I'm sorry about the clot that's been found in your PICC line Sue and can understand 

Sadly I haven't been able to find anyone with this particular issue however there are many members who have had a picc line so hopefully you will get some support and reassurance from them soon.

Our cancer nurses are just a phone call away on 0808 800 4040 if you'd like to talk things through with them as well. They're available Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5pm.

I hope the injections and the rest of your treatment go well when things get back on track.

All the best, 

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hello,

You are not alone. They picked up two blood clots in my PICC line last weekend and I am now on daily injections which will also probably continue for 6 months. My vascular nurse has said that they can remove the line if the pain gets worse but they will need to put in another one anyway as my chemo needs to be given centrally. So for some it seems a cannula isn’t an option. 

Best to trust your medical team. I know PICC lines are a massive discomfort and the blood clot situation is disconcerting, but you are in good hands. 

Hello lymphomie89

Thank you for your reply.  It is reassuring to know that i am not alone and im sorry to hear this has happened to you also.  Im meeting my oncologist next week and ill ask her how they will keep an eye on the clot, if they will scan it again in a few weeks, as ive been told its a large/extensive clot.   Have you been told how they will monitor yours? My arm is still quite swollen but has reduced by 3cm since monday.  As if we arent putting our body through enough stress without this added complication!!

Take Care

Sue xxx

Hi Sue,

I am glad that you are feeling less alone with this. I have just been told to keep taking my blood thinning injections and that my body would absord/dissolve the clots on tis own. My case might different as I had no swelling or redness, the pain simply alerted to it which then lead to the ultrasound. I was just told to monitor the pain. But I do feel a bit in the dark. Just learning to trust that my team has my best interests at heart and to have the confidence to call and ask if I am not sure about something  

Obviously raise any concerns with your doctor and keep and eye on your arm. 

I hope it gets better soon. 

Stay strong. 

Melissa

Hi Sue

I'm wondering how you got on with you blood clot. I've been diagnosed with a big one in my left arm as a result of my picc line. I'm on blood thinning injections daily for next 3 months but it's painful still. The diagnosed was 10 days ago. I keep trying to raise it to stop the pain but it was difficult to do that today. 
 

any advice?

thanks. 

I had 3 picc lines due.to infections and my.immune system they where unsure of where the infection was coming from so mine where changed.in wales and England I also am still on clotting.injection which was due.to my surgery and iron levels ect but its difficult for any phlebotomist to find veins so I would suggest u have the rest of your chemo through the picc line. also this picc line should be cleaned and.flush everyweek. 

Hello

I kept my PICC line in until the end of my chemo, so it was in for another 2 months after i developed the blood clot.  I had to inject myself twice a day to reduce the clot and i stayed on the injections for a month after finishing chemo.  I didnt have any pain in my arm, just the swelling.  Speak to your oncologist if u are still in pain, they may be able to prescribe some painkillers.  I hope you arent suffering too much from the chemo.  I finished my chemo last august and had radiotherapy in september.  I know it must feel like a rollercoaster at the moment but try to keep positive as it will soon be your last chemo and you can ring that bell loud and proud!!

Take care

Sue xxx

I had my picc removed 2 weeks ago due to it never worked since the day it went in ...4 days ago i woke up to a painful arm ..went for a scan yesterday and my arm is full of clots and now have to inject daily for 6 months :(((( got enough going on worh chemo and radiotherapy without this xxx

I am on second line chemo - no problems at all with my first line which was in for 6 months. Second line put in last week and yesterday my arm felt really sore, not swollen but just didn't feel right. Was checked at hospital and ultrasound revealed blood clots. Now have to inject every day for the duration of treatment. Was told it was quite common but like u need to find out how they check everything is ok. 

Sorry that you have to go through this.  Is clot out ?  Great thing if it works.  I had mine since Feb. I'm admitted as poorly. Nurse pushed the flush too hard. Broke pic line then left overnight.  Took it out but since then it hurts. Hard. Shooting pains.  Was going home but the guy who did pic line as going home came to c me. He thinks it's a clot. So waiting a scan still admitted x. Get well soon. Bad enough having cancer then the Covid around let alone complication after complication. X