IV Port on Arm vs. Chest?

[2roses]

<P>My 18yo daughter w/CF finally decided to get a port after multiple hospitalizations and PICC placements, especially the last 2 years. She's already an inpatient for an exacerbation and is in good shape now, so they are planning on doing the surgery soon. The thing is that she does NOT want the port in her chest, but a smaller port in the arm. Does anyone have any experience with a port in the arm vs. the chest? What's better, lower arm or upper arm? Any limit in mobility with either? What's the appearance like after healing (how prominent is the bump)? How easy/difficult is it to access this type of port?  She was supposed to get the port in today, but surgery didn't have the smaller port/cath here at the hospital (they pretty much only do the chest ones). We have some more time now to get these questions answered. Would love your feedback ... always helpful!</P>
<P> </P>
<P>Thanks so much,</P>
<P>Sherri</P>
<P>-----------------</P>
<P>Mother of 2 daughters, both w/CF, 13 and 18</P>

 

[2roses]

<P>My 18yo daughter w/CF finally decidedto get a port after multiple hospitalizations and PICC placements, especiallythe last 2 years. She's already an inpatient for an exacerbation and is in good shape now, so they are planning on doing the surgery soon. The thing is that she does NOT want the port in her chest, but a smaller port in the arm. Does anyone have any experience with a port in the arm vs. the chest? What's better, lower arm or upper arm? Any limit in mobility with either? What's the appearance like after healing (how prominent is the bump)? How easy/difficult is it to access this type of port? She was supposed to get the port in today, but surgery didn'thave the smaller port/cath here at the hospital (they pretty much only do the chest ones). We have some more time now to get these questions answered. Would love your feedback ... always helpful!</P>
<P></P>
<P>Thanks so much,</P>
<P>Sherri</P>
<P>-----------------</P>
<P>Mother of 2 daughters, both w/CF, 13 and 18</P>

 

[2roses]

<P>My 18yo daughter w/CF finally decidedto get a port after multiple hospitalizations and PICC placements, especiallythe last 2 years. She's already an inpatient for an exacerbation and is in good shape now, so they are planning on doing the surgery soon. The thing is that she does NOT want the port in her chest, but a smaller port in the arm. Does anyone have any experience with a port in the arm vs. the chest? What's better, lower arm or upper arm? Any limit in mobility with either? What's the appearance like after healing (how prominent is the bump)? How easy/difficult is it to access this type of port? She was supposed to get the port in today, but surgery didn'thave the smaller port/cath here at the hospital (they pretty much only do the chest ones). We have some more time now to get these questions answered. Would love your feedback ... always helpful!</P>
<P></P>
<P>Thanks so much,</P>
<P>Sherri</P>
<P>-----------------</P>
<P>Mother of 2 daughters, both w/CF, 13 and 18</P><BR>

 

[tatmagic]

I was the same way I did not want it in my chest either I have had a port in my arm for 2 years now and it is miserable. You have to be careful not to lean too hard on it, and it is not comfortable to lay on that side for too long. It hurts when people grab or hit it not knowing its there. My friend from high school has one in his chest and has never complained i wish i had gone for the chest one.
<br>Nick
<br>

 

[tatmagic]

I was the same way I did not want it in my chest either I have had a port in my arm for 2 years now and it is miserable. You have to be careful not to lean too hard on it, and it is not comfortable to lay on that side for too long. It hurts when people grab or hit it not knowing its there. My friend from high school has one in his chest and has never complained i wish i had gone for the chest one.
<br>Nick
<br>

 

[tatmagic]

I was the same way I did not want it in my chest either I have had a port in my arm for 2 years now and it is miserable. You have to be careful not to lean too hard on it, and it is not comfortable to lay on that side for too long. It hurts when people grab or hit it not knowing its there. My friend from high school has one in his chest and has never complained i wish i had gone for the chest one.
<br>Nick
<br>

 

[2roses]

Nick,
Thanks for your response. I'm so sorry it's been miserable ... it sounds it! Where in your arm is the port, if you don't mind me asking? I've heard about a forearm placement and an upper arm placement just above the elbow crease. I can see where both might be uncomfortable. My daughter is also very petite, 4'10" which may also be an issue with comfort (thin arms). Any thoughts?

