Topic: mediport concerns

Towens,

I didn't have chemo, but mmy girlfriend is about to have a port put in - only she wants it in her abdomen. I'm sure others will chime in soon to help you get the answers you need... 

Hi Towens.  I had a port in my arm;  my hospital used this location as 'standard' (vs. the chest) so I did not have a decision to make.  I have very bad veins and wanted to avoid the "search and find sticks".

The port was put in on a Friday and I had my first chemo that Monday (FEB).  The next weekend I was in the emergency room with a swollen arm and tingling in my hand;  a blood clot developed in the port vein.  The doctors put me on a blood thinner (Lovenox.... to prevent other clots from forming) which I have to inject myself twice a day in the abdomen area.

They removed the port the same day as my last chemo treatment, I still have the clot, and I am still on the blood thinner.  The clot (chronic) will take time to absorb back into the body and I do not know how much longer I will be on the injections. 

From what I understand, most folks do not have major problems with the ports.  Let me know how it goes!

Hi towens,

I had my port put in, the left side of my chest July 2002--I did not know there were other places they could go, either.  On the 3rd day it itched so bad, I called the Emergncy Room, they thought I might be allergic to the material--however, I took Benadryl 100 mg and Motrin 800 mg and it settled it all down, I have not had any other problems with it, until it was not used for a year, and there was swelling around it and that went away.  I do need it for the navelbine and some of the other Chemo I have had to have--I think I will leave it in as long as it does not bother me.  I have a friend that has had hers in now for over 20 years. It is another surgery to have it removed I hear, and I am never ready for those!!!

Take care.

Linda C

Hi towens,

Hang in there 

It should get better and you won't know the port is there, til time for Chemo,

Keeping you in prayers!!!

Linda C.

You sound like me with port in my arm with the blood clots my last chemo was july 2 08 they will me removing it july 15 08 and that my first radiation appointment. i was hoping to get off bllod thinner.

I agree Ejay.  I am finding out that I am also allergic and sensitive to things I wasn't aware of.  I am also still experiencing some itching and soreness around my port area.  I had it put in on 6-12-08. I had chemo today and it is still sore when I have chemo.  The Emla cream isn't very effective.  I also had an allergic reaction to morphine after my mastectomy.  I was itching severely all over!

Thank you all for your prayers.  I am now adjusting to my recent hair loss.  I had braids and took them out on the 4th.  Take care.

towens88 

I had a power port placed 6/18/08 and it has only been used twice to get blood work and to be flushed.  Still have minimum pain and some pain later own after they use it but bareable.  I just found out yesterday about the cream and got rx.  Can't hardly feel but pressure when it has been used in onc office.