Another port discussion....

L

ladybug

New member
Hello!

Happy Halloween!!!

I've been throwing around the idea of getting a port since I usually have to get put under to get a PICC anyway. I'm generally on IV meds every 6-9 months. I know most everyone who has one LOVES it. But, I wanted to discuss exactly what the accessing, etc. entails? How much "upkeep" is required and what does it involve exactly?

For example, what is the process of accessing it? What do you have to do? What does it FEEL like? Are you dealing at all with going into veins? (I have a phobia of veins and arteries and if I have to do anything myself where I know I'm moving or accesing a vein I will pass out! LOL) What is the pain like onces its placed and you're living life and doing activities as normal? Does it interfere in anything? How big is the "lump" where its placed? Can they use your port for blood draws? Can they use your port for blood draws for other things when you're NOT on abx? For example, if you need your yearly blood CBC done, etc. at clinic?

Thanks for any discussion you can give on specifically what you do to take care of your port. I LOVE the idea of just going home and starting IV antibiotics and not having to get poked and prodded to start IVs and PICCS.
 
L

ladybug

New member
Hello!

Happy Halloween!!!

I've been throwing around the idea of getting a port since I usually have to get put under to get a PICC anyway. I'm generally on IV meds every 6-9 months. I know most everyone who has one LOVES it. But, I wanted to discuss exactly what the accessing, etc. entails? How much "upkeep" is required and what does it involve exactly?

For example, what is the process of accessing it? What do you have to do? What does it FEEL like? Are you dealing at all with going into veins? (I have a phobia of veins and arteries and if I have to do anything myself where I know I'm moving or accesing a vein I will pass out! LOL) What is the pain like onces its placed and you're living life and doing activities as normal? Does it interfere in anything? How big is the "lump" where its placed? Can they use your port for blood draws? Can they use your port for blood draws for other things when you're NOT on abx? For example, if you need your yearly blood CBC done, etc. at clinic?

Thanks for any discussion you can give on specifically what you do to take care of your port. I LOVE the idea of just going home and starting IV antibiotics and not having to get poked and prodded to start IVs and PICCS.
 
L

ladybug

New member
Hello!

Happy Halloween!!!

I've been throwing around the idea of getting a port since I usually have to get put under to get a PICC anyway. I'm generally on IV meds every 6-9 months. I know most everyone who has one LOVES it. But, I wanted to discuss exactly what the accessing, etc. entails? How much "upkeep" is required and what does it involve exactly?

For example, what is the process of accessing it? What do you have to do? What does it FEEL like? Are you dealing at all with going into veins? (I have a phobia of veins and arteries and if I have to do anything myself where I know I'm moving or accesing a vein I will pass out! LOL) What is the pain like onces its placed and you're living life and doing activities as normal? Does it interfere in anything? How big is the "lump" where its placed? Can they use your port for blood draws? Can they use your port for blood draws for other things when you're NOT on abx? For example, if you need your yearly blood CBC done, etc. at clinic?

Thanks for any discussion you can give on specifically what you do to take care of your port. I LOVE the idea of just going home and starting IV antibiotics and not having to get poked and prodded to start IVs and PICCS.
 
L

ladybug

New member
Hello!

Happy Halloween!!!

I've been throwing around the idea of getting a port since I usually have to get put under to get a PICC anyway. I'm generally on IV meds every 6-9 months. I know most everyone who has one LOVES it. But, I wanted to discuss exactly what the accessing, etc. entails? How much "upkeep" is required and what does it involve exactly?

For example, what is the process of accessing it? What do you have to do? What does it FEEL like? Are you dealing at all with going into veins? (I have a phobia of veins and arteries and if I have to do anything myself where I know I'm moving or accesing a vein I will pass out! LOL) What is the pain like onces its placed and you're living life and doing activities as normal? Does it interfere in anything? How big is the "lump" where its placed? Can they use your port for blood draws? Can they use your port for blood draws for other things when you're NOT on abx? For example, if you need your yearly blood CBC done, etc. at clinic?

Thanks for any discussion you can give on specifically what you do to take care of your port. I LOVE the idea of just going home and starting IV antibiotics and not having to get poked and prodded to start IVs and PICCS.
 
