does anyone have a portacath or has had one?

tiffanystar

New member
does anyone have a portacath or has had one? can you tell me about it? my doctor told me to think about getting one cause my veins are shot.

tiffany
 
L

luke

Guest
Tiffany,

I used to have one but had it removed a few years ago because I didnt use it very much. I will definitely recommend getting one if you have to be put on IV meds frequently and for extended periods of time. It does hurt for a few days after they implant it... but the pain subsides pretty quickly, nothing motrin can't control though. Ports are much easier to deal with than peripheral lines and is something you can access without needing a nurse, hence you can take out the needle to take a nice hot shower or whatever..

If you have any specific questions let me know.


luke 29/cf
 

Emily65Roses

New member
I got a port 3 years ago. I love it. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask here, or email me and I can answer anything you like.
 

anonymous

New member
Hi i am 14 and a live in australia. Im quite sick and i come in and out of hospital a fair bit about every 3 months . since i had my port last year its been the best thing ever for me. No more painfull I.Vs.
 

anonymous

New member
i got my port three years ago for the same reason you said. I can honestly say it is one of the best things i ever did! i would always worry about getting my IV but with this it is so simple. when you put emla on it doesn't even hurt! i would definitely recommend it!
------------
Emily -13 w/ CF
 

anonymous

New member
hiya why do you think itz the best thing to have a port because i just rather have a canula because that always last 2 weeks on me!! And i dont go in and out of hospital much but i think it would be easier to have a canula, long line or a short line!! Even though i never let the doctors put long lines and short lines in because they never work so i have a canula instead

please reply loveya Danielle or email me DB100_54@HOTMAIL.COM ................................ thx!
 

lilplaygirl2006

New member
Hey Luke

This is jessica and im 17... My doctors had mention a portacath to me but im not in the hospital very often lately... but they seem to think it might be the best way to go right now... but im really scared... they have troubles gettin a pic line in me... and they usually get swollen and hurt for a long time while in the hospital so im a little freaked... what should i do?
 

Emily65Roses

New member
That is the decision of you, your drs, your family, etc. But I had all sorts of trouble with PICCs myself, and got a port when I was 18. I love it. It's so much easier, I can rely more on myself and less on nurses, as I learned to access it myself. I can take the needle out, and put a new one in without any assistance. If you don't need IVs too often, I'd say hold back on it for now. But in the end, when you do need more IVs, it's not a bad idea. It's surgery, and it hurts, sure. I won't lie. But in my opinion, it is completely worth it. I love mine.
 

Becstar

New member
a portacath is a little metel thing that a opeating doctor places just under the skin and the is a tube that the doctors place in carefully and it sits there until you need it the next time you are hospital and the nurses place the iv needle in the portacath that has a rubber middle and that is where the put the needle. they ask you to keep it in there for 7 days then they put a new one and then they take it out when you go home. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> 
 

anonymous

New member
ah i know what it's, thank u becstar! i was once asked for protcath but unfortnalately for docs, i refused cos i really hate needle and stuff so tat y! is it sore like? do u have one or did u? think i sud take it no matter ow hurt it will cause?
 

anonymous

New member
Hi my name is Natalie from CALIFORNIA
I have a portacath I've had one for about 6 years now and I love it.
It's less painfull then getting an IV or a pic line everytime you have to go to the hospital.
Also if they need blood for some kind of test they can just get it from the portacath.
I recommend it to you it will save you from alot of stress and pain.
 

anonymous

New member
Hi Tiffany,
My name is Hona im 20yrs old and I have had my portacath for 6 & 1/2 yrs. I was 14 at the time and my veins were shot too. It was at the point where I was getting about 8-10 needles every time I ended up in hospital. For myself if I went back I would have still said yes to getting a portacath simply because it took the hassle out of looking for a good enough vein, the amount of needles I was getting, and it even kept my arms free. Also the antibiotics can go faster through the machine so it doesnt take as long. I hope that this message is a help to you. I know I would say yes to getting one but it also depends on your situation, I was pretty sick and I was using it quite alot.

All the best, Hona

p.s If you want to respond or want any information you can email me at maiotaki17@hotmail.com<b>Text</b>
 
L

luke

Guest
playgirl,

sorry I didn't respond sooner..I did not see your post. Port a caths are most defintely the easiest way to go. But If your not on IV's often or do not have bad veins you can probably just hold off. The only down side to the port is tha vanity issue, when I had mine I was pretty self conscious about, I guess that is a personal issue. I will tell you than when I start using IV's more than every 8-10 months(like I do) I will probably get another one.


luke
 
B

Biscuite

Guest
That is what my doctor told me? whos you doctor? mine is Bogart! (Chapel Hill) It is very good you can even get blood out of it not trying to scaaary you but it has been a rough year for me they dont always get blood and they have to poke me twice.
 

anonymous

New member
Hi, I have a port-a-cath, and it's great. Most people have it in their chest but I have mine in my left arm and it has been a blessing for me. The onky thing about it though is that you need to get it flushed once a month, but in the long run, it's the best thing, and it gets you in and out of the hospital rally fast, depending on your condition.
 

jennb

New member
hello im 22 with cf and i too have a port........i got it when i was 12. i was going in the hospital very often. but now im trying to decide if i should have it removed cause i havent been in the hospital for 6 years.....been doing very good!!! any suggestions?? but if i was you going in the hospital alot i would say yea get one i love mine!!!!!!!!!!

jennifer22w/cf
 

anonymous

New member
I am 13 years old and I have a port. I have had it since I was 10. I love it because I don't have to get stuck anymore for medicine or blood. We put creme on the skin over the port and it numbs the skin so you don't feel the stick.
 
Top