I think I need to get a new port-a-cath!

J

Jennie

New member
Hi all,
I've had my port-a-cath now for 9 years. I've never had a problem with it until now. When its accessed with the needle the fluid burns (normal saline) and I feel alot of pressure around the area... the area size of about my hand. There was a little blood return. But then when we took out the needle all the saline came out of the hole wherer the needle was?!? The nurse's are thinking my port is expired and its time for a new one. I have an appt tmrw morning to have it looked at.
Has anyone here experienced this? How did you know your port was no longer working?
Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">

Jennie
26 f w/cf and cfrd
 
J

Jennie

New member
Hi all,
I've had my port-a-cath now for 9 years. I've never had a problem with it until now. When its accessed with the needle the fluid burns (normal saline) and I feel alot of pressure around the area... the area size of about my hand. There was a little blood return. But then when we took out the needle all the saline came out of the hole wherer the needle was?!? The nurse's are thinking my port is expired and its time for a new one. I have an appt tmrw morning to have it looked at.
Has anyone here experienced this? How did you know your port was no longer working?
Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">

Jennie
26 f w/cf and cfrd
 
J

Jennie

New member
Hi all,
I've had my port-a-cath now for 9 years. I've never had a problem with it until now. When its accessed with the needle the fluid burns (normal saline) and I feel alot of pressure around the area... the area size of about my hand. There was a little blood return. But then when we took out the needle all the saline came out of the hole wherer the needle was?!? The nurse's are thinking my port is expired and its time for a new one. I have an appt tmrw morning to have it looked at.
Has anyone here experienced this? How did you know your port was no longer working?
Thanks <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif" border="0">

Jennie
26 f w/cf and cfrd
 
L

lightNlife

New member
I just had my port replaced yesterday. It had been in for 10 years. From what you're describing, it sounds like it's time to get a new one. Are you sure the needle was in the port? It happened to me one time that I missed the septum of the darn thing and ended up infusing stuff just under my skin. If there was only a little blood return, you may not have had the needle in the right place. Does the stinging happen EVERY time, or only the most recent?

Mine was no longer working based on the fact that it was a VERY hard flush, and was causing pain at the site and also into my shoulder. A visit to interventional radiology confirmed that there was some fibron sheath forming, and that's what was slowing things down.

I'd be happy to answer any additional port questions. You can either post them here, or send them to me via PM.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
I just had my port replaced yesterday. It had been in for 10 years. From what you're describing, it sounds like it's time to get a new one. Are you sure the needle was in the port? It happened to me one time that I missed the septum of the darn thing and ended up infusing stuff just under my skin. If there was only a little blood return, you may not have had the needle in the right place. Does the stinging happen EVERY time, or only the most recent?

Mine was no longer working based on the fact that it was a VERY hard flush, and was causing pain at the site and also into my shoulder. A visit to interventional radiology confirmed that there was some fibron sheath forming, and that's what was slowing things down.

I'd be happy to answer any additional port questions. You can either post them here, or send them to me via PM.
 
L

lightNlife

New member
I just had my port replaced yesterday. It had been in for 10 years. From what you're describing, it sounds like it's time to get a new one. Are you sure the needle was in the port? It happened to me one time that I missed the septum of the darn thing and ended up infusing stuff just under my skin. If there was only a little blood return, you may not have had the needle in the right place. Does the stinging happen EVERY time, or only the most recent?

Mine was no longer working based on the fact that it was a VERY hard flush, and was causing pain at the site and also into my shoulder. A visit to interventional radiology confirmed that there was some fibron sheath forming, and that's what was slowing things down.

I'd be happy to answer any additional port questions. You can either post them here, or send them to me via PM.
 
N

nicolaj

New member
sounds to me like its expired, but fingers crossed it hasnt??good luck tommorrow jennie!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
N

nicolaj

New member
sounds to me like its expired, but fingers crossed it hasnt??good luck tommorrow jennie!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
N

nicolaj

New member
sounds to me like its expired, but fingers crossed it hasnt??good luck tommorrow jennie!!<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">
 
J

Jennie

New member
Well I just got home from seeing the doctor. Yep, I need a new port...bla. The doc was able to access it one more time for me, as I'm doing iv antibiotics right now from home. And I'm not mentally prepared to get a new one today! I'm going to schedule an apt for thurs (one week from today) to get a new one implanted. I just hate that people will be able to see the new one. The one I have right now is located over my breast and hidden in my breast tissue... there is no bump. But the new one will be much more visible. Oh well, its goes along with all the other crappy stuff we have to put up with!
 
J

Jennie

New member
Well I just got home from seeing the doctor. Yep, I need a new port...bla. The doc was able to access it one more time for me, as I'm doing iv antibiotics right now from home. And I'm not mentally prepared to get a new one today! I'm going to schedule an apt for thurs (one week from today) to get a new one implanted. I just hate that people will be able to see the new one. The one I have right now is located over my breast and hidden in my breast tissue... there is no bump. But the new one will be much more visible. Oh well, its goes along with all the other crappy stuff we have to put up with!
 
J

Jennie

New member
Well I just got home from seeing the doctor. Yep, I need a new port...bla. The doc was able to access it one more time for me, as I'm doing iv antibiotics right now from home. And I'm not mentally prepared to get a new one today! I'm going to schedule an apt for thurs (one week from today) to get a new one implanted. I just hate that people will be able to see the new one. The one I have right now is located over my breast and hidden in my breast tissue... there is no bump. But the new one will be much more visible. Oh well, its goes along with all the other crappy stuff we have to put up with!
 
B

blindhearted

New member
Sorry you have to get a new port. Ask then where else they can place it. Mine is located on my lower left chest, under my left breast. Totally invisible to ppl and pretty much out of the way too.
 
B

blindhearted

New member
Sorry you have to get a new port. Ask then where else they can place it. Mine is located on my lower left chest, under my left breast. Totally invisible to ppl and pretty much out of the way too.
 
B

blindhearted

New member
Sorry you have to get a new port. Ask then where else they can place it. Mine is located on my lower left chest, under my left breast. Totally invisible to ppl and pretty much out of the way too.
 
P

princesskc2

New member
I replaced my new one last March. I had mine for 21 YEARS. Mine just stopped working, I could flush with saline but it would come out and I had them do several x-rays while they were trying to flush it and they could tell it was a goner. SO, sounds like it is bad, but the radilogist Dept. can test with dye etc. and look at it.

Good Luck
 
P

princesskc2

New member
I replaced my new one last March. I had mine for 21 YEARS. Mine just stopped working, I could flush with saline but it would come out and I had them do several x-rays while they were trying to flush it and they could tell it was a goner. SO, sounds like it is bad, but the radilogist Dept. can test with dye etc. and look at it.

Good Luck
 
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