Ports and exercise

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collector
collector Member Posts: 193
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness
Ports and exercise
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  • collector
    collector Member Posts: 193
    edited June 2008

    My port was inserted on May 14 and used for my T/C treatments on May 19 and June 9.  So the port has been in for about a month.  At my infusion on Monday, the nurse doing the blood draw commented that the port site was still swollen.  The onc agreed but just said it would take time.  I like to go to the gym each day for walking on the treadmill and to lift a few weights.  When I can, I like the step aerobics classes, too.  MY question is, should I be avoiding the upper body lifting while I have this port in?  I have been lifting very moderately (6 lb weights) and using the resistance machines at much lower levels than I did prior to BC.

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  • bomber410
    bomber410 Member Posts: 564
    edited June 2008

    I don't do much with weights myself.  I know I should.  When my port was in, I did a lot of running, walking and some mountain biking.  I never had any problem.  But I also learned on this site that ports are put in slightly different locations it seems.  So, who knows.  Maybe your port is in an awkward spot.

    I'm sorry I am not more of a help.

    Debbie 

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  • dhettish
    dhettish Member Posts: 501
    edited June 2008

    Hi Collector,

    I don't think exercise bothers the port. I did upper body weights and even push ups until the chemo would not allow me to do anything. Sometimes my port would bother me but it would go away. With all I did, (exercise, transplanting shrubs and trees), I never had  a problem with my port. You do get scar tissue where it is sewn in and sometimes that pulls and hurts but it did not last for long.

    Keep up the exercise as tolerated because there may come a time when you may not be able to exercise due to fatigue. It happened to me and I was unable to exercise for about 3 months when I was on Taxotere. As soon as I was able, I got back into it with modified routine.

    I just had my port out and my expanders put in on Tuesday and so now I cannot exercise for 10 days. I just got 4 new workout DVD's and am anxious to get started again.

    Debbie 

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  • collector
    collector Member Posts: 193
    edited June 2008

    Thanks for your reply.  I will go back to using my arms more tomorrow at the step class and then maybe some weights on Sunday.  I just know that if I give up my exercise routine, it will be that much harder to tolerate the muscle and bone pain now and to get back to better levels of exercise later.  The port site seems less swollen to me today.

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  • bluewillow
    bluewillow Member Posts: 779
    edited June 2008

    Hi Collector,

    I've had my port since last August (finished chemo in Jan., still doing Herceptin), and at first, mine too was red and swollen, but that soon subsided.  It was SO annoying at first and painful, but now, it's not that bad.  I am an archer/bowhunter, and I shoot my compound bow with no problems.  It requires lots of upper body strength, using chest and back muscles, and shooting it doesn't bother my port at all.  Good luck to you and it will get better!  Hang in there and GOOD FOR YOU for staying in shape!

    Mary Jo

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  • Cathy-CA
    Cathy-CA Member Posts: 686
    edited June 2008

    Is your bra rubbing on the port when you exercise?  I wear a plastic clip that pulls my bra straps together in the back so it's more like a sports bra and that keeps it well away from the port.  I've had mine in for almost six months and exercise regularly without any problem.  I'm finished with chemo and in the middle of radiation and have done very well with both which I attribute to exercise.

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  • collector
    collector Member Posts: 193
    edited August 2008

    No, I don't think it's rubbing.  I did do the step aerobics  class this morning and used my arms a lot and the port site seems OK.  I'm wondering if I just have to be more careful for a few days after it's been accessed. 

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