So, I got my port put in on Jan 1. It hurt for two weeks to move (stretch, turn, just exist), and that pain has ended. Now though, it still hurts to touch or press on port. I keep accidentally hitting it. It looks like it still is bruised on port site. Where the catheter is at doesn't hurt. Although, you can totally see and feel the tunneled line. It looks like a vein sticking out. I am not complaining about it, just something that's noticeable. Anyway, my question is this: How long is it going to be tender to the touch? Is it because I had IVs after getting it placed that is making it still sore/bruised? Do you ever get to a point where you don't constantly notice it there? Am I just noticing I'm hitting it because it's still sore or does it really stick it out enough that I am actually hitting it a lot? I'm not trying to be a complainer, because I can deal with it, but I am just wondering if it ever gets to be like it's so much part of my body that I don't notice it.
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port questions
- Thread starter Jeana
- Start date
So, I got my port put in on Jan 1. It hurt for two weeks to move (stretch, turn, just exist), and that pain has ended. Now though, it still hurts to touch or press on port. I keep accidentally hitting it. It looks like it still is bruised on port site. Where the catheter is at doesn't hurt. Although, you can totally see and feel the tunneled line. It looks like a vein sticking out. I am not complaining about it, just something that's noticeable. Anyway, my question is this: How long is it going to be tender to the touch? Is it because I had IVs after getting it placed that is making it still sore/bruised? Do you ever get to a point where you don't constantly notice it there? Am I just noticing I'm hitting it because it's still sore or does it really stick it out enough that I am actually hitting it a lot? I'm not trying to be a complainer, because I can deal with it, but I am just wondering if it ever gets to be like it's so much part of my body that I don't notice it.
Incomudrox
New member
While I don't have a port I do have a G-Tube. In a way it's was a similar situation starting out. I can tell you in my experience with the G-Tube it becomes part of you and you don't even think about it (at least I don't). Hopefully overtime you will start to forget it is even there.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Incomudrox
New member
While I don't have a port I do have a G-Tube. In a way it's was a similar situation starting out. I can tell you in my experience with the G-Tube it becomes part of you and you don't even think about it (at least I don't). Hopefully overtime you will start to forget it is even there.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Hey Jeana,
I will speak for myself & say my port has become much less noticeable to me.. This is my 3rd year with this port.
Im sure the pain will ease up in time, but if not I would mention it to your dr.
I also can see the line in my neck, but have pretty much gotten used to it..
Sometimes, like with bad weather, I think it could ache a little, may be in my head though lol
I hope you get many years for good use from your port !
Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni
I will speak for myself & say my port has become much less noticeable to me.. This is my 3rd year with this port.
Im sure the pain will ease up in time, but if not I would mention it to your dr.
I also can see the line in my neck, but have pretty much gotten used to it..
Sometimes, like with bad weather, I think it could ache a little, may be in my head though lol
I hope you get many years for good use from your port !
Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni
Hey Jeana,
I will speak for myself & say my port has become much less noticeable to me.. This is my 3rd year with this port.
Im sure the pain will ease up in time, but if not I would mention it to your dr.
I also can see the line in my neck, but have pretty much gotten used to it..
Sometimes, like with bad weather, I think it could ache a little, may be in my head though lol
I hope you get many years for good use from your port !
Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni
I will speak for myself & say my port has become much less noticeable to me.. This is my 3rd year with this port.
Im sure the pain will ease up in time, but if not I would mention it to your dr.
I also can see the line in my neck, but have pretty much gotten used to it..
Sometimes, like with bad weather, I think it could ache a little, may be in my head though lol
I hope you get many years for good use from your port !
Take care <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> joni
Hi Jeana,
I think my experience was pretty similar to yours with the port. It was rather painful for the first couple of weeks. After that, it wasn't too bad, but I remember noticing it a lot and not being able to sleep on that side without pain for a long time. That eventually went away, though, and now I don't even notice it except it can be tender for a few days after it's been accessed. When it's not used, it really is like it's not there.
I can also feel where they "tunneled through" up to my collar bone, although I don't know that it's visible.
Hope you don't have any trouble with it and get used to it quickly!
I think my experience was pretty similar to yours with the port. It was rather painful for the first couple of weeks. After that, it wasn't too bad, but I remember noticing it a lot and not being able to sleep on that side without pain for a long time. That eventually went away, though, and now I don't even notice it except it can be tender for a few days after it's been accessed. When it's not used, it really is like it's not there.
I can also feel where they "tunneled through" up to my collar bone, although I don't know that it's visible.
Hope you don't have any trouble with it and get used to it quickly!