L

ladybug

New member
Hello!
<br />
<br />Happy Halloween!!!
<br />
<br />I've been throwing around the idea of getting a port since I usually have to get put under to get a PICC anyway. I'm generally on IV meds every 6-9 months. I know most everyone who has one LOVES it. But, I wanted to discuss exactly what the accessing, etc. entails? How much "upkeep" is required and what does it involve exactly?
<br />
<br />For example, what is the process of accessing it? What do you have to do? What does it FEEL like? Are you dealing at all with going into veins? (I have a phobia of veins and arteries and if I have to do anything myself where I know I'm moving or accesing a vein I will pass out! LOL) What is the pain like onces its placed and you're living life and doing activities as normal? Does it interfere in anything? How big is the "lump" where its placed? Can they use your port for blood draws? Can they use your port for blood draws for other things when you're NOT on abx? For example, if you need your yearly blood CBC done, etc. at clinic?
<br />
<br />Thanks for any discussion you can give on specifically what you do to take care of your port. I LOVE the idea of just going home and starting IV antibiotics and not having to get poked and prodded to start IVs and PICCS.
 
J

JenDiS

New member
When you have your port you have to flush it every month.
You do not deal with veins at all they just access you through your port.
When its placed the pain will last about a week or 2 then after that you wont feel it at all.
It shouldnt interfere with anything.
How big the lump is depends on how big you are body wise...like im at a "normal weight" so I have boobs which means that you dont see my port at all but if I lose weight when im sick its sticking out like a sore thumb.
They can use it for blood draws...I think a hospital can draw the blood but im not to sure about homecare agencies.

You can learn to access your port by yourself if you want...maintenance of the port isnt much...just get it flushed with saline and heparin every month and thats about it! Also when it is accessed for IV's the needle gets changed every week just like if you had a picc the dressing gets changed every week...pain wise it just feels like a pinch

It is a great thing to get, just get all the information about it before hand...I was not informed at all when I got mine unfortunately so I learned all that the hard way...
 
J

JenDiS

New member
When you have your port you have to flush it every month.
You do not deal with veins at all they just access you through your port.
When its placed the pain will last about a week or 2 then after that you wont feel it at all.
It shouldnt interfere with anything.
How big the lump is depends on how big you are body wise...like im at a "normal weight" so I have boobs which means that you dont see my port at all but if I lose weight when im sick its sticking out like a sore thumb.
They can use it for blood draws...I think a hospital can draw the blood but im not to sure about homecare agencies.

You can learn to access your port by yourself if you want...maintenance of the port isnt much...just get it flushed with saline and heparin every month and thats about it! Also when it is accessed for IV's the needle gets changed every week just like if you had a picc the dressing gets changed every week...pain wise it just feels like a pinch

It is a great thing to get, just get all the information about it before hand...I was not informed at all when I got mine unfortunately so I learned all that the hard way...
 
J

JenDiS

New member
When you have your port you have to flush it every month.
You do not deal with veins at all they just access you through your port.
When its placed the pain will last about a week or 2 then after that you wont feel it at all.
It shouldnt interfere with anything.
How big the lump is depends on how big you are body wise...like im at a "normal weight" so I have boobs which means that you dont see my port at all but if I lose weight when im sick its sticking out like a sore thumb.
They can use it for blood draws...I think a hospital can draw the blood but im not to sure about homecare agencies.

You can learn to access your port by yourself if you want...maintenance of the port isnt much...just get it flushed with saline and heparin every month and thats about it! Also when it is accessed for IV's the needle gets changed every week just like if you had a picc the dressing gets changed every week...pain wise it just feels like a pinch

It is a great thing to get, just get all the information about it before hand...I was not informed at all when I got mine unfortunately so I learned all that the hard way...
 
J

JenDiS

New member
When you have your port you have to flush it every month.
You do not deal with veins at all they just access you through your port.
When its placed the pain will last about a week or 2 then after that you wont feel it at all.
It shouldnt interfere with anything.
How big the lump is depends on how big you are body wise...like im at a "normal weight" so I have boobs which means that you dont see my port at all but if I lose weight when im sick its sticking out like a sore thumb.
They can use it for blood draws...I think a hospital can draw the blood but im not to sure about homecare agencies.

