Port Messed up

[Burn]

My port is now not working as it should. and it looks like I may need a new one. Is it a straight forward as taking the old one out, and putting a new one in?

 

[JazzysMom]

Cant help ya darling, but someone can.....be patient!

 

[kybert]

yep, its that straight forward. they can use the same catheter [unless its the catheter causing the problem or its very old] and just hook a new port on.

 

[Burn]

Thanks. it's about 3 years old. When I try to push the fluid in it wont move at all.

 

[fourkidsmom]

Burn

Our now 5 yr old son had his first port for 4 years. When he went in they had to take it all out and in doing so broke the catheter, so it took longer, the doctor said he had never seen anything like that happen before, usually it is a simple procedure.

Same thing happened with his we couldn't get a blood return or put fluid in. It happened right after the last day of 3 weeks of IV's.

Good luck with it.
Fourkidsmom

 

[blindhearted]

Yeah, its pretty straight forward. I had my port of 7 yrs replaced March 2005. I went in with my old one (that completely stopped working, nothing in or out) and a few hours later awoke with a new one. My catheter part was old and wore out so they preplaced the whole thing. They did local numbing (I was semi awake...in and out). They put my new one within a few centameters (sp?) from my old one. Due to scar tissue, they had to make a new tunnel for the catheter part. It wasnt too bad. The new one works great.

Dont try to force anything in (you probably know this). When my first one stopped working, it was like pushing against a brick wall. Nothing would move. I would go to your doctor, tell them what is going on and talk about the option of a new one.

 

[anonymous]

I've been to my doctor, they got it working but then when I got home it had stopped. I to go in today again to sort it out.

Thanks blindhearted, that was my next question if they place it in the same place, but you have answered that already.

 

[HairGirl]

Does anyone know how long ports last? I've had mine about two years now.

 

[anonymous]

I've had my port since 1996, so they can last 10 years. It got me throught a lot of drugs, my transplant, and a few IV's since then. It still works well. I'm not a great port patient, either--I don't flush it every month, but it works every time I need it. I chalk it up to good port-luck. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[blindhearted]

They can last up to 10 yrs I heard. Mine lasted 7 yrs and the doc told me that was amazing. And I flushed mine every single month. Didn't miss.

Anon, they also check the scar tissue around my old port (not just for the cath part) and decided it would be okay to put it close by. The cath part as I said had too much scar tissue so they made a new tunnel. It all depends on the surgeon's opinion and how your body produces scar tissue. But yes they can put it close by if everything looks good

 

[Burn]

I've only had mine for about 3 years <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif" border="0"> The docs looking at it today. I'll let you know what she says about it.

 

[Allie]

Ry had his for 9 years before it was replaced, so you never do know.

 

[Burn]

Well looks like we are now looiking into getting a new port.