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submarine's avatar
submarine
Member
9 years ago

Arm not stretching and painful - is there anything to do?

Hello everyone,
Second post for today! 
I have had to write down a list of all the side effects so that I can tell my oncologist next time I see her (some don't last the whole two weeks), thank you for suggesting to mention all of them as I have forgotten to mention some the last couple of times.
One which worries me is that my right arm is not stretching anymore and is quite painful (of course I am right handed). During my last chemo, they had to put 2 canulas in as there must have been an issue with the first one and it started to burn when they injected the Doxorubicin. I have read it might be because my veins might have gotten damaged. Has anyone had this problem? Is there anything I can do? How long will it last? Any info would be wonderful.
Marine xo

4 Replies

  • submarine's avatar
    submarine
    Member
    9 years ago
    Thank you for this information, I will talk to my oncologist tomorrow, and see what is next. Hopefully it is temporary and won't happen again.
  • primek's avatar
    primek
    Member
    9 years ago
    I had issues  on my lymph removal  side and I had a portacath. It was  cording. Get a referral to a lymphatic physio ...they may help. I had laser after chemo finished and all went. Keep up the stretching exercises though...really helps.
  • Tracey62's avatar
    Tracey62
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi Marine, ouch! I feel for you. The sting is chemo leaking from the first cannulation attempt into the surrounding tissues. Try ice packs to relieve the pain and gentle stretches to keep mobility in that arm. Unfortunately the chemo can cause tissue necrosis, it's important to tell your team about it. This happened my first 3 rounds of chemo, then I had a PICC line placed and no more problems.Does take a couple of weeks for the damaged tissue to recover. Hope the rest of your treatment goes well, hang in there, it's only a few short months with many good years to come after xXx
  • SoldierCrab's avatar
    SoldierCrab
    Member
    9 years ago
    Hi Marine, 
    They often suggest a port or a pica line..... I had a pica line it means you dont have a needle going in every time.