Hi Jeana,
I think my experience was pretty similar to yours with the port. It was rather painful for the first couple of weeks. After that, it wasn't too bad, but I remember noticing it a lot and not being able to sleep on that side without pain for a long time. That eventually went away, though, and now I don't even notice it except it can be tender for a few days after it's been accessed. When it's not used, it really is like it's not there.
I can also feel where they "tunneled through" up to my collar bone, although I don't know that it's visible.
Hope you don't have any trouble with it and get used to it quickly!
I think my experience was pretty similar to yours with the port. It was rather painful for the first couple of weeks. After that, it wasn't too bad, but I remember noticing it a lot and not being able to sleep on that side without pain for a long time. That eventually went away, though, and now I don't even notice it except it can be tender for a few days after it's been accessed. When it's not used, it really is like it's not there.
I can also feel where they "tunneled through" up to my collar bone, although I don't know that it's visible.
Hope you don't have any trouble with it and get used to it quickly!
M
MCGrad2006
Guest
Mine was sore for about a month. I don't notice it anymore...hardly at all. I can see the catheter, but I don't believe others would notice that its actually a catheter. As far as the touching goes, you probably do notice it because it is more sore now. I will sometimes touch it accidentally while maybe brushing my hair and I will be like whoa...what is that? HAHA. So yes it does definitely "grow" on you.
M
MCGrad2006
Guest
Mine was sore for about a month. I don't notice it anymore...hardly at all. I can see the catheter, but I don't believe others would notice that its actually a catheter. As far as the touching goes, you probably do notice it because it is more sore now. I will sometimes touch it accidentally while maybe brushing my hair and I will be like whoa...what is that? HAHA. So yes it does definitely "grow" on you.
Yes I think you had delayed healing because of access but then again perhap that helps one not get an infection at the site. I think most poeple including myself got it put in in conjunction with using it. I'm a "sweller" and I had swelling/brusing after insertion and to have it accessed at that point was very uncool. I won't do it again if I have a choice. If you recall from my posts I mentioned to make sure to go go home with some pain meds. That first week or two was uncomfortable. After that each day will get better and by 4-6 wks you won't even notice it. Until you have to access it. For me it hurt like a mother to access the first year until I had scar tissue there and now it's just a small pinch for each access. When is your first flush appt set for? You might want to get some Emla cream in the house and apply it 30 min. prior to access. Also might help not to have the kids home or to have someone to watch them. Anything to keep your stress level down is good. Also I think the sooner you can learn to do it yourself the better. Personally it made me anxious and like I was sick (even when I was healthYy!) to have a home health nurse come to my house...and who knows what germs they were bringing to my house. As for the catheter. You can no longer see it but then again I'm 15 lbs heavier than I was when I got the port. It's one of those things you will grow to love. You are through the roughest part now. And the best part is no more PICCs or hospitals to start to IVs!!
Yes I think you had delayed healing because of access but then again perhap that helps one not get an infection at the site. I think most poeple including myself got it put in in conjunction with using it. I'm a "sweller" and I had swelling/brusing after insertion and to have it accessed at that point was very uncool. I won't do it again if I have a choice. If you recall from my posts I mentioned to make sure to go go home with some pain meds. That first week or two was uncomfortable. After that each day will get better and by 4-6 wks you won't even notice it. Until you have to access it. For me it hurt like a mother to access the first year until I had scar tissue there and now it's just a small pinch for each access. When is your first flush appt set for? You might want to get some Emla cream in the house and apply it 30 min. prior to access. Also might help not to have the kids home or to have someone to watch them. Anything to keep your stress level down is good. Also I think the sooner you can learn to do it yourself the better. Personally it made me anxious and like I was sick (even when I was healthYy!) to have a home health nurse come to my house...and who knows what germs they were bringing to my house. As for the catheter. You can no longer see it but then again I'm 15 lbs heavier than I was when I got the port. It's one of those things you will grow to love. You are through the roughest part now. And the best part is no more PICCs or hospitals to start to IVs!!
cfkellygirl
New member
I would say about a month too was how sore I was for. After that it hurt less and less. I hardly notice it anymore (had it 4 years) unless I loose weight and it sticks out, then things like the seatbelt irritate me. Other then maintaining a healthy weight I don't notice my port and I actually will have to feel around to find it.
Ask for emla (spelled wrong) cream before you get accessed if it still hurts, this way you will feel less of a sting.
Overall, time heals all just wait it out and you should be fine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Hope this helps a bit
Ask for emla (spelled wrong) cream before you get accessed if it still hurts, this way you will feel less of a sting.
