port difficulty

[krisgabes]

Did your nurse ever say that your port is tilted? Your symptoms sound like some issues that I've had more recently. Sometimes I can't get a blood return, they had to use Activase on the line because they thought maybe it was clotted. Sometimes the flush is SO hard that it barely moves. I always seem to have it reaccessed. My nurse and the doctor who put it in said that my port is tilted and they have to move it around before they access it each time. Apparently the hard constant coughing and sleeping certain ways can push the line out of place and cause those kinks.

I feel so bad that yours is giving you such trouble! I think getting it re-placed is a good idea. I wouldn't be able to put up with that either. Good luck! I hope things work out! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[krisgabes]

Did your nurse ever say that your port is tilted? Your symptoms sound like some issues that I've had more recently. Sometimes I can't get a blood return, they had to use Activase on the line because they thought maybe it was clotted. Sometimes the flush is SO hard that it barely moves. I always seem to have it reaccessed. My nurse and the doctor who put it in said that my port is tilted and they have to move it around before they access it each time. Apparently the hard constant coughing and sleeping certain ways can push the line out of place and cause those kinks.
<br />
<br />I feel so bad that yours is giving you such trouble! I think getting it re-placed is a good idea. I wouldn't be able to put up with that either. Good luck! I hope things work out! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[cannedbread]

OK, if I was you I would get that re-placed. I have had 4 hickman catheters and 3 ports and my first port was replaced because of poor positioning. The tube was being occluded by a muscle or bone and if I had my arm down and not in this perfect uncomfortable position it made it hard for blood return. The pain should not be there AT ALL after a fortnight (in my experience, thats just me), and accessing it should be painless. There should also be VERY minimal bruising after access, if any at all.
The best port place I had was between my boob and collar bone, almost exactly half way. That port lasted the longest, and I couldnt feel it even when doing gymnastics or if my boob was moving a lot without my bra (sorry for the graphics hehe).
Maybe, in the mean time, whatever you decide, try moving your arm into differnt positions to see if its being occluded by something like that.

 

[cannedbread]

OK, if I was you I would get that re-placed. I have had 4 hickman catheters and 3 ports and my first port was replaced because of poor positioning. The tube was being occluded by a muscle or bone and if I had my arm down and not in this perfect uncomfortable position it made it hard for blood return. The pain should not be there AT ALL after a fortnight (in my experience, thats just me), and accessing it should be painless. There should also be VERY minimal bruising after access, if any at all.
The best port place I had was between my boob and collar bone, almost exactly half way. That port lasted the longest, and I couldnt feel it even when doing gymnastics or if my boob was moving a lot without my bra (sorry for the graphics hehe).
Maybe, in the mean time, whatever you decide, try moving your arm into differnt positions to see if its being occluded by something like that.

 

[cannedbread]

OK, if I was you I would get that re-placed. I have had 4 hickman catheters and 3 ports and my first port was replaced because of poor positioning. The tube was being occluded by a muscle or bone and if I had my arm down and not in this perfect uncomfortable position it made it hard for blood return. The pain should not be there AT ALL after a fortnight (in my experience, thats just me), and accessing it should be painless. There should also be VERY minimal bruising after access, if any at all.
<br />The best port place I had was between my boob and collar bone, almost exactly half way. That port lasted the longest, and I couldnt feel it even when doing gymnastics or if my boob was moving a lot without my bra (sorry for the graphics hehe).
<br />Maybe, in the mean time, whatever you decide, try moving your arm into differnt positions to see if its being occluded by something like that.