well i got my port put in. had a few problems with pain and anti biotics reactions but everything is a ok now. im wondering why my hospital uses the big clunky huber needles instead of the flat winged ones. are the big ones suppose to be better? its so annoying having the big needles in, i keep knocking it! also what does everyone do about showers when the ports accessed? some of my nurses keep insisting that i can shower normally and that its ok to get the tubing wet [the needle has opsite on it]. but ever since the word go ive been under the impression that getting the tubing wet is a no no, so ive been sponge bathing myself.
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- Thread starter kybert
- Start date
it's ok. you can shower with you port accessed, it wont harm it. every hospital is different with the kind of needles they use. here in townsville they use a needle called a gripper and down in brisbane the use these horrible big needles that are so uncomfy. just ask your hospital if they can use a needle your comfy with.
AbsintheSorrow
New member
As far as showeing, I take baths where the water doesn't go higher than my legs, and I wash with a cloth or whatever. For my hair, I have my boyfriend or my sister wash it for me over the bathtub.
I've had my port for 9yrs so i'm a pro. As for shower u can take a shower way to keep the port dry are use some plactic medical tape and saran wrap and cover the port acces area, its ok if the tubing gets wet. Or u can use the Tegaderm HP, it a clear plastic port Dressing thats water proof, But dont emerge in in a tub, Its my prefrence.... the tegaderm is more like skin and since its see through u can just look to see if your having any site reactions with out having to pull it up. As for the needles my hospital is currently useing the gripper needles they discontinued the use of the flat winged needles due to safty reasons...i guess some people werent being carefull and would stick themselves this order came from OSHA, so that may be the reason for the big needles your now using the gripper is slighty more bulkier but its to bad. I've gotten a few newer needles to try and they are slightly more complicated(prevents needle sticks to others) but i'm not sold on them yet... So when i have a few more access about them i'll let everyone know how i like them...I hope this info has helped ya out some.....if you have anymore questions please email me at jmazz@suscom.net and i'll get back to ya asapGood heatlh Jess
HollyCatheryn
New member
I've had a port for 8 yrs. I've never had a problem with showers. I don't go swimming with it accessed or otherwise submerge it in water. I use the Tegaderm covering. It wrinkles less and adheres to my skin better giving a better seal and as the other poster said, you can see through it to keep an eye on your site. I've used that gripper needle that sticks up and it is very uncomfortable, I prefer the winged ones. My hospital has switched to a winged needle that retracts as soon as you pull it from the site - pretty cool and it prevents the sticking thing. Though in all my years of accessing my port myself (which they allow here) I've never stuck myself or a helper. Good luck with your port. I love mine. Out of curiosity, where did you have yours placed? Or some of these others that have posted.I've had mine in 2 different spots. The first was about an inch below my bra underwire on my left side. My current one is on my right side where my horizontal bra-strap goes right over it. This one is extremely comfortable and completely invisible even when it's accessed. HollyCatheryn
I've had 2 ports, the first one for 5 years and the one I have now for the past 4 years. I use the saran wrap & tape method, kinda inconvenient, but at least you can shower regularly. Also, they used to use the winged needles and I would always seem to pop them out. Now they use the Gripper needles which are bulkier, but I haven't popped one out yet, so maybe they stay in the port better.Martha 29, CF
yeah the grippers are used here for the safety reasons. even though no nurses have heard of anyone pricking themselves. im going to ask my cf nurse if she is able to order the winged ones in. i have my port on the right side of my ribs. i didnt want it on my upper chest as i wear alot of singlets etc. i also dont like things near my collarbones. when i use to have cvcs it would be so uncomfortable when id hunch over in my sleep. what exactly is a saran wrap? i think i might just stick to sponge bathing myself and having a good scrub up between needle changes, which i did today. boy did it feel good to have a proper shower!