Terrible veins a year after finishing herceptin- will they ever get better?

I've had my port for 17 months now. I am so glad I got it for the Herceptin. My veins were really bad after only 2 rounds of docetaxol and cyclophosphamide. Now they have recovered and they have no problem getting blood out of my veins. I have another 18 months to go before I'll get it removed.

@viking1- I'm sure the doctor will give you time to consider all your options when you see them. I was given the option of having a port, in fact it was suggested that I do, but I really didn't want one. It sounds like it probably wouldn't have made much of a difference to my veins anyway.  My veins were ok until about the last few rounds of Herceptin, then they got worse and have not got any better. Hopefully you won't have to have Herceptin as it goes on for a year and I think thats probably what did the most damage.

I always tell the nurses that i have terrible veins so that they are aware and then they usually change the needle, they appreciate being told. Some get it straight away and others take a couple of goes, however, my veins have held up.

That's great news! Yes, I've had good outcomes mostly just with routine blood tests. I always try to avoid the Dr doing the job...my experience has not been favourable with them

I don't have a port, didn't want one . Some nurses are less experienced at finding a vein and take a few goes but other more experienced nurses get it first go. So far my veins have held up despite being hard to find. Two more chemo to go .

I met a lady today who is 20 years cancer free! My friend got up together as I'm a newbie. She said if I have hard to find veins I should have a port for chemo as she did. She said back 20 years ago they had to do her tests etc in her feet, as they could never find veins or if they did, they would collapse. I didn't realise  that the chemo can actually make your veins worse!  On Friday I see the surgeon for my two weeks post lumpectomy talk. He will be telling me where to from now re chemo, rad, and hormone treatment. Should I wait and see what he says, or should I be preparing chemo etc questions? I am wondering re Roxie's question if the ports nowadays are better...is it too late for her to have one?  Ergh why does cancer give you homework? Tonsils don't

Oh dear @Jenv , that doesnt sound good. Sorry to hear that - was hoping they might improve.

I have one arm option as well.  I have ropey veins and dread blood tests and of course now having chemo so its takes two or three goes to get a vein......i was diagnosed 17 years ago in 2000 and then rediagnosed with mets in 2015...veins do not improve over time!

yes I always ask for the most senior person at the pathologist but there seems to be a lot of staff so the same ones are never there. They ususally have two people trying so they both have to agree on a vein and then try. I'm just gtting so tired of it- I dread blood tests now and am strarting to get very stressed by them.

Not in any way to diminish the impact treatment can have on your veins, but there is also a wide difference in the ability of staff too. I have the same problem with only one arm option, and at least one favourite site has a lot of scarring. But some nurses are much more adept, use a fine needle and get results more effectively. I very politely declined to have one staff member at a pathology clinic do my tests any more as they took 3 or 4 attempts, which was often very uncomfortable, whereas other staff could do it first go. The staff were all very understanding. One hospital had to get anaesthetists to do it (very quickly and well) as the nurses simply didn't seem to have enough experience. The process is certainly easier now that I don't have tests regularly or often, but can still be a bit tricky. Best of luck.