I just wanted to say my answers are pretty much the same as everyone elses except for me accessing it doesn't hurt at all. Its a quick prick, less than getting blood drawn and then I usually forget its there. When ever I'm on IVs I get all my weekly blood work drawn from my port. The only thing I have trouble with is they usually don't get blood return when its first accessed, but after a couple doses of meds it gets perfect blood return. I've been told this isn't real common but I've never had any problems with clotting or anything. I would also say ask your surgeon about your options as far as location goes. Part of the reason I waited so long to get one was because I didn't want it up in my chest where it would be real noticable. My surgeon was awesome and was able to put it lower in my rib area kinda on the side. The only time anyone can see it is when I have a bathing suit on. Its honestly the best thing I've ever done, I wish I would have done it a long time ago! Good luck with yours!
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port questions
- Thread starter nicolemarie2010
- Start date
nicolemarie2010
New member
Thanks for all of the info.
nicolemarie2010
New member
Thanks for all of the info.
nicolemarie2010
New member
Thanks for all of the info.
N
ncyra399
Guest
I just had to chime in on this as well. I had a port for 5 years (to the day) and it was great when it worked. Nothing can ever work for me the way it's supposed to because that's just the luck of my family. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But.. being able to do home IV's was great. Especially when they were in portable containers and not hanging from an IV bag. I'd go everywhere. I don't remember mine hurting all that much except during the first week or so if I was in the passenger seat of the car - seatbelt went right across it. I wanted mine somewhere less noticeable, but it ended up in my right upper chest - right above my right chestal area. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Mine was more noticeable than some because I was so skinny. But, most people didn't pay much attention.
I didn't have any luck with the EMLA cream and I just stuck it out. It doesn't hurt much to get stuck - it's just the initial sting and then it's gone. I to was supposed to flush it every month if it wasn't being used. Mine liked to close up, but it was because of some funky thing (can't remember the name), not clotting. They did do blood draws out of my arms for troughs, but they just wanted to make sure it was "clean" blood and didn't have any drugs in it. HA!
Ohhhhh - as far as showering goes... I used Saran Wrap Cling Wrap! NO KIDDING!! IT works great and you don't have the pain of all that tape getting ripped off all of the time. You may want to put some light tape around the edges, but that's it. It's less of a pain in the butt then the Aqua guard and Tagaderm - easier if you have sensitive skin too!
I hope that helps!! Good luck either way!
I didn't have any luck with the EMLA cream and I just stuck it out. It doesn't hurt much to get stuck - it's just the initial sting and then it's gone. I to was supposed to flush it every month if it wasn't being used. Mine liked to close up, but it was because of some funky thing (can't remember the name), not clotting. They did do blood draws out of my arms for troughs, but they just wanted to make sure it was "clean" blood and didn't have any drugs in it. HA!
Ohhhhh - as far as showering goes... I used Saran Wrap Cling Wrap! NO KIDDING!! IT works great and you don't have the pain of all that tape getting ripped off all of the time. You may want to put some light tape around the edges, but that's it. It's less of a pain in the butt then the Aqua guard and Tagaderm - easier if you have sensitive skin too!
I hope that helps!! Good luck either way!
N
ncyra399
Guest
I just had to chime in on this as well. I had a port for 5 years (to the day) and it was great when it worked. Nothing can ever work for me the way it's supposed to because that's just the luck of my family. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But.. being able to do home IV's was great. Especially when they were in portable containers and not hanging from an IV bag. I'd go everywhere. I don't remember mine hurting all that much except during the first week or so if I was in the passenger seat of the car - seatbelt went right across it. I wanted mine somewhere less noticeable, but it ended up in my right upper chest - right above my right chestal area. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Mine was more noticeable than some because I was so skinny. But, most people didn't pay much attention.
I didn't have any luck with the EMLA cream and I just stuck it out. It doesn't hurt much to get stuck - it's just the initial sting and then it's gone. I to was supposed to flush it every month if it wasn't being used. Mine liked to close up, but it was because of some funky thing (can't remember the name), not clotting. They did do blood draws out of my arms for troughs, but they just wanted to make sure it was "clean" blood and didn't have any drugs in it. HA!
Ohhhhh - as far as showering goes... I used Saran Wrap Cling Wrap! NO KIDDING!! IT works great and you don't have the pain of all that tape getting ripped off all of the time. You may want to put some light tape around the edges, but that's it. It's less of a pain in the butt then the Aqua guard and Tagaderm - easier if you have sensitive skin too!
I hope that helps!! Good luck either way!
I didn't have any luck with the EMLA cream and I just stuck it out. It doesn't hurt much to get stuck - it's just the initial sting and then it's gone. I to was supposed to flush it every month if it wasn't being used. Mine liked to close up, but it was because of some funky thing (can't remember the name), not clotting. They did do blood draws out of my arms for troughs, but they just wanted to make sure it was "clean" blood and didn't have any drugs in it. HA!
Ohhhhh - as far as showering goes... I used Saran Wrap Cling Wrap! NO KIDDING!! IT works great and you don't have the pain of all that tape getting ripped off all of the time. You may want to put some light tape around the edges, but that's it. It's less of a pain in the butt then the Aqua guard and Tagaderm - easier if you have sensitive skin too!
I hope that helps!! Good luck either way!
N
ncyra399
Guest
I just had to chime in on this as well. I had a port for 5 years (to the day) and it was great when it worked. Nothing can ever work for me the way it's supposed to because that's just the luck of my family. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> But.. being able to do home IV's was great. Especially when they were in portable containers and not hanging from an IV bag. I'd go everywhere. I don't remember mine hurting all that much except during the first week or so if I was in the passenger seat of the car - seatbelt went right across it. I wanted mine somewhere less noticeable, but it ended up in my right upper chest - right above my right chestal area. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> Mine was more noticeable than some because I was so skinny. But, most people didn't pay much attention.
<br />
<br />I didn't have any luck with the EMLA cream and I just stuck it out. It doesn't hurt much to get stuck - it's just the initial sting and then it's gone. I to was supposed to flush it every month if it wasn't being used. Mine liked to close up, but it was because of some funky thing (can't remember the name), not clotting. They did do blood draws out of my arms for troughs, but they just wanted to make sure it was "clean" blood and didn't have any drugs in it. HA!
<br />
<br />Ohhhhh - as far as showering goes... I used Saran Wrap Cling Wrap! NO KIDDING!! IT works great and you don't have the pain of all that tape getting ripped off all of the time. You may want to put some light tape around the edges, but that's it. It's less of a pain in the butt then the Aqua guard and Tagaderm - easier if you have sensitive skin too!
<br />
<br />I hope that helps!! Good luck either way!
<br />
<br />I didn't have any luck with the EMLA cream and I just stuck it out. It doesn't hurt much to get stuck - it's just the initial sting and then it's gone. I to was supposed to flush it every month if it wasn't being used. Mine liked to close up, but it was because of some funky thing (can't remember the name), not clotting. They did do blood draws out of my arms for troughs, but they just wanted to make sure it was "clean" blood and didn't have any drugs in it. HA!
<br />
<br />Ohhhhh - as far as showering goes... I used Saran Wrap Cling Wrap! NO KIDDING!! IT works great and you don't have the pain of all that tape getting ripped off all of the time. You may want to put some light tape around the edges, but that's it. It's less of a pain in the butt then the Aqua guard and Tagaderm - easier if you have sensitive skin too!
<br />
<br />I hope that helps!! Good luck either way!