You can learn to access your port by yourself if you want...maintenance of the port isnt much...just get it flushed with saline and heparin every month and thats about it! Also when it is accessed for IV's the needle gets changed every week just like if you had a picc the dressing gets changed every week...pain wise it just feels like a pinch

It is a great thing to get, just get all the information about it before hand...I was not informed at all when I got mine unfortunately so I learned all that the hard way...
 
J

JenDiS

New member
When you have your port you have to flush it every month.
<br />You do not deal with veins at all they just access you through your port.
<br />When its placed the pain will last about a week or 2 then after that you wont feel it at all.
<br />It shouldnt interfere with anything.
<br />How big the lump is depends on how big you are body wise...like im at a "normal weight" so I have boobs which means that you dont see my port at all but if I lose weight when im sick its sticking out like a sore thumb.
<br />They can use it for blood draws...I think a hospital can draw the blood but im not to sure about homecare agencies.
<br />
<br />You can learn to access your port by yourself if you want...maintenance of the port isnt much...just get it flushed with saline and heparin every month and thats about it! Also when it is accessed for IV's the needle gets changed every week just like if you had a picc the dressing gets changed every week...pain wise it just feels like a pinch
<br />
<br />It is a great thing to get, just get all the information about it before hand...I was not informed at all when I got mine unfortunately so I learned all that the hard way...
 
L

ladybug

New member
Great info! Thanks!

What does the accessing entail? Is that with a needle? Does that hurt? Is it worse than say an insulin shot?

Thanks!
 
L

ladybug

New member
Great info! Thanks!

What does the accessing entail? Is that with a needle? Does that hurt? Is it worse than say an insulin shot?

Thanks!
 
L

ladybug

New member
Great info! Thanks!

What does the accessing entail? Is that with a needle? Does that hurt? Is it worse than say an insulin shot?

Thanks!
 
L

ladybug

New member
Great info! Thanks!

What does the accessing entail? Is that with a needle? Does that hurt? Is it worse than say an insulin shot?

Thanks!
 
L

ladybug

New member
Great info! Thanks!
<br />
<br />What does the accessing entail? Is that with a needle? Does that hurt? Is it worse than say an insulin shot?
<br />
<br />Thanks!
 
P

PeteRose

Guest
I have a port in my right fore arm. I love it. I had lots of PICC's and got to the point where they were not working all that well. I had the option of putting it in my chest or arm.

I go to a cancer center once a month and they flush my port for me. I am a fainter, so it would not be good for me to flush my own port. I would say that if you can get one, get it. Mine really only hurt for a few days.

Rosie 47 w/cf
 
P

PeteRose

Guest
I have a port in my right fore arm. I love it. I had lots of PICC's and got to the point where they were not working all that well. I had the option of putting it in my chest or arm.

I go to a cancer center once a month and they flush my port for me. I am a fainter, so it would not be good for me to flush my own port. I would say that if you can get one, get it. Mine really only hurt for a few days.

Rosie 47 w/cf
 
P

PeteRose

Guest
I have a port in my right fore arm. I love it. I had lots of PICC's and got to the point where they were not working all that well. I had the option of putting it in my chest or arm.

I go to a cancer center once a month and they flush my port for me. I am a fainter, so it would not be good for me to flush my own port. I would say that if you can get one, get it. Mine really only hurt for a few days.

Rosie 47 w/cf
 
P

PeteRose

Guest
I have a port in my right fore arm. I love it. I had lots of PICC's and got to the point where they were not working all that well. I had the option of putting it in my chest or arm.

I go to a cancer center once a month and they flush my port for me. I am a fainter, so it would not be good for me to flush my own port. I would say that if you can get one, get it. Mine really only hurt for a few days.

Rosie 47 w/cf
 
P

PeteRose

Guest
I have a port in my right fore arm. I love it. I had lots of PICC's and got to the point where they were not working all that well. I had the option of putting it in my chest or arm.
<br />
<br />I go to a cancer center once a month and they flush my port for me. I am a fainter, so it would not be good for me to flush my own port. I would say that if you can get one, get it. Mine really only hurt for a few days.
<br />
<br />Rosie 47 w/cf
 
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