anybody ever had a vein in the mastectomy arm knot up?

mollyz
mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
mastectomy arm had a pulling sensation in it ever since it turned cold so i saw a lymphedema therapist and in January I'll start physical therapy no swelling or anything just want to get started learning how to take care of it to avoid lymphedema,but the therapist told me to keep it massaged and to rub it from elbow to pits to keep the lymph fluid flowing anyway in the bend of my arm i was rubbing a vein that was pulling tight well it popped like a snapping bean and then a little knot popped up,while i was getting chemo i saw the Dr. and he sent me to get an ultrasound and the Dr. that read my ultra called my oncologist and told him it wasn't a blood clot and told them to tell me so i wouldn't worry but would explain next week when i come in to have blood work. any body experienced it? Molly Z

Comments

  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
    #2
    No knots but
    had numerouse ones that were hard and really stood up. Took them a little over a month to go back to normal. I too had an ultrasound and showed no clots. I made the mistake of waiting a few months before insisting I see a lymph specialist and by then I did have lymphdemia.
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #3
    Phlebitis?
    My doc had said no infusions in my affected arm but I could have blood draws. First blood draw that I had resulted in a knotty, painful vein (phlebitis is the technical term) that took about a month to go away. Phlebitis literally means inflammation of the vein.

    I am sending you the link, but please do not assume that your case is phlebitis and treat at home until ok'd by your doctor.

    Phlebitis

    Here are symptoms and causes of phlebitis:

    What are the symptoms of phlebitis?

    Phlebitis, if mild, may or may not cause symptoms. Pain, tenderness, redness (erythema), and bulging of the vein are common symptoms of phlebitis. The redness and tenderness may follow the course of the vein under the skin.

    Low grade fever may accompany superficial and deep phlebitis. High fever or drainage of pus from the site of thrombophlebitis may suggest an infection of the thrombophlebitis (referred to as septic thrombophlebitis).

    Palpable cords along the course of the vein may be a sign of a superficial clot or superficial thrombophlebitis.

    A deep venous thrombosis may present as redness and swelling of the involved limb with pain and tenderness. In the leg, this can cause difficulty walking.


    What causes phlebitis?

    Phlebitis has many causes. Some of the common causes of phlebitis are:

    •local trauma or injury to the vein


    •prolonged inactivity, such as, long driving or plane rides


    •insertion of intravenous catheters (IV) in hospitals, or IV induced phlebitis


    •period after a surgery (post-operative period), especially orthopedic procedures


    •prolonged immobility, as in hospitalized or bed-ridden patients


    •varicose veins


    •underlying cancers or clotting disorders


    •disruption of normal venous system drainage because of removal of lymph nodes, for example, after mastectomy for breast cancer


    •intravenous drug use


    •patients with burns
  • mollyz
    mollyz Member Posts: 756 Member
    #4
    CypressCynthia said:

    Phlebitis?
    My doc had said no infusions in my affected arm but I could have blood draws. First blood draw that I had resulted in a knotty, painful vein (phlebitis is the technical term) that took about a month to go away. Phlebitis literally means inflammation of the vein.

    I am sending you the link, but please do not assume that your case is phlebitis and treat at home until ok'd by your doctor.

    Phlebitis

    Here are symptoms and causes of phlebitis:

    What are the symptoms of phlebitis?

    Phlebitis, if mild, may or may not cause symptoms. Pain, tenderness, redness (erythema), and bulging of the vein are common symptoms of phlebitis. The redness and tenderness may follow the course of the vein under the skin.

    Low grade fever may accompany superficial and deep phlebitis. High fever or drainage of pus from the site of thrombophlebitis may suggest an infection of the thrombophlebitis (referred to as septic thrombophlebitis).

    Palpable cords along the course of the vein may be a sign of a superficial clot or superficial thrombophlebitis.

    A deep venous thrombosis may present as redness and swelling of the involved limb with pain and tenderness. In the leg, this can cause difficulty walking.


    What causes phlebitis?

    Phlebitis has many causes. Some of the common causes of phlebitis are:

    •local trauma or injury to the vein


    •prolonged inactivity, such as, long driving or plane rides


    •insertion of intravenous catheters (IV) in hospitals, or IV induced phlebitis


    •period after a surgery (post-operative period), especially orthopedic procedures


    •prolonged immobility, as in hospitalized or bed-ridden patients


    •varicose veins


    •underlying cancers or clotting disorders


    •disruption of normal venous system drainage because of removal of lymph nodes, for example, after mastectomy for breast cancer


    •intravenous drug use


    •patients with burns

    @sweetvickid,thanks for the
    @sweetvickid,thanks for the info @Cypresscynthia I never had a stick in the mastectomy arm i was told not to,it's not hurting it actually feels better.i think I'll go with #8 disruption of normal venous system.it's not swollen or red normal temp.thanks for the info again will let you know what the Dr. says thursday as long as i know it's not a clot im ok. MollyZ

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