Sherri

 

[2roses]

Nick,
Thanks for your response. I'm so sorry it's been miserable ... it sounds it! Where in your arm is the port, if you don't mind me asking? I've heard about a forearm placement and an upper arm placement just above the elbow crease. I can see where both might be uncomfortable. My daughter is also very petite, 4'10" which may also be an issue with comfort (thin arms). Any thoughts?

Sherri

 

[2roses]

Nick,
<br />Thanks for your response. I'm so sorry it's been miserable ... it sounds it! Where in your arm is the port, if you don't mind me asking? I've heard about a forearm placement and an upper arm placement just above the elbow crease. I can see where both might be uncomfortable. My daughter is also very petite, 4'10" which may also be an issue with comfort (thin arms). Any thoughts?
<br />
<br />Sherri

 

[MCGrad2006]

Not to sound offensive either...but I work retail and had a customer once that had one in her arm and it was VERY visible. I saw her RIGHT when I was considering getting a port and that definitely made me not want it in the arm. I could see the bump and the tubing attached. It was in her upper arm and she had been wearing a tank top.

Have you talked with her doctor about it? I would think if she has had so much trouble with PICCs in her arms they would not want to place a port there.

I got mine placed September 23rd and got it in my upper chest. I love it. I don't notice it at all, have no issues moving my arms. Every once in a while, my hand will brush the area where the port is and I can feel it...but that doesn't even bother me anymore. I have no visible bump at all and only a small 2 inch scar which will heal over time. Had it accessed for the first time and it was smooth sailing...SO MUCH easier than a PICC. The other thing is, when I am/will be accessed, it will be hidden, and I will still have full use of my arms. With a port in the arm, I would assume if it is accessed, it would (obviously) be more likely to be visible and you may also have issues moving your arms/lifting things.

 

[MCGrad2006]

Not to sound offensive either...but I work retail and had a customer once that had one in her arm and it was VERY visible. I saw her RIGHT when I was considering getting a port and that definitely made me not want it in the arm. I could see the bump and the tubing attached. It was in her upper arm and she had been wearing a tank top.

Have you talked with her doctor about it? I would think if she has had so much trouble with PICCs in her arms they would not want to place a port there.

I got mine placed September 23rd and got it in my upper chest. I love it. I don't notice it at all, have no issues moving my arms. Every once in a while, my hand will brush the area where the port is and I can feel it...but that doesn't even bother me anymore. I have no visible bump at all and only a small 2 inch scar which will heal over time. Had it accessed for the first time and it was smooth sailing...SO MUCH easier than a PICC. The other thing is, when I am/will be accessed, it will be hidden, and I will still have full use of my arms. With a port in the arm, I would assume if it is accessed, it would (obviously) be more likely to be visible and you may also have issues moving your arms/lifting things.

 

[MCGrad2006]

Not to sound offensive either...but I work retail and had a customer once that had one in her arm and it was VERY visible. I saw her RIGHT when I was considering getting a port and that definitely made me not want it in the arm. I could see the bump and the tubing attached. It was in her upper arm and she had been wearing a tank top.
<br />
<br />Have you talked with her doctor about it? I would think if she has had so much trouble with PICCs in her arms they would not want to place a port there.
<br />
<br />I got mine placed September 23rd and got it in my upper chest. I love it. I don't notice it at all, have no issues moving my arms. Every once in a while, my hand will brush the area where the port is and I can feel it...but that doesn't even bother me anymore. I have no visible bump at all and only a small 2 inch scar which will heal over time. Had it accessed for the first time and it was smooth sailing...SO MUCH easier than a PICC. The other thing is, when I am/will be accessed, it will be hidden, and I will still have full use of my arms. With a port in the arm, I would assume if it is accessed, it would (obviously) be more likely to be visible and you may also have issues moving your arms/lifting things.

