Getting IV's Through Port Need Help

just1more · Mar 18, 2009

Can you cover:

Yes, it is going to have a large tegraderm over it, make sure the line on the IV is pointed down and you should have no issue with taking a shower. It isn't pool/tub worthy, but the Tegraderm covers the needle/dressing/ect so as long as it is stuck down well the site will stay dry in the shower.

If you want to swim, it will have to be deaccessed. I would not recommend doing daily, but theorically you should be able to.

As for how many times you can stick a port: a LOT!

Hemophiliacs get infused 2-3x/week and have their ports last for years. My son's is only 2 yrs old at this point and has been 'stabbed' well over 250-300 times w/o any issues.

I did want to add, don't let yourself get discouraged. It is not a wonder fix by any means. However, compared to living with a PICC line for months, I think you will be happy once you get used to it. They don't get in the way of your arms, can be removed when you want or don't need and last for years.

just1more · Mar 18, 2009

Can you cover:

Yes, it is going to have a large tegraderm over it, make sure the line on the IV is pointed down and you should have no issue with taking a shower. It isn't pool/tub worthy, but the Tegraderm covers the needle/dressing/ect so as long as it is stuck down well the site will stay dry in the shower.

If you want to swim, it will have to be deaccessed. I would not recommend doing daily, but theorically you should be able to.

As for how many times you can stick a port: a LOT!

Hemophiliacs get infused 2-3x/week and have their ports last for years. My son's is only 2 yrs old at this point and has been 'stabbed' well over 250-300 times w/o any issues.

I did want to add, don't let yourself get discouraged. It is not a wonder fix by any means. However, compared to living with a PICC line for months, I think you will be happy once you get used to it. They don't get in the way of your arms, can be removed when you want or don't need and last for years.

just1more · Mar 18, 2009

Can you cover:

Yes, it is going to have a large tegraderm over it, make sure the line on the IV is pointed down and you should have no issue with taking a shower. It isn't pool/tub worthy, but the Tegraderm covers the needle/dressing/ect so as long as it is stuck down well the site will stay dry in the shower.

If you want to swim, it will have to be deaccessed. I would not recommend doing daily, but theorically you should be able to.

As for how many times you can stick a port: a LOT!

Hemophiliacs get infused 2-3x/week and have their ports last for years. My son's is only 2 yrs old at this point and has been 'stabbed' well over 250-300 times w/o any issues.

I did want to add, don't let yourself get discouraged. It is not a wonder fix by any means. However, compared to living with a PICC line for months, I think you will be happy once you get used to it. They don't get in the way of your arms, can be removed when you want or don't need and last for years.

just1more · Mar 18, 2009

Can you cover:

Yes, it is going to have a large tegraderm over it, make sure the line on the IV is pointed down and you should have no issue with taking a shower. It isn't pool/tub worthy, but the Tegraderm covers the needle/dressing/ect so as long as it is stuck down well the site will stay dry in the shower.

If you want to swim, it will have to be deaccessed. I would not recommend doing daily, but theorically you should be able to.

As for how many times you can stick a port: a LOT!

Hemophiliacs get infused 2-3x/week and have their ports last for years. My son's is only 2 yrs old at this point and has been 'stabbed' well over 250-300 times w/o any issues.

I did want to add, don't let yourself get discouraged. It is not a wonder fix by any means. However, compared to living with a PICC line for months, I think you will be happy once you get used to it. They don't get in the way of your arms, can be removed when you want or don't need and last for years.

just1more · Mar 18, 2009

Can you cover:
 
 Yes, it is going to have a large tegraderm over it, make sure the line on the IV is pointed down and you should have no issue with taking a shower. It isn't pool/tub worthy, but the Tegraderm covers the needle/dressing/ect so as long as it is stuck down well the site will stay dry in the shower.
 
 If you want to swim, it will have to be deaccessed. I would not recommend doing daily, but theorically you should be able to.
 
 As for how many times you can stick a port: a LOT!
 
 Hemophiliacs get infused 2-3x/week and have their ports last for years. My son's is only 2 yrs old at this point and has been 'stabbed' well over 250-300 times w/o any issues.
 
