Port Failure

[kemcloney3]

In October I had a port placed. About a week after the surgery it started hurting around the bottom of it. It was the worst pain Ive ever felt in my life. It felt like someone was burning me with fire. Two weeks after the port was placed I had a pit form where the sutures were. It started to drain as well I went to my local hospital and they told me it was fine. 4 weeks after the port was placed, where the pit had formed turned into an actual hole. You could see the actual port if you shined a flashlight the hole was so big. I went to the ER where my CF clinic was located and they told me it was infected and it had to be removed. So now 7 weeks after the port was placed I have an open wound on my chest that has to be packed with gauze once a day. Has this happened to anyone else? If so did you eventually get another port? I haven't decided if I want another one or not. As of right now it hardly seems worth it. I am only hospitalized about twice a year. I welcome any feedback on your port experience.

 

[kemcloney3]

In October I had a port placed. About a week after the surgery it started hurting around the bottom of it. It was the worst pain Ive ever felt in my life. It felt like someone was burning me with fire. Two weeks after the port was placed I had a pit form where the sutures were. It started to drain as well I went to my local hospital and they told me it was fine. 4 weeks after the port was placed, where the pit had formed turned into an actual hole. You could see the actual port if you shined a flashlight the hole was so big. I went to the ER where my CF clinic was located and they told me it was infected and it had to be removed. So now 7 weeks after the port was placed I have an open wound on my chest that has to be packed with gauze once a day. Has this happened to anyone else? If so did you eventually get another port? I haven't decided if I want another one or not. As of right now it hardly seems worth it. I am only hospitalized about twice a year. I welcome any feedback on your port experience.

 

[kemcloney3]

In October I had a port placed. About a week after the surgery it started hurting around the bottom of it. It was the worst pain Ive ever felt in my life. It felt like someone was burning me with fire. Two weeks after the port was placed I had a pit form where the sutures were. It started to drain as well I went to my local hospital and they told me it was fine. 4 weeks after the port was placed, where the pit had formed turned into an actual hole. You could see the actual port if you shined a flashlight the hole was so big. I went to the ER where my CF clinic was located and they told me it was infected and it had to be removed. So now 7 weeks after the port was placed I have an open wound on my chest that has to be packed with gauze once a day. Has this happened to anyone else? If so did you eventually get another port? I haven't decided if I want another one or not. As of right now it hardly seems worth it. I am only hospitalized about twice a year. I welcome any feedback on your port experience.

 

[KLeigh]

Hey Kat - It sucks you are having so many problems with it. My port has never failed (knock on wood). When i got it i was only going to the hospital twice a year as well, but I was always having major problems with PICC lines. If you don't have a problem with those I don't really see the point of another port either. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[KLeigh]

Hey Kat - It sucks you are having so many problems with it. My port has never failed (knock on wood). When i got it i was only going to the hospital twice a year as well, but I was always having major problems with PICC lines. If you don't have a problem with those I don't really see the point of another port either. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[KLeigh]

Hey Kat - It sucks you are having so many problems with it. My port has never failed (knock on wood). When i got it i was only going to the hospital twice a year as well, but I was always having major problems with PICC lines. If you don't have a problem with those I don't really see the point of another port either. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[colinmaydahl]

That sucks that You had problems with Your port. I love mine. I also was having lots of problems with PICC lines, and my port has been great for me. Good luck.

Colin
28m w/CF

 

[colinmaydahl]

That sucks that You had problems with Your port. I love mine. I also was having lots of problems with PICC lines, and my port has been great for me. Good luck.

Colin
28m w/CF

 

[colinmaydahl]

That sucks that You had problems with Your port. I love mine. I also was having lots of problems with PICC lines, and my port has been great for me. Good luck.
<br />
<br />Colin
<br />28m w/CF

 

[kemcloney3]

I have really small veins and I always get blood clots in my picc lines. But my doctor didn't seem to concerned with the clots. I was the one who suggested the port.

 

[kemcloney3]

I have really small veins and I always get blood clots in my picc lines. But my doctor didn't seem to concerned with the clots. I was the one who suggested the port.

 

[kemcloney3]

I have really small veins and I always get blood clots in my picc lines. But my doctor didn't seem to concerned with the clots. I was the one who suggested the port.

 

[jenhum]

Oh man, that sounds like a terrible experience! I am on my 3rd port and I love them and will always have one. But I've never had any major problems, it just seems like they seem to stop working around the 5 year mark for me. I have terrible veins and HATE picc lines though, so I think it's well worth the outpatient surgery every 5 years.

 

[jenhum]

Oh man, that sounds like a terrible experience! I am on my 3rd port and I love them and will always have one. But I've never had any major problems, it just seems like they seem to stop working around the 5 year mark for me. I have terrible veins and HATE picc lines though, so I think it's well worth the outpatient surgery every 5 years.

 

[jenhum]

Oh man, that sounds like a terrible experience! I am on my 3rd port and I love them and will always have one. But I've never had any major problems, it just seems like they seem to stop working around the 5 year mark for me. I have terrible veins and HATE picc lines though, so I think it's well worth the outpatient surgery every 5 years.

 

[PepperKitty]

I had the same thing happen with one of my ports. It was very painful! It took a long time before the hole healed up. Changing the guaze esp hurt. I have a pretty grusome scar where the port was. I've had at least 10 portacaths. Several have had complications! But I've never considered not getting another one. I love Ports! I'm on IV's 4 or 5 times a year.

 

[PepperKitty]

I had the same thing happen with one of my ports. It was very painful! It took a long time before the hole healed up. Changing the guaze esp hurt. I have a pretty grusome scar where the port was. I've had at least 10 portacaths. Several have had complications! But I've never considered not getting another one. I love Ports! I'm on IV's 4 or 5 times a year.

 

[PepperKitty]

I had the same thing happen with one of my ports. It was very painful! It took a long time before the hole healed up. Changing the guaze esp hurt. I have a pretty grusome scar where the port was. I've had at least 10 portacaths. Several have had complications! But I've never considered not getting another one. I love Ports! I'm on IV's 4 or 5 times a year.

 

[windex125]

I have my port for 9yrs, I was runing high fevers come picc lines, so this was the next step on the ladder. Everything has worked out great, though I get a occassionally black and blue after a mtly flush.I do not think that is a serious issue. This may sound stupid but I will ask anyway, the person putting it in, they did have experience in doing more than just a few? Where was it placed? mine is in my right shoulder below the the collar bone. Sometimes we put so much trust in the doctor and or IV people we assume they know what they are doing, but the fact is alot of people have issues because they are not placed properely. So if yr. picc lines are no holding up and you are on IV's often I wld say definetely consider doing it again, after yr. infection has clearned good luck, make sure you ask alot questions be informed. Which I am sure you are. Pat-55/CF

 

[windex125]

I have my port for 9yrs, I was runing high fevers come picc lines, so this was the next step on the ladder. Everything has worked out great, though I get a occassionally black and blue after a mtly flush.I do not think that is a serious issue. This may sound stupid but I will ask anyway, the person putting it in, they did have experience in doing more than just a few? Where was it placed? mine is in my right shoulder below the the collar bone. Sometimes we put so much trust in the doctor and or IV people we assume they know what they are doing, but the fact is alot of people have issues because they are not placed properely. So if yr. picc lines are no holding up and you are on IV's often I wld say definetely consider doing it again, after yr. infection has clearned good luck, make sure you ask alot questions be informed. Which I am sure you are. Pat-55/CF