Port-a Cath pain?

irfiz, you might want to wait a few more days to see if the pain continues to abate.

The "math" doesn't seem to add up to you, but it's not just the chemo IVs themselves that the port saves. It saves your veins. Some of the chemo drugs are extremely caustic and can destroy your veins. I didn't have a port for my original chemo and I regret it. Some of the veins in the one arm that can be used are hard and the few that aren't hard tend to "roll" when someone tries to access them. Since the mets dx my treatment is Femara (daily pill) and Aredia (bone drug - monthly infusion) but I've had a port put in this  time. Before it was put in, it took SEVEN TRIES to get a vein for one of the infusions. That's not one incompetent person trying to get a vein, that's the nurse trying twice, the pcp trying twice and then the pediatrician finally getting it after a few tries. So  the equation of "is it worth it" ought to include every blood test and infusion for the rest of your life. Which I hope is long.

I hope you're feeling less and less pain every day. I am not trying to minimize what you're going through now, just trying to give you some perspective on this.

Best of luck with the chemo. I wish you minimum SEs and maximum benefit from it.

Leah

P.S. In case I wasn't clear - I didn't mean that you'll need the port for every blood test and infusion for the rest of your life - I meant that after chemo when  the port is out, any blood tests and infusions would be much easier.

Thank-you all for your encouragement.  I kept the port-a-cath in, cried my way through another few days, blubbered to my oncologist about it, and everyone kept assuring me that the port was definitely worth keeping.  The pain lessened considerably by the second week and now only burns or stings occasionally throughout the day.  I have severe fibromyalgia (overly sensitive nerves) which is the likely culprit behind such a bad reaction.  I now know that "deep" surgeries, such as my mastectomies, where nerves were severed leaving behind numb patches, are a lot easier for me to handle than "shallow" inserts just under the skin, where there are innumerable nerve endings to whip into a 'fibro' frenzy.  I agree that vein preservation is critical.  I learned repeatedly from my oncologist, nurse practitioner, and IV nurse just how EXTREMELY caustic some of my chemo meds are and how they can cause serious tissue damage.  They basically scared me into keeping the port.  I'm glad they did.  I already have trouble getting IV's started.  Usually takes 3 or more sticks, and then my vein tends to 'blow' after just a minute or two.  Thanks again for your support. 

Hi there,

Are you feeling better now that it has been over a month?  Hope so! 

I just had my port put in on Mon 6/20.  I had to go to the emergency room that night for extreme chest pain and shortness off breath.  Dr. said it was residual blood from surgery and my oxy. level was in the 80's?? but I am still having pain when I breath deep and if I lean over too much it feels like I am having a heart attack!  Guess I will be calling the Dr. again tomorrow!  I am with you, this was the worst part of everything I have been thru so fo-Lumpectomy and lymph node removal were a breeze!

Has anyone had their Port-a Cath put in wrong?   My mother recieved a port-a cath after her lumpectomy for use during chemotherapy.After months of pain and some scary symptoms after each Port-a Cath access ( loss of function in left arm and leg, dizziness,) it has been determined that her port was inserted into the artery not the vein.  My question is how common is this? Are there tests for the doctors to do that insure that the port has been placed correctly before use?  We are so confused at this point. 

They determined it is absolutely placed incorrectly and it is being removed, a chest x-ray and blood gas gave them the answer.  They had been using it since May for chemo and as an access during a hospitol stay due to some complications related to chemo.  At this point we do not even know what questions to ask as we try to move forward.

It appears the cath has sent all meds directly to her brain.

I was hoping someone had heard of, or had this experiance.  I am learning that this is mostly un-heard of. There are cases of the cath going through the vein and perhaps nicking the artery.  We are still gathering information and mothers  port-a cath will be removed sometime this coming week.  She is on blood thinners so must wait until they have been stopped and cleared of her system. Thank You for you input.  What a lovely group of caring people.

My 1st port was a nightmare!  Placed in Nov '11, it was removed Feb '12 after my left arm swelled to 2x its size.  The IR said it had occluded my subclavian artery.  Further, the surgeon attached it to my sternum (big ouch!) and the port tipped on its side, making it nearly impossible for the nurse to use.  Each infusion was a search involving 4-6 sticks with that big needle.  The swelling was noticeable within a month after insertion, but the ONC didn't know what to think, so he gave me Lasix that further dehydrated me during chemo!  Following removal of the port, I had 2 angioplasty procedures to open the affected veins and arteries, including the insertion of a stent into the subclavian.  My final Taxotere infusion went into my right hand (by this time, I couldn't have any needles or even BP on the left side) and literally burned through my veins to my skin.  I developed lymphedema in my right arm after the mastectomy, so in May '12, I had a 2nd port placed (this time on the right) so I could finish my herceptin infusions (they still can't use my left arm).  I still have pain where the 1st port was, where my breast/lymph nodes were (of course) and where the new port is.  The new port is attached to the 2nd rib (normal placement), but a good night's sleep is still a thing of the past, and my various arm movements at work trigger all sorts of odd pain, as well.  I guess I'll just keep taking the Vicodin...who can walk around with warm / ice packs on their chest all the time?  But you gave me hope, my fellow survivors, thank you!

Geez Cindy! That sounds horrible. Please call the doctor and get a prescription for a pain med. That is unacceptable. You are not alone with this situation, but please do tell them your needs!! 

Thinking of you, and hoping you have a decent night of sleep!

I went to my new Coumadin clinic today and was telling them about how the sedation didn't work on me and they said of course it didn't. You are on Dilantin. It counteracts the sedation. I am so upset the hospital didn't know this or check on me under the blue tent during the procedure.



Was anyone's upper incision right on the collarbone? I'm one week post op and am still having a lot of uncontrolled pain. It hurts to breathe deeply.



I go in tomorrow to remove my sutures. Hopefully they will have some answers for me.

I am new here...Hello all! Prayers and positive thoughts to you all! Now for my question: Had my power port removed last week, YEA! but...where it was in my neck still feels like it is there, when I turn my neck it's like I can feel it and can see it... scar tissue?

Thank you

I'm in the same boat as you. Having mine installed in my left arm tomorrow. Wondering if I can drive afterwards? Thanks!

The hospital where my port was put in does not allow anyone to drive themself away from the hospital. Someone has to physically come to discharge and sign that they were driving. I did not drive that afternoon/evening. I did drive myself the next morning to my first chemo - no problem at all.

We are each unique - what is 'right' (or 'wrong') for one is not necessarily what ALL will experience.

I was given a,s ript for oxy when left the hospital - did not need it at all but Hubby insisted it had to be filled and I take it "because Doctor said to take so I didn't have pain". I humored Hubby and did take it 2 times but when he WOKE me up from a good sleep because "it was time to take another one". I definately used some very 'colorful' language, did not take it and went back to sleep. All I 'needed' a couple of times was OTC Tylenol.