 I did want to add, don't let yourself get discouraged. It is not a wonder fix by any means. However, compared to living with a PICC line for months, I think you will be happy once you get used to it. They don't get in the way of your arms, can be removed when you want or don't need and last for years.

jaimers · Mar 18, 2009

i have the Bard Power Port (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.crbard.com/news/innovations/PowerPortImplantedPort.cfm">http://www.crbard.com/news/inn...rPortImplantedPort.cfm</a> ) so it's not a double, but i'm assuming the access method would be the same....i had my home health nurse access mine for the first time for the monthly flush and it hurt. but the next time i did it myself (after lots of hesitation) and its really not hard and you get used to the feeling. i had to push a little harder to get it into the port than i thought i would, but now it's a breeze--just pop it right in. the needle looks long, but it fits perfectly. i can't remember right off the top of my head but i think i use a 22 gauge 3/4" needle that is straight with a slight downward bend at the end. it doesn't feel good but after a few times you get used to it and build up a little scar tissue. since i've learned to access it myself, when i'm on IVs i deaccess it about every 2-3 days to take a good shower, maybe go swim (if its summer and i feel up to it) and to let my skin around the site breath a little from the tegaderm.

for showering you should be ok with the tegaderm. this cracks me up that it works but Glad Press and seal wrap sticks to your skin although i tape it for extra security. and so you could use that to cover around the port/tegaderm. when you are not accessed, you obviously have zero limitations for showering, swimming etc.
there are special "port shower covers" you can buy but if i remember correctly from previous posts they are hard to find (i just searched around google for a second and didn't run across anything, but they DO exist out there somewhere)....

anyway, i think you'll get used to the port and hopefully your IV sessions will be few and far between so you won't have to use it that often!

jaimers · Mar 18, 2009

i have the Bard Power Port (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.crbard.com/news/innovations/PowerPortImplantedPort.cfm">http://www.crbard.com/news/inn...rPortImplantedPort.cfm</a> ) so it's not a double, but i'm assuming the access method would be the same....i had my home health nurse access mine for the first time for the monthly flush and it hurt. but the next time i did it myself (after lots of hesitation) and its really not hard and you get used to the feeling. i had to push a little harder to get it into the port than i thought i would, but now it's a breeze--just pop it right in. the needle looks long, but it fits perfectly. i can't remember right off the top of my head but i think i use a 22 gauge 3/4" needle that is straight with a slight downward bend at the end. it doesn't feel good but after a few times you get used to it and build up a little scar tissue. since i've learned to access it myself, when i'm on IVs i deaccess it about every 2-3 days to take a good shower, maybe go swim (if its summer and i feel up to it) and to let my skin around the site breath a little from the tegaderm.

for showering you should be ok with the tegaderm. this cracks me up that it works but Glad Press and seal wrap sticks to your skin although i tape it for extra security. and so you could use that to cover around the port/tegaderm. when you are not accessed, you obviously have zero limitations for showering, swimming etc.
there are special "port shower covers" you can buy but if i remember correctly from previous posts they are hard to find (i just searched around google for a second and didn't run across anything, but they DO exist out there somewhere)....

anyway, i think you'll get used to the port and hopefully your IV sessions will be few and far between so you won't have to use it that often!

jaimers · Mar 18, 2009

i have the Bard Power Port (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.crbard.com/news/innovations/PowerPortImplantedPort.cfm">http://www.crbard.com/news/inn...rPortImplantedPort.cfm</a> ) so it's not a double, but i'm assuming the access method would be the same....i had my home health nurse access mine for the first time for the monthly flush and it hurt. but the next time i did it myself (after lots of hesitation) and its really not hard and you get used to the feeling. i had to push a little harder to get it into the port than i thought i would, but now it's a breeze--just pop it right in. the needle looks long, but it fits perfectly. i can't remember right off the top of my head but i think i use a 22 gauge 3/4" needle that is straight with a slight downward bend at the end. it doesn't feel good but after a few times you get used to it and build up a little scar tissue. since i've learned to access it myself, when i'm on IVs i deaccess it about every 2-3 days to take a good shower, maybe go swim (if its summer and i feel up to it) and to let my skin around the site breath a little from the tegaderm.

