med port

E

ej0820

New member
Hey guys,

Just out of curiosity, I have some questions about ports. I've seen them from a distance on other cfers and have been told every once in a while that I should think about getting one. Right now, I'm not hospitalized enough to need one (only about 1-2x a year), so I'm not seriously considering it, but it IS on my mind.

I understand what it does, but how is it cared for? How does it work?

I've been told that when it comes time to getting one, there are better places to get one than others (reasons being health, cosmetic, comfort, etc.). I understand that, but I kind of took it as it almost being like a permanent PICC line or IV. There's always a dressing (needing changed often), you always have to flush it, you always have to watch swimming/exercising/doing strenuous work, etc. It even LOOKED like that when I glanced at other cfers' ports. From reading several different posts, I'm getting the impression that I'm wrong, lol. "It needs to be "accessed" and usually only a nurse can do it"...what? "You only need tape (or dressings, rather) when it's accessed"...why? What the heck does it do when it's not being "accessed"? I'm assuming it's only "accessed" when one is needing IVs...

Any input would be great! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I feel kinda stupid for not knowing the answers to these questions....
 
E

ej0820

New member
Hey guys,

Just out of curiosity, I have some questions about ports. I've seen them from a distance on other cfers and have been told every once in a while that I should think about getting one. Right now, I'm not hospitalized enough to need one (only about 1-2x a year), so I'm not seriously considering it, but it IS on my mind.

I understand what it does, but how is it cared for? How does it work?

I've been told that when it comes time to getting one, there are better places to get one than others (reasons being health, cosmetic, comfort, etc.). I understand that, but I kind of took it as it almost being like a permanent PICC line or IV. There's always a dressing (needing changed often), you always have to flush it, you always have to watch swimming/exercising/doing strenuous work, etc. It even LOOKED like that when I glanced at other cfers' ports. From reading several different posts, I'm getting the impression that I'm wrong, lol. "It needs to be "accessed" and usually only a nurse can do it"...what? "You only need tape (or dressings, rather) when it's accessed"...why? What the heck does it do when it's not being "accessed"? I'm assuming it's only "accessed" when one is needing IVs...

Any input would be great! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

I feel kinda stupid for not knowing the answers to these questions....
 
E

ej0820

New member
Hey guys,
<br />
<br />Just out of curiosity, I have some questions about ports. I've seen them from a distance on other cfers and have been told every once in a while that I should think about getting one. Right now, I'm not hospitalized enough to need one (only about 1-2x a year), so I'm not seriously considering it, but it IS on my mind.
<br />
<br />I understand what it does, but how is it cared for? How does it work?
<br />
<br />I've been told that when it comes time to getting one, there are better places to get one than others (reasons being health, cosmetic, comfort, etc.). I understand that, but I kind of took it as it almost being like a permanent PICC line or IV. There's always a dressing (needing changed often), you always have to flush it, you always have to watch swimming/exercising/doing strenuous work, etc. It even LOOKED like that when I glanced at other cfers' ports. From reading several different posts, I'm getting the impression that I'm wrong, lol. "It needs to be "accessed" and usually only a nurse can do it"...what? "You only need tape (or dressings, rather) when it's accessed"...why? What the heck does it do when it's not being "accessed"? I'm assuming it's only "accessed" when one is needing IVs...
<br />
<br />Any input would be great! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />I feel kinda stupid for not knowing the answers to these questions....
 
M

maddie256

New member
Ports- I love it!! I could talk about them all day, they are so much nicer then PICC lines!! I actually had my nurse come out and access my port for me today. I'll try to explain it as best I can but it typically rest on the inside of your chest, below your clavicle and connects to your jugular vein i believe. It is like a small circle with a rubber top to it that sit against your skin. To access it you take a needle and feel for your port and place the needle in the center. You can draw back blood and push IV's through it. The needle can remain in your chest with tagaderm/or tape around it, just like a PICC line. However the needle needs to be replaced after a week.
Because it is in a main vein it needs to remain open constantly, aka not clot. Therefore weather you use it that month or not you need to 'flush' is with a dose of 100 unit heprin once a month. This can be done at clinic or through a home health service where a nurse comes out to your house and does it for you. Some people have even taught themselves or their spouses how to do, so that they don't need to have anyone come or they don't need to travel to clinic to have it take care of.
Just as with a PICC line you can't swim or do anything strenuous, it is the same with a PORT- you don't want to do anything that will move the needle because then you will just have to replace it. Also showering you need to cover it up so that it doesn't get wet, but that is easy just use a baggy and tap it over your port. That is why you will see people say I de accessed to get a good shower in. Once you deaccess the needle isn't in anymore and the port is left under your skin therefore you can have a good shower without worrying about getting your needle wet.
When it isn't accessed it just sits under your skin and sometimes you can see the outline of it other times you can't. Typically when I loose weight you can see the outline but usually if I am 'healthy' no one even knows I have one.

