Hard corded veins

chrisy · 08-09-2006, 10:04 PM

Chelee and other ladies,
I've seen several posts in other threads describing "hard corded veins". I don't know for sure what you are describing, but it might have been this:
I developed phlebitis (blood clot) in my vein just below the infusion point on my first 2 chemo sessions with TCH. It felt hard, about 1-2 inches in length and I could "move" it by pressing on the vein. It was also painful.
It was pretty clear I couldn't keep going at that rate (with about 20+ more infusions ahead of me!) as I would run out of veins halfway through my treatment!
My oncologist had them run a big bag of saline along with the infusions and did a heparin flush between each chemo, the idea of both of these was to prevent the blood clots. It worked great - the only problem was with all that fluid, I usually had to get up at least 3 times each session to go to the bathroom! I got really good at rolling that pole down the hall...I am the champion IV pole racer in the office now.

Just a thought...
Chris

Chelee · 08-09-2006, 11:36 PM

Christy, This really is interesting to me. I am not sure what the hard corded vein like things are? But I would love to know for sure what they are now that its been brought up. I had never heard anyone else experience this until Jean posted about it.

I don't think mine is phlebitis? But I wouldn't swear on anything at this point. Mine is exactly like you said in lenght though. About a inch & a half. Now neither of mine hurt at all. You said yours was painful. I had no pain in mine...thats what made me really curious about it. It is just a hard looking vein that appears out of no where. I can't move mine either.

The two I did find were both at the bend of my arm on each side. One right under my port as you mentioned. But I do get my port flushed oftened. I do weekly herceptin and my infusion nurse is great and flushes it really well.

I wonder how many other women have seen these corded veins in their arms or other places on their body? I know when I see my onc doc and my infusion nurse I am going to start asking all of them about this.

Chelee