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