Any other questions?? That is all I can think of for right now.

This is what a port looks like- the round part would be the part that lies under your skin connected to your vein. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File<img">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File<img</a> src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">AC_met_Gripper_erin.JPG

(It might look like it would be painful to have it accessed, but really its not at all, today I didn't even feel it) (The first time it is, that is because your body is sore because it just had this placed and it isn't used to it, however just ask for numbing cream and you wont feel it as much)
 
M

maddie256

New member
Ports- I love it!! I could talk about them all day, they are so much nicer then PICC lines!! I actually had my nurse come out and access my port for me today. I'll try to explain it as best I can but it typically rest on the inside of your chest, below your clavicle and connects to your jugular vein i believe. It is like a small circle with a rubber top to it that sit against your skin. To access it you take a needle and feel for your port and place the needle in the center. You can draw back blood and push IV's through it. The needle can remain in your chest with tagaderm/or tape around it, just like a PICC line. However the needle needs to be replaced after a week.
Because it is in a main vein it needs to remain open constantly, aka not clot. Therefore weather you use it that month or not you need to 'flush' is with a dose of 100 unit heprin once a month. This can be done at clinic or through a home health service where a nurse comes out to your house and does it for you. Some people have even taught themselves or their spouses how to do, so that they don't need to have anyone come or they don't need to travel to clinic to have it take care of.
Just as with a PICC line you can't swim or do anything strenuous, it is the same with a PORT- you don't want to do anything that will move the needle because then you will just have to replace it. Also showering you need to cover it up so that it doesn't get wet, but that is easy just use a baggy and tap it over your port. That is why you will see people say I de accessed to get a good shower in. Once you deaccess the needle isn't in anymore and the port is left under your skin therefore you can have a good shower without worrying about getting your needle wet.
When it isn't accessed it just sits under your skin and sometimes you can see the outline of it other times you can't. Typically when I loose weight you can see the outline but usually if I am 'healthy' no one even knows I have one.

Any other questions?? That is all I can think of for right now.

This is what a port looks like- the round part would be the part that lies under your skin connected to your vein. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File<img">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File<img</a> src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">AC_met_Gripper_erin.JPG

(It might look like it would be painful to have it accessed, but really its not at all, today I didn't even feel it) (The first time it is, that is because your body is sore because it just had this placed and it isn't used to it, however just ask for numbing cream and you wont feel it as much)
 
M

maddie256

New member
Ports- I love it!! I could talk about them all day, they are so much nicer then PICC lines!! I actually had my nurse come out and access my port for me today. I'll try to explain it as best I can but it typically rest on the inside of your chest, below your clavicle and connects to your jugular vein i believe. It is like a small circle with a rubber top to it that sit against your skin. To access it you take a needle and feel for your port and place the needle in the center. You can draw back blood and push IV's through it. The needle can remain in your chest with tagaderm/or tape around it, just like a PICC line. However the needle needs to be replaced after a week.
<br />Because it is in a main vein it needs to remain open constantly, aka not clot. Therefore weather you use it that month or not you need to 'flush' is with a dose of 100 unit heprin once a month. This can be done at clinic or through a home health service where a nurse comes out to your house and does it for you. Some people have even taught themselves or their spouses how to do, so that they don't need to have anyone come or they don't need to travel to clinic to have it take care of.
<br />Just as with a PICC line you can't swim or do anything strenuous, it is the same with a PORT- you don't want to do anything that will move the needle because then you will just have to replace it. Also showering you need to cover it up so that it doesn't get wet, but that is easy just use a baggy and tap it over your port. That is why you will see people say I de accessed to get a good shower in. Once you deaccess the needle isn't in anymore and the port is left under your skin therefore you can have a good shower without worrying about getting your needle wet.
<br />When it isn't accessed it just sits under your skin and sometimes you can see the outline of it other times you can't. Typically when I loose weight you can see the outline but usually if I am 'healthy' no one even knows I have one.
<br />
<br />Any other questions?? That is all I can think of for right now.
<br />
<br />This is what a port looks like- the round part would be the part that lies under your skin connected to your vein. <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File<img">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File<img</a> src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">AC_met_Gripper_erin.JPG
<br />
<br />(It might look like it would be painful to have it accessed, but really its not at all, today I didn't even feel it) (The first time it is, that is because your body is sore because it just had this placed and it isn't used to it, however just ask for numbing cream and you wont feel it as much)
 
