Painful lump in vein used for IV

MrsMB2
MrsMB2 Member Posts: 8
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
I was wondering if anyone had a lump developed in their veins. I had surgery almost 3 weeks ago and I have this painful lump a few inches up from were the IV was placed. I think it has actually been moving upward in my arm. Can this be dangerous?

Comments

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    #2
    painful lump
    Dangerous? Well, it depends.

    Sometimes the medication they use is just tough on the veins - sometimes they don't use the right size "needle" and damage is done.

    And, sometimes, a blood clot forms but we don't usually see those. They are sneaky, insidious little things that may or may not cause pain.

    My mom used to get these lumps when they would say they "blew a vein" and it would be forever more unusable.

    Nothing is worth worrying about when you can call your doctor and go in for a look see. That's what I would do, Mrs. MB2.
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #3
    Noellesmom said:

    painful lump
    Dangerous? Well, it depends.

    Sometimes the medication they use is just tough on the veins - sometimes they don't use the right size "needle" and damage is done.

    And, sometimes, a blood clot forms but we don't usually see those. They are sneaky, insidious little things that may or may not cause pain.

    My mom used to get these lumps when they would say they "blew a vein" and it would be forever more unusable.

    Nothing is worth worrying about when you can call your doctor and go in for a look see. That's what I would do, Mrs. MB2.

    Hi Mrs MB

    It does not sound dangerous to me but if you any concerns about it call your doctor and talk to one of the nurses there.

    Wishing you well
    Hondo
  • Misty35
    Misty35 Member Posts: 24
    #4
    Hondo said:

    Hi Mrs MB

    It does not sound dangerous to me but if you any concerns about it call your doctor and talk to one of the nurses there.

    Wishing you well
    Hondo

    This happened with Neil's
    This happened with Neil's last chemo session, the Dr. told him it was a clot, but would go away...but it did cause him some discomfort
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #5
    Similar experience
    Hi Mrs. MB2,
    I had a similar experience where the contrast from a PET/CT was injected into a vein already hinky from Cisplatin. Hurt like hell and then clotted up and locked my arm into a 90 degree bend for about a week. My doc had me giving myself Lovenox injections for a couple weeks as a precaution against the clot going to my lungs. It did break it up fast and I had no further complications though I had a few more clots from additional Cisplatin treatments. Have you talked to your doc about this? A CT scan of the area would be appropriate.

    Bob
  • adventurebob
    adventurebob Member Posts: 691
    #6
    Similar experience
    Hi Mrs. MB2,
    I had a similar experience where the contrast from a PET/CT was injected into a vein already hinky from Cisplatin. Hurt like hell and then clotted up and locked my arm into a 90 degree bend for about a week. My doc had me giving myself Lovenox injections for a couple weeks as a precaution against the clot going to my lungs. It did break it up fast and I had no further complications though I had a few more clots from additional Cisplatin treatments. Have you talked to your doc about this? A CT scan of the area would be appropriate.

    Bob
  • MrsMB2
    MrsMB2 Member Posts: 8
    #7
    adventurebob said:

    Similar experience
    Hi Mrs. MB2,
    I had a similar experience where the contrast from a PET/CT was injected into a vein already hinky from Cisplatin. Hurt like hell and then clotted up and locked my arm into a 90 degree bend for about a week. My doc had me giving myself Lovenox injections for a couple weeks as a precaution against the clot going to my lungs. It did break it up fast and I had no further complications though I had a few more clots from additional Cisplatin treatments. Have you talked to your doc about this? A CT scan of the area would be appropriate.

    Bob

    It's OK
    Well, I was somewhat concerned, so I made an appointment with my family doctor. He thought it was phebitis but scheduled a sonogram to rule out a clot, which was my main concern since I will be flying this coming weekend. I had the sonogram and indeed it was a clot but he said it was superficial so no need to worry. Not so bad news after all....
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    #8
    MrsMB2 said:

    It's OK
    Well, I was somewhat concerned, so I made an appointment with my family doctor. He thought it was phebitis but scheduled a sonogram to rule out a clot, which was my main concern since I will be flying this coming weekend. I had the sonogram and indeed it was a clot but he said it was superficial so no need to worry. Not so bad news after all....

    Good news
    Glad that it was nothing, now you can rest a little and not worry.

    Take care
    Hondo

Discussion Boards