arm vs chest port

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giantsfan91

Guest
So I'm finally looking at getting a port after over 25 PICCs in my life and 3 of them were this winter alone. Does anyone have an arm port and would prefer it over a port in the chest and vice versa? I can't decide where I want to get mine placed so any pros/cons to your port would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
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giantsfan91

Guest
So I'm finally looking at getting a port after over 25 PICCs in my life and 3 of them were this winter alone. Does anyone have an arm port and would prefer it over a port in the chest and vice versa? I can't decide where I want to get mine placed so any pros/cons to your port would be appreciated. Thanks!
 
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markinohio

New member
I've had a chest port for about three years. It's located just below my left clavicle. The main pro for me is no more picc lines. I had about a dozen in my life. A few cons would be: a monthly flush is recommended, which is not a huge problem. When the port is accessed I have to remember to shave any chest hair that may get caught on a tagaderm. Some people have problems with the port getting clogged or infected. So far, I'm happy with mine.

Mark, age 43
 
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markinohio

New member
I've had a chest port for about three years. It's located just below my left clavicle. The main pro for me is no more picc lines. I had about a dozen in my life. A few cons would be: a monthly flush is recommended, which is not a huge problem. When the port is accessed I have to remember to shave any chest hair that may get caught on a tagaderm. Some people have problems with the port getting clogged or infected. So far, I'm happy with mine.

Mark, age 43
 
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mmmtat

New member
Mine is in my chest. I prefer it there, because I access it myself, and it takes two hands...so if it was in my arm I don't think it would be possible for me to do on my own. It really doesn't bother me on my chest, and has never gotten in the way of anything (accessed or not). Goodluck, it's so much better than PICCs!
 
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mmmtat

New member
Mine is in my chest. I prefer it there, because I access it myself, and it takes two hands...so if it was in my arm I don't think it would be possible for me to do on my own. It really doesn't bother me on my chest, and has never gotten in the way of anything (accessed or not). Goodluck, it's so much better than PICCs!
 
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kyeev

New member
I struggled along with cannulas into my arms, hands and by the end, even my feet, for about 20 years of IVs. I had PICCs too, but kept resisting getting a port put in. I think I was afraid of getting one put in and had loads of excuses, like it would get in the way of surfing or playing soccer. Eventually, when I had literally no veins left anywhere, I relented and got a port in my lower tummy threaded into my groin. It was hidden and out of the way, which appealed to me as nobody every noticed it and it never got in the way. That lasted a few years, by which time I got a new port inserted in my upper chest. Its pretty noticeable and gets banged a fair bit while chesting the ball playing indoor soccer (by the way, my nickname is 'the statue', i.e. I don't move much as I'm out of breath most of the time). Anyway, getting a port was one of the best things I ever did, saves me loads of time getting it accessed, I wish I got one years ago.
 
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kyeev

New member
I struggled along with cannulas into my arms, hands and by the end, even my feet, for about 20 years of IVs. I had PICCs too, but kept resisting getting a port put in. I think I was afraid of getting one put in and had loads of excuses, like it would get in the way of surfing or playing soccer. Eventually, when I had literally no veins left anywhere, I relented and got a port in my lower tummy threaded into my groin. It was hidden and out of the way, which appealed to me as nobody every noticed it and it never got in the way. That lasted a few years, by which time I got a new port inserted in my upper chest. Its pretty noticeable and gets banged a fair bit while chesting the ball playing indoor soccer (by the way, my nickname is 'the statue', i.e. I don't move much as I'm out of breath most of the time). Anyway, getting a port was one of the best things I ever did, saves me loads of time getting it accessed, I wish I got one years ago.
 
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vivalafran

New member
My boyfriend and his sister both have CF. He's had 2 chest ports. She had one in her arm but it actually broke and she had to have it removed and she now has one in her chest as well. I would recommend the chest based of their experience, I know it was very painful for her when it broke in her arm. He did have to have his chest one replaced but it was more of an issue with the port being there for too long then the location.
 
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vivalafran

New member
My boyfriend and his sister both have CF. He's had 2 chest ports. She had one in her arm but it actually broke and she had to have it removed and she now has one in her chest as well. I would recommend the chest based of their experience, I know it was very painful for her when it broke in her arm. He did have to have his chest one replaced but it was more of an issue with the port being there for too long then the location.
 