W

windex125

Guest
I've had my port for 9yrs now, my pic lines were not lastg more than 3 weeks then I started running high fevers. It is exactly how maddie 256 described mine is in my right shoulder and it is acutally a double its rather small I call them my buttons. I do have a nurse flush it once a month,which has to be done if yr. not using it for IV meds. I hate needles and know I cld never do it myself. But how brave of the others that can do it themselves. If I am on IV meds I only take baths at this time and wash my hair in the kitchen sink its a small inconvience for awhile but I love being at home than in the hosp.I was crazed when I heard I had to get it, now I realize it's the best thing I could have ever done, it just works great. good luck.
 
W

windex125

Guest
I've had my port for 9yrs now, my pic lines were not lastg more than 3 weeks then I started running high fevers. It is exactly how maddie 256 described mine is in my right shoulder and it is acutally a double its rather small I call them my buttons. I do have a nurse flush it once a month,which has to be done if yr. not using it for IV meds. I hate needles and know I cld never do it myself. But how brave of the others that can do it themselves. If I am on IV meds I only take baths at this time and wash my hair in the kitchen sink its a small inconvience for awhile but I love being at home than in the hosp.I was crazed when I heard I had to get it, now I realize it's the best thing I could have ever done, it just works great. good luck.
 
W

windex125

Guest
I've had my port for 9yrs now, my pic lines were not lastg more than 3 weeks then I started running high fevers. It is exactly how maddie 256 described mine is in my right shoulder and it is acutally a double its rather small I call them my buttons. I do have a nurse flush it once a month,which has to be done if yr. not using it for IV meds. I hate needles and know I cld never do it myself. But how brave of the others that can do it themselves. If I am on IV meds I only take baths at this time and wash my hair in the kitchen sink its a small inconvience for awhile but I love being at home than in the hosp.I was crazed when I heard I had to get it, now I realize it's the best thing I could have ever done, it just works great. good luck.
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I am a port lover too....for all of the reasons described above. Here is a little blurb in my blog where I am accessing my needle if you want to see what that looks like. It really isn't as bad as it looks, the needle can look frightening when you first spy it, but really, it isn't anything more than an IV stick as far as sensation goes (and you can use numbing creams like EMLA as well if you desire). It goes in, I don't feel it at all after that. I change out the needle every week while in use, when not in use, it does need to be flushed monthly. Either you or a nurse does this job, it is quick and straightforward but a necessity if you want a properly functioning port.
I am on IV's so often now (this year I have been on them more than off), I think of my port as a godsend. I hate PICC's, they always became septic as I react to the tegaderm and bacteria love that environment, no matter how clean and fastidious you are about line care you are.
Here's the video, if you have any questions, holler! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingjennslife.blogspot.com/2010/04/trach-change-and-stuff.html
">http://livingjennslife.blogspo...change-and-stuff.html
</a>
Hugs, Jenn
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I am a port lover too....for all of the reasons described above. Here is a little blurb in my blog where I am accessing my needle if you want to see what that looks like. It really isn't as bad as it looks, the needle can look frightening when you first spy it, but really, it isn't anything more than an IV stick as far as sensation goes (and you can use numbing creams like EMLA as well if you desire). It goes in, I don't feel it at all after that. I change out the needle every week while in use, when not in use, it does need to be flushed monthly. Either you or a nurse does this job, it is quick and straightforward but a necessity if you want a properly functioning port.
I am on IV's so often now (this year I have been on them more than off), I think of my port as a godsend. I hate PICC's, they always became septic as I react to the tegaderm and bacteria love that environment, no matter how clean and fastidious you are about line care you are.
Here's the video, if you have any questions, holler! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingjennslife.blogspot.com/2010/04/trach-change-and-stuff.html
">http://livingjennslife.blogspo...change-and-stuff.html
</a>
Hugs, Jenn
 
