Ports

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CowTown

New member
For the people who have a port, do you like it a lot? Was it a relief to not deal with peripherals and PICC any longer?

I read an old thread started from Emily about best places to put a port. I learned a lot from that thread, it was great!

I've decided to go with a port. Hopefully it'll be placed tomorrow. I'm on my 5th (count them 5!) peripheral IVs since Friday! My veins just keep blowing. Typically I get a PICC right away from the IR, but this week their machine has been down. They told me yesterday that the soonest they could see me would be sometime next week. Meanwhile, my ivs keep blowing everyday. It's been a really lame situation to say the least. ANyways, I have decided to go with a port now instead of just another PICC, but am wanting to see just how many people DO like their port.

Relief or no?

Thanks for anyone's feedback.

Oh, and.........I want general anesthesia!!!! Can I ask for this, instead of getting a local? I am at my wits end with pain and anxiety, just want GA. What do you think?
 
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Emily65Roses

New member
Okay, well it's me! Surprise surprise! Haha. I love mine and will say so until the end of the world. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> Course, I'm biased, because I never had a PICC that stayed in my arm longer than 7 days. I had many replaced within a short two-week span of IVs because my arms HATED them. So my port is like... heaven's needle? Or something. I don't know. But for a medical device, I LOVE IT!

I didn't get general anesthesia, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't just use a local. Ouch! I had sedation (also probably with a local, if I had to guess). My mom calls them "twilight drugs" and I don't remember a d*mn thing from any of it. I remember going in, and waking up, and nothing inbetween. I suppose you can ask for general anesthesia, but they <i>always</i> try to avoid it with us, because they're afraid of putting anything in our lungs blah blah BLAH etc. If you really want it, ask. If you've had it before and had tolerated it well, there's no reason not to.

I remember when I had my hysterectomy, they wanted to do an epidural so they avoid general. I was like... uhh... needle in my spine? Yeah, no, you're knocking me out. And it's not like I was having a baby, they were just ripping out inanimate pieces. Hahaha. So I made them give me general. It can be done. BUT if they use <b>other</b> than <i>just</i> a local (like sedation, kind of "la la land" drugs), you should be fine. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Good luck.

I will warn you, for me at least, the recovery <u>sucked</u>. Probably part of that for me is that mine was right on top of my ribs. So everytime I coughed it was like *CUT, TEAR, RIP* etc. Less than fun. And it took a while to heal because the tissue does not like foreign objects being sewn in. BUT this will tell you something about what I personally think of ports. Even despite all that, the pain, the time it took, etc, I still would get another port in a split second. I LOVE it. Convenience, independence, etc etc. You get all of it. Kay I'm done now. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif" border="0"> Any other questions, comments, I'm sure I'll come back and rant some more. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">
 
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spicyone18

New member
I agree wit Kylie on this, they are great until somthing goes wrong. In Feb I finially decided to get a port, after 9 attempts of getting a PICC started. Then this month it got infected and I had to have it removed,put in hospital and started at square one again. Mine got infected because I guess I didn't have enough skin covering it and the actual port was coming out. But even with all this mess, I'm getting another one. Good luck with it!
 
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NoExcuses

New member
Good luck, Kell. I'm SO SORRY that you've been having trouble with the IR and the PICC machine. What a pooper! Like it's not enough that yor'e overwhelmed with your MAC and the rest of your life - your veins have to give you trouble. Grrrrrrrr.

Keep us posted on how the port goes. I'll be thinking about you.

P.S. Do they finally have WiFi at the hospital or are you using the community computer?
 
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catboogie

New member
kelly,

grr...i hate that your ivs are giving you trouble. i think most of us can all relate to having bad iv experiences. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0"> good luck with the port. i have never had one but i would definitly do it if i started needing more iv antibiotics. anything to reduce the number of needles going into my arm! you know, i think it's almost worse psychologically than physically sometimes with the needles (unless you are talking picc line attempts that leave you with junkie veins) -- it takes a toll on your soul or something. let us know how it goes.

question for the rest of you: do all ports stick out from your skin? i can't get over thinking how that would seem to get in the way or something.

laura, 27
 
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AmyKins

New member
I love my port...like many people my arms could not take one more PICC or I.V.
I would def. get one- its so much less stressful when you do have to go into the hospital when you don't have to deal with getting a PICC line put in first. Gettting it is was no big deal, just a day visit.
 
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anonymous

New member
I love my port.....I went back and forth for so many years...I hate needles, but my vanity was REALLY a lot bigger than my hate for needles. Everytime I needed IV's I would tail spin out of control because they could never get a line....sometimes they would stick me 12 times just to get a vein that would last one day...I had a picc line once, but after that they could never make it advance again. GRRR.

so, after what seemed like forever (realy 2 years) my doc and parents convinced me that I had no other choice....my one friend with cf had been telling me it was the greatest thing ever, but I just could not deal with it...I felt like I was admitting I was getting worse. I was an actress in LA at the time and I was dead set against having one that was obvious...so they put it in my groin. I LOVED it!!!!!! I am germphobic so from the beginning I flushed it myself and will never look back.......

The groin one only lasted three years....I have since had another one placed and I love that on even more...it is in my breast and can not be seen at all....it took me two months to get the flushing down since it is impossible to see and even difficult to feel.....that of course, is my fault because I didn't want anyone to see it...ie casting directors.

If I had known then what I know now, I would have gotten a port five years sooner. It has given me the independence that up to that point I had only enjoyed with the vest.....

I used to think that I didn't get ivs enough to justify the port....maybe 1 or 2 times a year, if that. I was nuts....and now I can tell you I was not seeing the beauty of the port.