for showering you should be ok with the tegaderm. this cracks me up that it works but Glad Press and seal wrap sticks to your skin although i tape it for extra security. and so you could use that to cover around the port/tegaderm. when you are not accessed, you obviously have zero limitations for showering, swimming etc.
there are special "port shower covers" you can buy but if i remember correctly from previous posts they are hard to find (i just searched around google for a second and didn't run across anything, but they DO exist out there somewhere)....

anyway, i think you'll get used to the port and hopefully your IV sessions will be few and far between so you won't have to use it that often!

jaimers · Mar 18, 2009

i have the Bard Power Port (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.crbard.com/news/innovations/PowerPortImplantedPort.cfm">http://www.crbard.com/news/inn...rPortImplantedPort.cfm</a> ) so it's not a double, but i'm assuming the access method would be the same....i had my home health nurse access mine for the first time for the monthly flush and it hurt. but the next time i did it myself (after lots of hesitation) and its really not hard and you get used to the feeling. i had to push a little harder to get it into the port than i thought i would, but now it's a breeze--just pop it right in. the needle looks long, but it fits perfectly. i can't remember right off the top of my head but i think i use a 22 gauge 3/4" needle that is straight with a slight downward bend at the end. it doesn't feel good but after a few times you get used to it and build up a little scar tissue. since i've learned to access it myself, when i'm on IVs i deaccess it about every 2-3 days to take a good shower, maybe go swim (if its summer and i feel up to it) and to let my skin around the site breath a little from the tegaderm.

for showering you should be ok with the tegaderm. this cracks me up that it works but Glad Press and seal wrap sticks to your skin although i tape it for extra security. and so you could use that to cover around the port/tegaderm. when you are not accessed, you obviously have zero limitations for showering, swimming etc.
there are special "port shower covers" you can buy but if i remember correctly from previous posts they are hard to find (i just searched around google for a second and didn't run across anything, but they DO exist out there somewhere)....

anyway, i think you'll get used to the port and hopefully your IV sessions will be few and far between so you won't have to use it that often!

jaimers · Mar 18, 2009

i have the Bard Power Port (<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.crbard.com/news/innovations/PowerPortImplantedPort.cfm">http://www.crbard.com/news/inn...rPortImplantedPort.cfm</a> ) so it's not a double, but i'm assuming the access method would be the same....i had my home health nurse access mine for the first time for the monthly flush and it hurt. but the next time i did it myself (after lots of hesitation) and its really not hard and you get used to the feeling. i had to push a little harder to get it into the port than i thought i would, but now it's a breeze--just pop it right in. the needle looks long, but it fits perfectly. i can't remember right off the top of my head but i think i use a 22 gauge 3/4" needle that is straight with a slight downward bend at the end. it doesn't feel good but after a few times you get used to it and build up a little scar tissue. since i've learned to access it myself, when i'm on IVs i deaccess it about every 2-3 days to take a good shower, maybe go swim (if its summer and i feel up to it) and to let my skin around the site breath a little from the tegaderm.
 
 for showering you should be ok with the tegaderm. this cracks me up that it works but Glad Press and seal wrap sticks to your skin although i tape it for extra security. and so you could use that to cover around the port/tegaderm. when you are not accessed, you obviously have zero limitations for showering, swimming etc.
 there are special "port shower covers" you can buy but if i remember correctly from previous posts they are hard to find (i just searched around google for a second and didn't run across anything, but they DO exist out there somewhere)....
 
 anyway, i think you'll get used to the port and hopefully your IV sessions will be few and far between so you won't have to use it that often!

debs2girls · Mar 18, 2009

I assume it is okay to post this link to lightnlife accessing her port since she first posted it on here for us anyway.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/cftube/categories.cfm?catid=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/...=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
</a>
My daughter has had her port since January and is currently accessed again. I have not done it yet, but I am thinking about learning so she could bathe a little easier plus she is wanting to swim..I do deaccess her when she is finished with her IVs.

debs2girls · Mar 18, 2009

I assume it is okay to post this link to lightnlife accessing her port since she first posted it on here for us anyway.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/cftube/categories.cfm?catid=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/...=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
</a>
My daughter has had her port since January and is currently accessed again. I have not done it yet, but I am thinking about learning so she could bathe a little easier plus she is wanting to swim..I do deaccess her when she is finished with her IVs.

