[Dean UK]

Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by Dean UK on Tue Nov 08, 2016 8:45 pm

Hi,

I had my Hickman line fitted today and was sent home with it. Once I got home from my hospital in London, it started to bleed. So I ended up at my local hospital in the accident & emergency (A&E) department. Touch wood the problem seems solved now, but I feel really sore with it. I can't move my neck, put a coat on, etc. It feels rough.

Is this normal? I was told to take a pain killer, but was not expecting how sore I am. As the nurses said it's a straightforward procedure, maybe it's just me?

Regards,
Dean

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by Nancy Shamanna on Wed Nov 09, 2016 9:56 am

Hi Dean,

Putting in the Hickman line is a minor surgical procedure, so it has to heal up now. Hopefully that will occur soon, but if you think that there are signs of infection, return to the transplant unit. I remember it as being sort of uncomfortable, but I had one in for several months, and it was used for infusions of chemo plus hydration, and also for blood draws. At least I did not need to have blood draws done by needles at that time.

Best wishes for your transplant.

[Mike F]

Re: Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by Mike F on Wed Nov 09, 2016 12:21 pm

Mine was not very bothersome when it was inserted, but as Nancy said, it takes a surgical procedure to get it placed. I would think that it will feel better in a day or two if there is no infection.

[Dean UK]

Re: Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by Dean UK on Wed Nov 09, 2016 5:36 pm

Thank you, Nancy and Mike.

I thought something was not right. In the end, it was a stitch that came loose and was rubbing. All sorted out at the hospital today. I just need to get more tough. Thanks again.

Regards,
Dean

[Janet1520]

Re: Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by Janet1520 on Thu Nov 10, 2016 12:33 am

My Hickman catheter was only in for a week and it was extremely painful the entire 7 days. I, too, couldn't really move my neck and it was painful when the bra came off! Once my stem cells were collected, I couldn't wait to get it removed!

[Dean UK]

Re: Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by Dean UK on Thu Nov 10, 2016 7:44 am

Yes, Janet, to be honest, I'm having a rough time with it. I was hoping things would improve. I didn't have this fitted for my harvest, They took my stem cells out from my arms. This line had been fitted for my stem cell transplant and I had been sent home with it.

I can't drive, can't sleep, etc. Very annoying . Doctor can't understand why I'm still in this amount of pain. They did an x-ray, etc, to double check. All seems ok. But the pain is getting worse. I'm getting to the point that I want it taken out. Can't do the stem cell transplant feeling like this.

Thanks, Dean.

[lys2012]

Re: Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by lys2012 on Thu Nov 10, 2016 1:13 pm

Once the stitches were taken out (after about a week) and it healed a bit so that I could take a shower then put a dry dressing on it, it was better. I would suggest letting your body heal a bit. Then it should be a bit more comfortable.

Also, I had a reaction to the plastic tape and dressing. Once we switched to plain gauze and paper tape the skin healed up and it was less irritated.

[Dean UK]

Re: Hickman line - bleeding and soreness

by Dean UK on Fri Nov 11, 2016 10:21 am

Alyssa,

Thanks for your advice. All been a great help.

Regards,
Dean