on Warfarin for a previous blood clot in my lung...these do not affect the use of the port btw and maybe even help to reduce any risk of further clot issues)

Good luck to you, and keep in touch to let us know how you are doing please.

katheryn 

Thank you Katheryn!  I am

Thank you Katheryn!  I am also on Eloquis due to the PICC blood clots. I hope your husband is doing well.  Thanks for your advice!  Eve

shawnmcc

I have had picc lines before

I have had picc lines before and its not anything to worry about being removed you will not feel a thing. I am wonding my self now is about my port line and if it can develop clots. I need to get it removed either way. I am not looking forward to that. They probaly will diagnose it as artery tumor or breast cancer but at least it will be gone.

PainInTheBum

I had my port removed October

I had my port removed October 16th with no problem.  Have a small scar and can feel a little lump there but not a big deal.

tanda

eves0411 said:

Hello!

Hello!

I am also a breast cancer survivor (14 3/4 years). Thank you so much for your post!  A PICC line was put in my right arm on a Thursday, began 5FU chemo treatment on Monday and had developed blood clots in vein PICC was in, in addition to veins surrounding On Wednesday morning. Admitted me to hospital to continue treatment via IV, putting me on Eloquis after PICC removed. Doctor now told me not sure what to do because they cannot use left arm from lymph node dissection and right arm veins are tiny. Told me my two options for next go around are:  port or five day hospital stay. I'm very scared of both and would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much!

eves0411

I assume that the the treatment on Monday was Mitomycin C and 5FU.  As clouse mentioned, she is receiving the rest of the 5FU in pill form (capecitabine/Xeloda)

I am a bit phobic about needles and lines,etc.  On the first day of week 1, I had one infusion which was the mitomycin C; I then continued with 5FU in pill form for the rest of the 51/2 weeks.

For some reason, I did not have Mitomycin C in the last week. There were several pills a day and were not a problem.  In fact, some research has found that the pill form of 5FU (capecitabine/Xeloda) is less toxic and as effective as the infusion.

 

You might ask your doctor if that could be an option.

 

 

shawnmcc

My port is realy old grown

My port is realy old grown into the muscle unfortunately its not simple any more. I hope it goes normaly despite that.