Sausage fingers from IVs

moni67
moni67 Member Posts: 5
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I just got a break from chemo (taxotere) about a month ago. I was on it for 7 months for bone mets from bc. This is my third time going through chemo so I'm able to deal with it, but my middle and ring fingers are swollen like little sausages. My doc says it's from IVs since we can only use one side as I've had lymphs removed from my other side. Anyone out there with the same problem? Any advice would be appreciated. Doc said let's just keep an eye on it for now. He recommended a compression glove.

Be well and cancer survivors are always in my prayers,

Monica

Comments

  • Susan956
    Susan956 Member Posts: 510
    #2
    Have you considered getting a portacath. It really made my treatments much easier. Since I was set up to have about 56 treatments from the beginning and my Doctor didn't think that my small veins would manage all of the IV's without the portacath. The surgery to put in the portacath is outpatient and although it is uncomfortable for about a week, I think for me it was much more comfortable that trying to get an IV in each week.

    It also makes it where when you get the Chemo you can use your hands. Which helped me distract myself... Easier to read etc.

    Take Care... God Bless...

    Susan
  • krkath
    krkath Member Posts: 72
    #3
    Hi Moni,
    I also had a portacath in and it got infected so they had to take it out right after my last chemo. I also was on Taxotere combined with A/C.
    I'm at 7 months recovery and the side effects from the Taxotere has really bothered my legs. Nerve pain from what info I've gotten.
    I used to like to wear rings but both hands (which don't bother me near as much as my legs) always feel fat and it hurts to wear my rings.
    Even though I had the portacath, I've only had the one time of 6 treatments every 21 days and it's still hard for them to find a vein to take blood.
    The only thing that I do when they really bother me is to run hot/warm water over my hands. I use the Capsaicin (Hot Chili Pepper Cream) on my joints and legs but you have to be so careful even after I put it on with gloves. Like if I touch a spot in my sleep and the next morning go to put my contacts in. OUCH!
    Hang in there and when I see my Physical Therapist I'll see what she recommends. Maybe that TENS machine with the little electric impulses on your fingers would help.
    Hugs and Good Luck
    Kathy
  • tlmac
    tlmac Member Posts: 272 Member
    #4
    Hi Monica, I went through chemo March-May of 2003. At that time, I only had 4 A/C so I chose to use the vein(s) in my good arm instead of going through the surgical procedure of a portacath. The chemo went OK but I continued to have terrible pain and swelling in that arm for months after finishing. To this day, blood draws usually have to come from the back of my good hand, below the veins they used for chemo, because the upper veins are hard like rocks. Like Kathy, I soak in a hot tub whenever I ache and I find it relaxing and soothing. I'm surprised your doctor didn't suggest a port from the beginning, as an option. My oncologist asked before I ever started chemo if I wanted one. Rather than suffering with this any more than you have to, ask your oncologist if the swelling is from the repeated use of the same arm for so many cycles of chemo or from the drugs they are giving you. Maybe it's time to consider a port. They aren't perfect for everyone but they seem to make chemo much easier for those on extended cycles. Best of luck.
    terri
  • moni67
    moni67 Member Posts: 5
    #5
    Thank you all so much for your advice and responses. Guess what? The swelling went down. I can wear my wedding ring again. I don't know what helped-maybe exercise. I try to go to the gym as often as I can.

    And yes, a port has been suggetsted by my doctor as well as the infusion nurses for the future. I have the luck (or not) of having fabulous veins. They have survived through years of chemo. Hopefully, I won't have to go back on chemo for a long, long time.

    I hope you are all well and have a great week.

    Monica

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