Do Veins Recover?

[DarceyK123]

MIL is having weekly Chemo via a canular into her vein.

She's been going several months now and the nurses are saying they are finding it more difficult to find a suitable vein.

Im confused, can they only use the same vein once? Do the veins not recover? If so how long does that take?

They are using alternate arms, so one arm is only used every fortnight.

Any info appreciated.

[ummmm]

Yes they do recover. I guess everyone is different. They struggled to find my veins simply because I was very dehydrated.

[dannyk13]

I have regular blood tests and have one prominent vein that is always used by the phlebotomist so I guess that they do recover.

[Pooka1950]

My OH has to have blood transfusions twice a week and what with that and blood tests in between his veins are in a bad way. It has been suggested that he has a portacath (maybe Google it?) If your MIL's treatment is long term it might be worth asking about it.

[retrocop]

No worries. The medics can always resort to a Hickman line for chemo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hickman_line

[Pooka1950]

Similar to a portacath I think Retro.

[Mamyalynne]

If MIL has been having Chemo for several months perhaps there's a reason they didn't opt for a Line in at first - I hope she soon gets through this.

[retrocop]

OK. I'll have a look at that. Hope I won't be needing cannulars of any sort in my lifetime. Had too many already.

[Sqad]

Well use and no.
If you are just having blood taken for routine tests then yes, they will recover from the trauma almost immediately. However, if they are used for medication e.g chemotherapy, then there is no guarantee that the vein will recover.

[retrocop]

Makes me feel lucky with my Chemo.Just a regime of self administered oral Capecitabine tablets for nearly a year and a monthly blood test.

[Sqad]

LOL...that should have read "Well, yes and no"..........I had just awoken for a lunchtime nap........;-)

[dannyk13]

Sqad, why did you wake up to go back to sleep again?

[Sqad]

LOL...I know danny.........my typing never was very good and it is getting worse. I have got to the stage when typing that half way through the sentence, i have forgotten what i was going to type....LOL.

[dannyk13]

Physician heal thyself. lol

[Sqad]

;-).....thanks. Footie starts in 5 mins.

[DarceyK123]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

A PICC line has been suggested but she's not keen having spoken to others who have them, one got an infection, sepsis and a weeks hospital stay.

Think she was hoping her veins would hold out/recover.

[Peter Pedant]

the old teaching is that yes the veins do recover

Hickman and PICC lines may get infected and I must say I am wasnt keen ( wasnt offered)