Port pain

Suesfineart

I appreciate all of the answers to questions in this forum... I have yet another one.... My port has been a off and on again source of pain.

Tomorrow, I go to my second chemo (TC). I am certain that accessing this port will be the most painful thing and I'm not looking forward to it.

Last treatment (my first), i had the port put in and also the first chemo... they allowed it to be accessed so that was no problem, but I had to have an infusion of saline two days later. The nurse accessed the VERY NEW port and I lit up... thought I was going through the roof.

Now, the pain continues off and on.. today it's pretty bad.. applied lidocaine and taking ibuprofen. I am VERY concerned about accessing this bad boy tomorrow.. wondering if the length of time the IV is in affects the veins or the number of times it's accessed.

The nurse said that some chemo drugs play havoc with the veins, not sure if my taxotere and cytosine do that.

Any information, ideas are very welcome and thanks in advance.

groucho2

Suesfineart, how did your second chemo go? Did you get any answers/solutions about the port pain you are having? The type of pain you describe is not normal. If I'd seen your post a few days earlier, I'd have encouraged you to call your oncologist or at least talk to the oncologist's RN. Now, I'd just like to know how you're doing.

{{{Hug}}}

Suesfineart

Hi, Groucho, thanks for your concern.... Took me awhile to answer. The port was removed a few days ago. The pain I experienced was indescribable. It hurt to move at all. Getting up from a seated position, getting into and out of bed. I couldn't dress myself without my husband's help. The minute it was out, I felt relief. Now, only one more chemo. I should be able to do that through IV>