Port pain

Basia

Hello,

I just had my port put in this morning and it hurts! Is this normal? Should I be concerned?

I am having a hard time swallowing and moving my head. It doesn't seem to be getting better as the day goes on. The nurses at the dr's office said this was all normal and should only last a day or so, but I feel so miserable with this.  Please tell me it gets better.

Thanks. 

shells43

Hi Basia,

Good to hear from you again. What happened to your DCIS diagnosis? Sorry I've not been keeping up. Did they find IDC after the BMX? Poo.

Yes the neck stiffness and pain is strange, I agree. I thought I was getting a sore throat, and even called the nurse the next day about it, but it was just the port. There is a catheter up one of the large vessels in your neck now and you might perceive it as being like a lump in throat. It will go away with time. You will probably hurt in your chest for the next week and have that sore throat feeling for 3 or 4 days. Try sleeping with some pillows to prop you up or in a recliner for a few nights. If you have pain meds, take them. You'll be happy to have your port after your first chemo. Right now it isn't much fun for you. Sorry you have to go through this, it will get better though. Give it a least a week.

Blessings and hugs!

Shelley

Cowgirl13

Basia, I had a lot of pain with my port when i first got it.  I could barely get out of bed--it was like a train hit me BUT it did get better.  just took about a week.  If you have any doubts, call your onc again.  Good luck.

PS  i finished my last herceptin in July!! 

Basia

Cowgirl, yay! no more herceptin!  How does it feel to be done with this?  I will be getting herceptin for a year,not looking forward to it. Did you have any side effects from it?

Cowgirl13

Basia, the year of herceptin was very doable.  The only thing i really noticed was a drippy nose but now that's almost gone.  When I first started herceptin, i thought a year was so long.  Its amazing, time does pass.

One thing you should keep in mind for all your chemos + herceptin, have them NUMB THE AREA ABOVE THE PORT (sorry for the caps). It was standard procedure at my oncologists but you have to ask for it sometimes or get the Emla creme (check this out on the HER2 site--if you can't find it let me know).  Especially since you just received your port--it will settle down in a while.  

Keep us posted!