I have not posted on here before but I have learned some valuable information and what information I have learned has been a godsend to me even if some of it scares me out of my mind.
My doctor and I finally agreed on a central port for Intravenous antibiotics. This should have happened about 3 years ago because no combination of oral antibiotis and there were MANY was not enough but I did not have health insurance until now.
Can Anyone tell me what to expect and anything that helps make any of this easier to cope with. I am trying to stay hopeful but I feel like this my last resort. I just want at least some semblance of a normal life back after 5 years of having nothing even close to normal. I Guess What I am saying is I am really scared.
[ 03-21-2014, 04:38 AM: Message edited by: Robin123 ]
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Hi - I broke up your text for easier reading for many here -
I have witnessed many people in support groups with ports, so it does happen.
Others with experience will be along soon to make comments and help you through. You have come to the right place!
Posted by droid1226 (Member # 34930) on :
Don't be scared, it's easy. Keep it flushed and clean. Always.
You'll forget it's in after a few days.
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I don't have a PICC or Port but do IV through a line in my forearm.
I do not like having a hep lock in me and it is almost a phobia but it is helping me a lot with my neuro lyme.
Something that helps me, and maybe it will help you, is I tell my body,
"This is temporary, and it is for my benefit. I need this. I am thankful I have this and I am thankful the IV meds are helping me"
I also thank my veins for helping my entire body, and tell my body it is strong when I infuse.
It might be silly but it helps me cope with the idea of something attached to me.
Sometimes when my veins get sore I hold them and thank them for working so hard.
it sounds fluffy, I know, but it helps me come to terms with it.
Droid is right. Keep your site clean and dry always.
I have made so much progress with IV abx. I hope you do as well. Posted by oceangirlSA (Member # 40873) on :
I have had a Hickman line in my chest for 18 months and I have had no problems (touch wood) with it.
I have a nurse that comes once a week to change my dressing.
I cannot get it wet so I bath instead of shower, and put the tubes in a plastic bag that seals and tape it to my chest.
I flush it every day and clean it well. So far so good.
My son is getting one put in on Monday and he is terrified too!
The thing that I did not expect was that it was quite painful after the surgery, but within a week, the pain was gone.
They gave me sedation to have it done.
Best of luck! Its been a life saver for me!
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Nobody could hate medical stuff like this worse than me, but I did it anyway. Just try to look at it as saving your life.
Posted by Redhead1108 (Member # 43116) on :
Thank you for your helpful comments.I certainly know that I am not the only one to do this but that doesn't mean I want to have it done. Like you said Poppy I know it is saving my life and in the end that's the most important thing not just for me but for my husband and two sons.
OceangirlSA, what is the difference between a central port and a Hickman line and GretaM, what is a hep lock? In the beginning of my diagnosis I did all kind of research but that just made things so much worse if any of you know what mean!
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
I have had my port for over two years now with no problems. I have a Bard Slim power port.
A hickman has a line that comes out of the port and is capped off when you are not using it. You must cover that area to bathe so that it does not get wet.
My port must stay dry when accessed but when I am not infusing several days a week and the huber needle is out, I can shower and get it wet.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)