Forum Discussion
Thrombophlebitis, swelling and fever
hello
I have finished three EC cycles (day 15) fine for first week, but now i have been in hospital for 8 full days, have huge red swelling of the lower arm, high fever every couple of days, tried three IV antibiotics, had two ultrasounds (no pocket of pus anywhere just oedema fluids), and now permanent vein damage. Thrombophlebitis is the diagnosis with surrounding cellulitis but they finally stopped the antibiotics after 1 week as the swab actually showed no infection and perhaps as Dr oncologist said I was getting drug fever (already allergic to penicillin), haven't had fever since they stopped, daily blood thinning injection, cannot straighten my arm at all, it's bent. Oncologist asked surgeon who wants to open it up and have a look, I don't think so, doesn't seem to be treatment elsewhere?? Oncologist at a loss what to do with me, shakes her head. I have now read online I now think this is rare side effect of EC? Yes there was a failed cannula IV attempt for chemo post cycle 1 in this spot which is what we have focused on, mistake I now think.
I think it will take weeks - months before it heals? Anyone else with similar experience? I read about a cream on the U.K. Site. Help want to go home but scared too.
Love to you all Monica
I have finished three EC cycles (day 15) fine for first week, but now i have been in hospital for 8 full days, have huge red swelling of the lower arm, high fever every couple of days, tried three IV antibiotics, had two ultrasounds (no pocket of pus anywhere just oedema fluids), and now permanent vein damage. Thrombophlebitis is the diagnosis with surrounding cellulitis but they finally stopped the antibiotics after 1 week as the swab actually showed no infection and perhaps as Dr oncologist said I was getting drug fever (already allergic to penicillin), haven't had fever since they stopped, daily blood thinning injection, cannot straighten my arm at all, it's bent. Oncologist asked surgeon who wants to open it up and have a look, I don't think so, doesn't seem to be treatment elsewhere?? Oncologist at a loss what to do with me, shakes her head. I have now read online I now think this is rare side effect of EC? Yes there was a failed cannula IV attempt for chemo post cycle 1 in this spot which is what we have focused on, mistake I now think.
I think it will take weeks - months before it heals? Anyone else with similar experience? I read about a cream on the U.K. Site. Help want to go home but scared too.
Love to you all Monica
11 Replies
- Oh Monica @Monicasfootsteps so very sorry to hear about your mums passing it must have been a hard last couple of years. :'( Your puppy on the other hand sounds wonderful and a real tonic and how brilliant is the breeder to bring two puppies to let you pick. What have you named it?? My niece had an Aussie terrier called shaggy, he was a little dog but with a legendary personality. Hope your doing OK. Xx
- HI Monica,
Sorry to hear about your Mum. Hope you are out of hospital by now. I had phlebitis (they listed it as thrombophlebitis but no fever just swelling, pain and lumpy veins.It was also very itchy. I applied arnica cream and applied a light stretch bandage to stop me scratching and to protect. GP recommended I apply voltaren gel, which I never got around to as the other was working. That was 2nd last chemo and on last one I developed a phlebitis again ( I can only use one arm due to lymph node removal). I applied arnica cream etc again with success then after carrying shopping bags on affected arm the swelling recurred. Ill be seeing oncologist Thursday. Ill let you know if he can recommend anything else. That puppy will be much loved.
Best wishes to you
Sue P That's a great loss, Monica. It's so very hard when you can't do what your heart and tradition says you should. On top of the business with your arm, you must be so upset. Life isn't very fair, but I guess we all know that.
Dogs are great motivators, I have the choice of either getting up in the morning and taking Rosie for a walk or giving in and letting her on the bed. There is no peace until I do one or the other. She's a substantial greyhound with legs like crowbars-- just right for levering me out of the way so she can claim more space. She also has a tendency to fart in protest if I push back--all up it's easier to get out and walk us both. I always feel better for it. Once I've stopped hobbling and muttering....
- So sorry to hear of the loss of your mum @Monicasfootsteps, you've certainly had a difficult time. Wonderful to welcome a new puppy, I'm sure she will bring a lot of love with her! sending a hug, Jane xx
- Puppy is great medicine. Sorry about your Mum. She would understand though so don't beat yourself up about not being able to fly over. I got aloe vera 100% gel and healed my hand. It seemed to get worse before it turned around and got better quite quickly. That small vein no longer exists in my hand. I guess my body shut it down as it was a side branch one and not vital.
- Oh so sad for you on your Mum and your arm. Puppy therapy and walking is just what you need.
- Hi
@Brenda5 @socoda @Zoffiel @primek
Got home after nine days in hospital, vein collapsed and will never recover, but oncologist, physio and nurses said it looked like a chemo (Epirubicin) burn leak. But six days after chemo? perhaps it got trapped as vein was already sticking together.
Its healing, but will take up to six weeks they said. Oncologist talks about plastic surgery at hospital expense, having physio (which I have asked them to pay for). Arm cannot be straightened, but working on it.
then last Sunday my mother 83 yrs, passed away in Stockholm, where I'm originally from, and of course I'm in no state to travel. Very, very sad, surreal. Mum battled coronary disease, bypass at 60, then also developed diabetes, vascular dementia and lately Alzheimer's. sad last 10 years. She was admitted to hospital Sunday and died Sunday.
On Sunday, only hours before Mum died a new puppy Aussie terrier joined our household, planned for months (last couple of yrs actually). Breeder kindly brought her down from Melbourne. She knew I was recently out of hospita so brought two down to chose from.
so physiotherapy and puppy therapy and lots of walking
My mum was a dog lover too
pic line and first Taxol Tuesday (other left arm risk of lymphoedema all lymphs gone, collapsed vein in right). Glad no more EC
love
monica - I had a rupture during chemo in my hand when the nurse switched out the faster saline to the second lot of chemo meds and forgot to decrease the rate. OMG it hurt and I yelled F me! She smiled and said did that hurt dear, all the while she was tap tapping the rate down. Then she gave me some bullsh.. story about how sometimes a clot forms in the tubing between meds. The result was like a chemical burn to my skin on the back of my hand which took weeks to heal. They didn't seem to want to discuss it at the next appointment but it was almost healed by then.
- Hey @Monicasfootsteps how are you doing now? Hoping your on the mend and out of hospital. Big hug Xx Cath
- That's a horrible thing to have happen, Monica. A few of us have suffered vein damage, myself included, which is why I insisted on a portacath when I had recurrence and had to have more chemo this year.
Veins can be tricky things, they don't seem to heal and recover the same as other injuries. Mine havent recovered in ten years, though that is only a problem now of someone tries to access them. From memory, the pain and inflammation I had died down after about a month. I'm not surprised you are worried, not knowing what is going on or why is really stressful.
Good luck, Marg
