Pain after chemo port placement

LoverofJesus

Hi everyone! Had my chemo port put in yesterday.

I am not in excruciating pain but it is pretty sore. When I get up it’s painful and move it is. I think this is normal but I just want to make sure that it is. I have not lifted anything like they told me not to. But I have not restricted much movement on that side. I slept on my back or the other side last night.

I just want to know what others experienced. Because the paperwork you come home with is not super specific.

Thank you guys for being here.

Poppy_90

I was definitely sore for a few days after port placement. It did feel better though after. Although I was already aware of it, if that makes sense. Sending you lots of good thoughts. You’re almost exactly one year behind me.

gb2115

Mine really hurts too. I had it put in yesterday. Tylenol does help, but ouch!!! The tube snaking over my collarbone is kind of sore too.

ShetlandPony

Mine hurt for a few days near my collarbone if I made a certain movement with my lower jaw!

LoverofJesus

I for sure had pain after port place. Ice packs helped a lot.

Sending prayers.

Kimbie1139

I had mine put in last Friday. It was hard sleeping the first 3-4 night and had to take Tylenol for a little pain. It is much better now. Just itching. Hang in there. You will feel better soon

PAMamaAndMore

The first few days after port placement were definitely sore. Ice packs and the pain pill prescription they gave me helped (taken only at night and only for 5 days). When after a week my whole arm and shoulder area still had a dull ache and the whole arm was a light pink color, I reported it ro my surgeon who sent me for a doppler. Turns out she had used a "nice, big vein" for the catheter and the other veins in my arm couldn't handle the redirected blood flow so I had to go on blood thinners to prevent potential clots. I was extremely disappointed that on top of my system soon to be flooded with chemo drugs, I had to start taking a daily blood thinner. I had never been on any sort of regular medication in my life. I have to take them the entire time the port is in...one year. It's annoying to have to remember to take them every day, (especially with chemo brain) but the blood thinners haven't caused any major problems after almost 2 months and did resolve the aching arm and discoloration. I do have to be careful around knives, etc. I write this as a heads up that if you have continued aches or pains a week or more after the port placement, talk to your surgeon to see if blood flow issues could be the reason. Also, my surgeon does not do port placement in the chest area; she always places them in the arm next to the arm pit. The positives are that it's less noticeable (e.g. if you wear a v-neck or tank top) and the subsequent scar will also be less visible, but I think the port placement in my arm is why I ran into blood flow issues in my arm. Doesn't happen to everyone, but happened to me.

msphil

Hello all yes I was sore for awhile few days with pain killer then manageable. Arm lifting restrictions.was also in place but I thank God for the port better than in my veins that disappeared before port. Hope this helped. msphil IDC stage2 0/3nodes 3mo chemo before and after Lmast got married was planning at diagnosis then 7wks rads then Honeymoon then 5yrs on tamoxifen. Praise God now a 27yr Survivor.

Elderberry

I didn't have much pain after the port was put in, unless I lay on my right side or did heavy lifting. Seat belts are still an aggravation if I only have a light garment on. It is fine if I am driving but as a passenger it can get uncomfortable. I keep a little chunk of padding material beside the passenger seat in my SH's car. Two years in.

LoverofJesus

Elderberry,

Do you ever get to lay on that side??I have had mine almost a month and I still can’t lay on that side to sleep. It doesn’t hurt it’s just uncomfortable.

I want to lay on that side so bad. Does that get better. In fact anyone that can answer this I would be grateful.

gb2115

I would like to know this too. I'm a side sleeper and with the port on one side, and mastectomy on the other...

LW422

LoverofJesus--I think as with everything else, we all have varying experiences with the port. I can sleep on "that side" now, but it took a few months. I still have some weird feelings in my neck/jugular vein occasionally and had them check it with a doppler; it was fine but still annoys me from time to time.

blue22

It took me quite a while to get used to my port. I had troubles sleeping and with seat belts for what seemed like a long time. I remember initially it was quite painful.

In the long run, it was worth it. I still have it and don't notice it at all.

Elderberry

Hi, I can lie on that side now. I cannot remember how long it took. It was awhile. Sometimes it seems to get itchy or tender. I have no regrets having one. .

Elderberry

I should add that sometimes the strap on my crossbody purse rubs the wrong way. I guess I could cross it over my other shoulder but I am such a creature of habit and I think it would feel awkward reaching into it.