 

[falloutboygurl16]

i know you want to hear the side about the arm ports but im pretty small...5'1" and 103-106lbs. i got my power port in my chest..really not that visible unless you really know its there. i wear tube tops and spaghetti straps and bikinis and no one has said a word. i dont feel like it sticks out either. just make sure that she gets what she wants. low profile port is the best way to go. my power port is small and pretty low profile so im happy with it. if you want to see pics i can send some if youre interested?

 

[falloutboygurl16]

i know you want to hear the side about the arm ports but im pretty small...5'1" and 103-106lbs. i got my power port in my chest..really not that visible unless you really know its there. i wear tube tops and spaghetti straps and bikinis and no one has said a word. i dont feel like it sticks out either. just make sure that she gets what she wants. low profile port is the best way to go. my power port is small and pretty low profile so im happy with it. if you want to see pics i can send some if youre interested?

 

[falloutboygurl16]

i know you want to hear the side about the arm ports but im pretty small...5'1" and 103-106lbs. i got my power port in my chest..really not that visible unless you really know its there. i wear tube tops and spaghetti straps and bikinis and no one has said a word. i dont feel like it sticks out either. just make sure that she gets what she wants. low profile port is the best way to go. my power port is small and pretty low profile so im happy with it. if you want to see pics i can send some if youre interested?
<br />
<br />

 

[Tisha]

Breast ports are quite small. I wore my first one on my upper thing (awful - couldn't wear jeans and dropping the eraser on it was quite painful) because I didn't want it on the breast.
This last one is on my upper breast, and the only consideration is whether it falls under the car's safety belt, or under the bra strap. Mine falls under tha bra strap, which meant for a month or so I had to wear strapless bras beause it hurt, but now it's completely painless. And nearly invisible - my marks from acne are much more visible than the scar! Oh, and with most tops you don't see it either. Not bad.

 

[Tisha]

Breast ports are quite small. I wore my first one on my upper thing (awful - couldn't wear jeans and dropping the eraser on it was quite painful) because I didn't want it on the breast.
This last one is on my upper breast, and the only consideration is whether it falls under the car's safety belt, or under the bra strap. Mine falls under tha bra strap, which meant for a month or so I had to wear strapless bras beause it hurt, but now it's completely painless. And nearly invisible - my marks from acne are much more visible than the scar! Oh, and with most tops you don't see it either. Not bad.

 

[Tisha]

Breast ports are quite small. I wore my first one on my upper thing (awful - couldn't wear jeans and dropping the eraser on it was quite painful) because I didn't want it on the breast.
<br />This last one is on my upper breast, and the only consideration is whether it falls under the car's safety belt, or under the bra strap. Mine falls under tha bra strap, which meant for a month or so I had to wear strapless bras beause it hurt, but now it's completely painless. And nearly invisible - my marks from acne are much more visible than the scar! Oh, and with most tops you don't see it either. Not bad.

 

[kjorgen1]

Hello! I had a mediport placed in my left upper arm a few years back. It was in the inside of my arm, so I really didn't feel it was too noticeable. Only if I had my arm out and not to my side did anyone ever notice it (I wore a strapless prom dress with it and it never showed). I really didn't notice it too much and I thought it was nice and a lot easier for my mother to access instead of trying to struggle with clothing. Also, if you get it placed in your arm you save those chest spots for later on, why the doc wanted one in my arm. The only issue I ever had with the device itself was that it somehow flipped over on its own but it just took a little bit for the doctor to position it back over. Hope that helps <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[kjorgen1]

Hello! I had a mediport placed in my left upper arm a few years back. It was in the inside of my arm, so I really didn't feel it was too noticeable. Only if I had my arm out and not to my side did anyone ever notice it (I wore a strapless prom dress with it and it never showed). I really didn't notice it too much and I thought it was nice and a lot easier for my mother to access instead of trying to struggle with clothing. Also, if you get it placed in your arm you save those chest spots for later on, why the doc wanted one in my arm. The only issue I ever had with the device itself was that it somehow flipped over on its own but it just took a little bit for the doctor to position it back over. Hope that helps <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">