And that is my port story.
mandy
 
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CowTown

New member
One of the nurses said she didn't think you could use your new port for a while after it's placed b/c you have to wait for it to heal first. Is this true? How long did you have to wait until you could use it? And, did they place a PIC at the same time as the port so you could use that until the port heals?

What a pain in the booty.

Also, I got word this morning that they DO use a local and sedation, which is wonderful to hear.

I do'nt like the fact that infection can happen so easily. I asked my nurses about how often they think infections happen with ports, and they have all said it's quite rare. As long as you flush it regularly once a month, it more then not is fine for long term. I dont know if they really know what they're talking about though.

I want to go for having it placed in my chest, I guess. I'm thinking of the best place for someone who doesn't have a lot of meat on their bones. I dont really want it to stick out and bump stuff (yikes!) and I want it to work well. The only thing I'm wondering is that I have a scar from where I used dialysis which might be in the same spot as where the port goes, right under my collar bone. I don't know if that will cause a problem.

My 5ht peripherial is starting today already and it was placed last night. I hate the thought of letting a floor PIC nurse try to put a PIC in my arm b/c last several times I did, I told myself never again! But now, the IR machines still don't work and I'm running out of veins and I really don't want an iv put in my friggin foot!

Thanks for everyone's feedback. This site has the most amount of info when it comes to needing advice for certain things. It's amazing. All my nurse gave me was a little xeroxed 3 pager that isn't enough. This is where all the info and experience really is. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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CowTown

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>amy</b></i>

P.S. Do they finally have WiFi at the hospital or are you using the community computer?</end quote></div>


Hi Amy, I just found a DSL outlet last night. I'm SO excited about that, can't even tell you. I saw your blog today but can't seem to post in blogs while in here. I did want to say congratulations about getting a Mac! I would easily say I'm a computer geek as well.....but only a Mac computer geek. Mac is all I know and I love them. 100% of my work is on the computer, but I love it. PCs are complete foreign language to me though. So have fun!
 
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Emily65Roses

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>MyNewfy</b></i>
One of the nurses said she didn't think you could use your new port for a while after it's placed b/c you have to wait for it to heal first. Is this true? How long did you have to wait until you could use it? And, did they place a PIC at the same time as the port so you could use that until the port heals?</end quote></div>
They actually accessed my port right after the put it in, to make sure it worked. I didn't need it right away (they tried to place it when I was at my best, so it wouldn't be an issue), but as far as I was aware, I could've used it at any time. So I didn't need a PICC, but I had a peripheral, so they could give me meds during and after the procedure, and stuff.


<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I do'nt like the fact that infection can happen so easily. I asked my nurses about how often they think infections happen with ports, and they have all said it's quite rare. As long as you flush it regularly once a month, it more then not is fine for long term. I dont know if they really know what they're talking about though.</end quote></div>
I don't know about that. I've never had one, and I've had my port for... 4 years now. That's not to say it NEVER happens, but I know of a time or two where Mike or I have been a little less than *perfectly clean* while doing it (a hole in the glove, or whatever), and I'm still going fine.

Again, do come back if you wish for me to rant some more. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0"> And come back to tell us how it goes once you're out.
 
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spicyone18

New member
I don't thnk infections are common. Mine only got infected b/c the actual port had broke through my skin. And I know of this happening is VERY rare, cause even my doctors where like omg thats the actual port right there! Mine was right under my collar bone, so if I were you I would pick the meatest place so it doesnt break through. Anyway good luck!
 
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littledebbie

New member
When i had my port placed they did the twilight thing...so much fun
I remember it, but not the pain. I just remember talking and
talking and laughing and them laughing at me and i remember knowing
a rib was just cracked and I heard it and felt kind of a
"tug" but seriously no pain....I thought it was
hilarious!!!!  And when I asked yo was that my rib?  They
were like uhh you are a little too awake...give her another
dose....I thought that was funny too and that's the last I remember
of that procedure. Then i woke up and it was accessed and running
like a champ and I used it the remainder of my stay..about another
2 weeks.  I loved mine the entire time I had it.
   
 
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becca23

New member
I got a port placed in December, after 11 attempts to start a PICC and 3 attempts under fluoro. I love it. The only think I dislike is that it is placed quite high on my chest so therefore it show all the time ie bathing suits, tank tops.. My next one will be placed a little lower. Yes, you can use it immediately after it being placed, the only thing my cf docs said was to make sure they access it while you are still numb and don't care because it is very tender. I would defintily recommend getting one.
 
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CowTown

New member
Yah Debbie...geez. You got a few snorts from me as well. Too funny!

As far as putting the port where there's meat, I can barly pinch a full pinch full of meat on my chest under my collar bone. There's muscle from coughing there and not much meat. Oh well, I guess they might pick the best location.

I did get word that I should have it placed on Monday. The "vascular" people will be doing the surgery. He said b/c I had a dialysis thing placed once in that area, they might access my artery via the neck.....? Hugh? Anyone had this done instead of going straight from the chest?

Debbie, why do you not have yours anymore? How long before they took it out?

I feel better now about the whole infection thing, thanks! As long as it's rare, that's all that matters I guess.

Anyone had a peripherial in their foot?
 
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spicyone18

New member
I've had to have perpherial in my feet. Specially when I was younger. One time I when I was younger they tried numerous times in my hands and arms and couldn't get one started so they put it in my foot, then what do you know when i got back to my room I tripped on my line and yanged it out! So they had to put one on my head!!
 
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CowTown

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>spicyone18</b></i>

I've had to have perpherial in my feet. Specially when I was younger. One time I when I was younger they tried numerous times in my hands and arms and couldn't get one started so they put it in my foot, then what do you know when i got back to my room I tripped on my line and yanged it out! So they had to put one on my head!!</end quote></div>


Ohhh Courtney, that really sounds terrible. Hope you didn't have to go through that twice.
 
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