Overall, time heals all just wait it out and you should be fine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Hope this helps a bit
cfkellygirl
New member
I would say about a month too was how sore I was for. After that it hurt less and less. I hardly notice it anymore (had it 4 years) unless I loose weight and it sticks out, then things like the seatbelt irritate me. Other then maintaining a healthy weight I don't notice my port and I actually will have to feel around to find it.
Ask for emla (spelled wrong) cream before you get accessed if it still hurts, this way you will feel less of a sting.
Overall, time heals all just wait it out and you should be fine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Hope this helps a bit
Ask for emla (spelled wrong) cream before you get accessed if it still hurts, this way you will feel less of a sting.
Overall, time heals all just wait it out and you should be fine <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Hope this helps a bit
I've had two ports. The first one as a teenager, placed on my upper thigh. Bad place, because even though after a few weeks it wasn't hurting "per se" it did hurt if a pencil fell on my lap in class. Then it was moved to the side an inch or so and it stopped hurting altogether. My current port is a couple inches below my collarbone. It did hurt some three weeks, but that was last year and now it's not hurting at all. Have some patience!
In general, I love having a port and I think it's the best thing ever! Such freedom!!
In general, I love having a port and I think it's the best thing ever! Such freedom!!
I've had two ports. The first one as a teenager, placed on my upper thigh. Bad place, because even though after a few weeks it wasn't hurting "per se" it did hurt if a pencil fell on my lap in class. Then it was moved to the side an inch or so and it stopped hurting altogether. My current port is a couple inches below my collarbone. It did hurt some three weeks, but that was last year and now it's not hurting at all. Have some patience!
In general, I love having a port and I think it's the best thing ever! Such freedom!!
In general, I love having a port and I think it's the best thing ever! Such freedom!!
M
mrsRLP920
Guest
Hi Jeana,
I don't have my port yet (getting it placed this coming Friday, 27Jan), but I just wanted to post here to let you know I was thinking of you. I hope that you are feeling better every day & that your port soon becomes "a part of you" that you don't think about until you need to access it.
I do have a question for you: I know everyone is different, but do you think that it would have been difficult for you to travel (by yourself) 10 days after you had it placed?? I need to travel for work 10d after I get mine & I'm nervous that it's going to be too painful to lift my bags & traipse with them through the airport (thankfully, it's a direct flight). I'm just wondering if I should request assistance from the airline...??? Also, did you take (& are you still taking) anything for the pain?
Saying a prayer that you are feeling better soon!!!
I don't have my port yet (getting it placed this coming Friday, 27Jan), but I just wanted to post here to let you know I was thinking of you. I hope that you are feeling better every day & that your port soon becomes "a part of you" that you don't think about until you need to access it.
I do have a question for you: I know everyone is different, but do you think that it would have been difficult for you to travel (by yourself) 10 days after you had it placed?? I need to travel for work 10d after I get mine & I'm nervous that it's going to be too painful to lift my bags & traipse with them through the airport (thankfully, it's a direct flight). I'm just wondering if I should request assistance from the airline...??? Also, did you take (& are you still taking) anything for the pain?
Saying a prayer that you are feeling better soon!!!
M
mrsRLP920
Guest
Hi Jeana,
I don't have my port yet (getting it placed this coming Friday, 27Jan), but I just wanted to post here to let you know I was thinking of you. I hope that you are feeling better every day & that your port soon becomes "a part of you" that you don't think about until you need to access it.
I do have a question for you: I know everyone is different, but do you think that it would have been difficult for you to travel (by yourself) 10 days after you had it placed?? I need to travel for work 10d after I get mine & I'm nervous that it's going to be too painful to lift my bags & traipse with them through the airport (thankfully, it's a direct flight). I'm just wondering if I should request assistance from the airline...??? Also, did you take (& are you still taking) anything for the pain?
Saying a prayer that you are feeling better soon!!!
I don't have my port yet (getting it placed this coming Friday, 27Jan), but I just wanted to post here to let you know I was thinking of you. I hope that you are feeling better every day & that your port soon becomes "a part of you" that you don't think about until you need to access it.
I do have a question for you: I know everyone is different, but do you think that it would have been difficult for you to travel (by yourself) 10 days after you had it placed?? I need to travel for work 10d after I get mine & I'm nervous that it's going to be too painful to lift my bags & traipse with them through the airport (thankfully, it's a direct flight). I'm just wondering if I should request assistance from the airline...??? Also, did you take (& are you still taking) anything for the pain?
Saying a prayer that you are feeling better soon!!!