debs2girls · Mar 18, 2009

I assume it is okay to post this link to lightnlife accessing her port since she first posted it on here for us anyway.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/cftube/categories.cfm?catid=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/...=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
</a>
My daughter has had her port since January and is currently accessed again. I have not done it yet, but I am thinking about learning so she could bathe a little easier plus she is wanting to swim..I do deaccess her when she is finished with her IVs.

debs2girls · Mar 18, 2009

I assume it is okay to post this link to lightnlife accessing her port since she first posted it on here for us anyway.
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/cftube/categories.cfm?catid=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/...=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
</a>
My daughter has had her port since January and is currently accessed again. I have not done it yet, but I am thinking about learning so she could bathe a little easier plus she is wanting to swim..I do deaccess her when she is finished with her IVs.

debs2girls · Mar 18, 2009

I assume it is okay to post this link to lightnlife accessing her port since she first posted it on here for us anyway.
 <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/cftube/categories.cfm?catid=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
">http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/...=17&idvideo=2<br%20/>
</a> 
 My daughter has had her port since January and is currently accessed again. I have not done it yet, but I am thinking about learning so she could bathe a little easier plus she is wanting to swim..I do deaccess her when she is finished with her IVs.

Capi · Mar 18, 2009

Thanks for the link Debbie, I know have a better idea of what I got myself into.

I may sound dumb but thank you all for the explanations. Again, I had a completely different picture in my mind on how a port worked that is why I agreed with the doctor and did not ask questions.

Most if not all of us with CF have passed through hell in our lives and getting pinched with needles is a norm for us and I guess I will eventually get used to it although after watching that video made me wonder how long will this change take before I get used to it. This is not cool.
Not to mention the nurse has not showed up yet and she is now two hours late. So I am getting more and more nervous waiting.

Capi · Mar 18, 2009

Thanks for the link Debbie, I know have a better idea of what I got myself into.

I may sound dumb but thank you all for the explanations. Again, I had a completely different picture in my mind on how a port worked that is why I agreed with the doctor and did not ask questions.

Most if not all of us with CF have passed through hell in our lives and getting pinched with needles is a norm for us and I guess I will eventually get used to it although after watching that video made me wonder how long will this change take before I get used to it. This is not cool.
Not to mention the nurse has not showed up yet and she is now two hours late. So I am getting more and more nervous waiting.

Capi · Mar 18, 2009

Thanks for the link Debbie, I know have a better idea of what I got myself into.

I may sound dumb but thank you all for the explanations. Again, I had a completely different picture in my mind on how a port worked that is why I agreed with the doctor and did not ask questions.

Most if not all of us with CF have passed through hell in our lives and getting pinched with needles is a norm for us and I guess I will eventually get used to it although after watching that video made me wonder how long will this change take before I get used to it. This is not cool.
Not to mention the nurse has not showed up yet and she is now two hours late. So I am getting more and more nervous waiting.

Capi · Mar 18, 2009

Thanks for the link Debbie, I know have a better idea of what I got myself into.

I may sound dumb but thank you all for the explanations. Again, I had a completely different picture in my mind on how a port worked that is why I agreed with the doctor and did not ask questions.

Most if not all of us with CF have passed through hell in our lives and getting pinched with needles is a norm for us and I guess I will eventually get used to it although after watching that video made me wonder how long will this change take before I get used to it. This is not cool.
Not to mention the nurse has not showed up yet and she is now two hours late. So I am getting more and more nervous waiting.

Capi · Mar 18, 2009

Thanks for the link Debbie, I know have a better idea of what I got myself into.
 
 I may sound dumb but thank you all for the explanations. Again, I had a completely different picture in my mind on how a port worked that is why I agreed with the doctor and did not ask questions.
 
 Most if not all of us with CF have passed through hell in our lives and getting pinched with needles is a norm for us and I guess I will eventually get used to it although after watching that video made me wonder how long will this change take before I get used to it. This is not cool.
 Not to mention the nurse has not showed up yet and she is now two hours late. So I am getting more and more nervous waiting.

Getting IV's Through Port Need Help

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