J

JustDucky

New member
I am a port lover too....for all of the reasons described above. Here is a little blurb in my blog where I am accessing my needle if you want to see what that looks like. It really isn't as bad as it looks, the needle can look frightening when you first spy it, but really, it isn't anything more than an IV stick as far as sensation goes (and you can use numbing creams like EMLA as well if you desire). It goes in, I don't feel it at all after that. I change out the needle every week while in use, when not in use, it does need to be flushed monthly. Either you or a nurse does this job, it is quick and straightforward but a necessity if you want a properly functioning port.
<br />I am on IV's so often now (this year I have been on them more than off), I think of my port as a godsend. I hate PICC's, they always became septic as I react to the tegaderm and bacteria love that environment, no matter how clean and fastidious you are about line care you are.
<br />Here's the video, if you have any questions, holler! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
<br /><a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://livingjennslife.blogspot.com/2010/04/trach-change-and-stuff.html
">http://livingjennslife.blogspo...change-and-stuff.html
</a><br />
<br />Hugs, Jenn
 
E

ej0820

New member
thanks for the info guys!! I was way off in my thinking what it looked like, what maintenance it required, etc. Jenn, your video was SO informative and clear, though I'll be honest...it scares the sh** out of me and puts my nerves a little on edge when I think about the day I may have to deal with that (just having a PICC placed flips me out to the point of needing anxiety medication before it). Thank you for showing me!!!

Again, thanks guys, I have a MUCH better understanding of a port. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
E

ej0820

New member
thanks for the info guys!! I was way off in my thinking what it looked like, what maintenance it required, etc. Jenn, your video was SO informative and clear, though I'll be honest...it scares the sh** out of me and puts my nerves a little on edge when I think about the day I may have to deal with that (just having a PICC placed flips me out to the point of needing anxiety medication before it). Thank you for showing me!!!

Again, thanks guys, I have a MUCH better understanding of a port. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
E

ej0820

New member
thanks for the info guys!! I was way off in my thinking what it looked like, what maintenance it required, etc. Jenn, your video was SO informative and clear, though I'll be honest...it scares the sh** out of me and puts my nerves a little on edge when I think about the day I may have to deal with that (just having a PICC placed flips me out to the point of needing anxiety medication before it). Thank you for showing me!!!
<br />
<br />Again, thanks guys, I have a MUCH better understanding of a port. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
E

ej0820

New member
so...when it's not being accessed, you can pretty much do everything normally (showering, exercising, etc.)? Can you lay on it, wear a purse strap or bookbag over it (when not being accessed)? Or is it sensitive or hurt when any kind of pressure is applied (I mean way after just having it put in)?
 
E

ej0820

New member
so...when it's not being accessed, you can pretty much do everything normally (showering, exercising, etc.)? Can you lay on it, wear a purse strap or bookbag over it (when not being accessed)? Or is it sensitive or hurt when any kind of pressure is applied (I mean way after just having it put in)?
 
E

ej0820

New member
so...when it's not being accessed, you can pretty much do everything normally (showering, exercising, etc.)? Can you lay on it, wear a purse strap or bookbag over it (when not being accessed)? Or is it sensitive or hurt when any kind of pressure is applied (I mean way after just having it put in)?
 
C

crystalina0814

New member
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://s906.photobucket.com/albums/ac263/sommers_christina/">Pics of Christina's port</a>
I have a few pics on photobucket of my port accessed and de-accessed.

I promise you it is the same port....my accessed ones were taken in a mirror <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Hope this helps you see the difference!
 
C

crystalina0814

New member
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://s906.photobucket.com/albums/ac263/sommers_christina/">Pics of Christina's port</a>
I have a few pics on photobucket of my port accessed and de-accessed.

I promise you it is the same port....my accessed ones were taken in a mirror <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> Hope this helps you see the difference!
 
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