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colred42

New member
I have had my chest port - right upper chest - for 14 years. I'm not sure if i had a really good doctor place it or i'm just that super anal about mine. Being a girl helps hide the port - put a bra on and its good to go. No one notices it unless i'm not wearing a bra. It's super easy to access since I have both hands free.
 
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colred42

New member
I have had my chest port - right upper chest - for 14 years. I'm not sure if i had a really good doctor place it or i'm just that super anal about mine. Being a girl helps hide the port - put a bra on and its good to go. No one notices it unless i'm not wearing a bra. It's super easy to access since I have both hands free.
 
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JustDucky

New member
I have had two chest ports and prefer them there because I can access it myself. I think it would be hard to do if my port were located in my arm as you need two free hands to insert the needle, one hand to hold the port still and the other to put the needle in. I honestly love mine, no more PICC teams, whenever I need IV's, I access and off I go....just love it!
I don't think it is that noticeable, and personally, I couldn't care less....I wear tank tops in the summer and it doesn't even phase me one bit that it sticks out a bit.

Jenn 40 wCF
 
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JustDucky

New member
I have had two chest ports and prefer them there because I can access it myself. I think it would be hard to do if my port were located in my arm as you need two free hands to insert the needle, one hand to hold the port still and the other to put the needle in. I honestly love mine, no more PICC teams, whenever I need IV's, I access and off I go....just love it!
I don't think it is that noticeable, and personally, I couldn't care less....I wear tank tops in the summer and it doesn't even phase me one bit that it sticks out a bit.

Jenn 40 wCF
 
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breatheforher

New member
My daughter had her first port for 12 years and the only reason it was replaced was because she outgrew it. When the second one was put in the surgeon said if we took as good care as we did with first one it would last the rest of her life. The surgeon spent alot of time discussing placement and body image with us because even though she was a little girl he told us to think about teen years, prom, sports, etc. Chest port will be seen with bathing suits, prom gown, wedding gown, etc. So....he placed it right below her arm pit on side of her chest. She accesses it herself, cant be seen with any clothing, and your arm covers and cradles for added protection.. we were so grateful he spent this time with us because noone(including literature) ever mentioned axilla placement.
 
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breatheforher

New member
My daughter had her first port for 12 years and the only reason it was replaced was because she outgrew it. When the second one was put in the surgeon said if we took as good care as we did with first one it would last the rest of her life. The surgeon spent alot of time discussing placement and body image with us because even though she was a little girl he told us to think about teen years, prom, sports, etc. Chest port will be seen with bathing suits, prom gown, wedding gown, etc. So....he placed it right below her arm pit on side of her chest. She accesses it herself, cant be seen with any clothing, and your arm covers and cradles for added protection.. we were so grateful he spent this time with us because noone(including literature) ever mentioned axilla placement.
 
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PinkPigg

New member
Similar to breatheforher's daughter, I also have an underarm port. I love it because it can't really be seen unless you have a really low cut tank on and also have your arms lifted. Access is easy as long as you get an extension on the IV line when it's accessed.

I've only found one negative so far. If you are a side sleeper then sleeping when it is accessed can be tricky. Mine is on my left and I sleep on both my left and right sides. So when it is accessed I just sleep on my right side. Or I can sleep on my left if I tape a piece of dense foam with a hole cut out around it.

You may need the foam block stuff to do the vest anyhow if you choose a chest or underarm port. Hill Rom will ship you the foam free if you call them.

Here is a link to my blog that has photos of my port: http://www.ifpigshadwings.blogspot.com/2010/09/port-o-call.html

Good luck with your decision <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Peace,
Steph
 
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PinkPigg

New member
Similar to breatheforher's daughter, I also have an underarm port. I love it because it can't really be seen unless you have a really low cut tank on and also have your arms lifted. Access is easy as long as you get an extension on the IV line when it's accessed.

I've only found one negative so far. If you are a side sleeper then sleeping when it is accessed can be tricky. Mine is on my left and I sleep on both my left and right sides. So when it is accessed I just sleep on my right side. Or I can sleep on my left if I tape a piece of dense foam with a hole cut out around it.

You may need the foam block stuff to do the vest anyhow if you choose a chest or underarm port. Hill Rom will ship you the foam free if you call them.

Here is a link to my blog that has photos of my port: http://www.ifpigshadwings.blogspot.com/2010/09/port-o-call.html

Good luck with your decision <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

Peace,
Steph
 
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