Any alternatives to port a cath?

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elisa60
elisa60 Member Posts: 88
edited July 2018 in Just Diagnosed

Anybody can tell me if there any alternatives instead of having a port a cath that I can discuss with my doctor. I know that I need chemo started soon. I need to know if there other ways that can be just as good without the port.

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  • Ingerp
    Ingerp Member Posts: 2,624
    edited July 2018

    I've just been getting regular IVs. I'll have #11 of 12 Taxols this Friday and haven't had any issues.

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited July 2018

    It never hurts to ask if you can do an IV or even a PICC line.It depends on the chemo, as well. Some chemo like Adriamycin needs to be infused through a port to avoid chemical burns to the skin and/or tissue if the needle accidentally infiltrated the vein.

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  • KCMC
    KCMC Member Posts: 208
    edited July 2018

    I opted not to have a port. I have good veins never had a problem with a blood draw. I started chemo July 2017 TCHP every 3 weeks then just H&P after that for a year. My last infusion number 17 is August 8th. I drink a lot of water which helps, around 70 ounces a day. I realize this is not for everyone.

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  • moth
    moth Member Posts: 4,800
    edited July 2018

    I had adriamycin & all the rest of my chemo through an IV. Some centers seem to really worry about adriamycin but most people here get it through an IV. They're very good about starting IVs & the adriamycin is done as a push rather than a drip so they're watching that vein like a hawk the entire time.

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  • Lula73
    Lula73 Member Posts: 1,824
    edited July 2018

    I had port a cath for a different cancer and it wasn’t a big deal. The advantages when it comes to chemo is that you’re not damaging veins in your arm, it’s a sure stick the first time every time, they can even draw blood work from it.

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  • Mquara
    Mquara Member Posts: 85
    edited July 2018

    I had TCx4 and had a PICC line inserted the first 3 times. They could not do it the last time. The nurses tried to do an IV but couldn’t find a vein so they had to go into my right arm but had to get permission from my MO because I had lymph nodes taken out. It took 3 hours to start chemo. I don’t regret doing it with PICC lines but I would have had issues if I had a different chemo schedule.

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