posted
I am going to have a Port-A-Cath put in my chest in two weeks (after 3 failed PICC lines) and wanted to know if anybody who has one can tell me about what to expect. I really do not know anything about them or how they work so any input would be greatly apreciated. I was also wondering what they looked like and where they are placed on your chest. I tried looking online and couldnt really find anything.
Thanks, Lindsay
-------------------- "One day at a time"
Current: -1.2 IM bicillin three times a week -1.25 IV Vancomycin every day -IV glutathione and IM B12 -Byron White since Jan. 2011 -ALA, Yasko protocal, Adapten-All, thyrosol, Pekano, phosphalipid exchange, probiotics, oregano... Posts: 390 | From FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2007
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My 21 year-old daughter had a Port-A-Cath put in about 6 weeks ago after 1 failed PICC line. She likes it much more than the PICC line. It's easier to access and she doesn't have the line hanging out of her are.
Hers was placed on the left side of her chest just an inch or 2 below her collar bone and approximately 3 inches over.
She could have had it placed on the right side but she is right-handed and felt it would be easier on the left side.
It was done as an outpatient procedure but she did have general anesthesia. The incision is about 2 inches in length.
The Port-a-cath is placed underneath the skin and it does show as a slight lump under the skin. It is completely covered with skin and a needle is placed through the skin into a resevoir in the device and held in place with plastic clips and a type of tape covering.
She actually decided to learn how to insert and remove the needle herself and after a little practice she has become very good at it. She didn't want to have to rely on the visiting nurse to do this just in case it didn't fit in with her schedule.
It was a little touch-and-go the first few times...a little queezy...but she's glad she stuck with it.
She will leave the needle in for 2 or 3 days at a time. Even with the needle inserted she could go out of the house and do "normal" things.
She was even able to snowboard this winter with the Port-a-cath inserted but with the needle removed.
After it's been in for 10 days or so you can still be as active as you want.
If I'm conveying anything here, let it be this... she is much much happier with the Port-a-cath than the PICC line.
The great news is that she's been on IV Rocephin 2grams / once a day and it's beginning to help her. Her unrelenting headache is beginning to diminish for the first time in over a year.
About 2 weeks into the Rocephin she had substantially increased pain in most of her joints. We figured this was her first herx and it was a good one. After her joint pain started to diminish her headache started to reduce also.
She was mis-diagnosed for over 7 years but she's finally making progress.
She is on other meds for Lyme and Babesia but the Rocephin seemed to make the most difference.
For those interested...my daughter's LLMD is Dr. R in NYC and we think he's the greatest. He really made my daughter feel comfortable and at ease and he has helped her through some tough times.
After some of the doctors she's seen over the years this was a big plus. I know most on this board can relate.
Wishing you well and I'm sure after "3" failed PICC lines you'll really like the Port-a-cath.
Take care, Paul.
Posts: 80 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2008
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posted
Hi,LuLu. My daughter has had a port-a-cath, so I'll try to help.
It is a little round disc with a kind of rubber gasket in the center and a catheter attached. The catheter is threaded through a vein and the disc sits just under the skin. It can be on either side of the chest, in fact her surgeon said it can be placed in other areas, but she wanted it on her chest. Her's was just under her collarbone, a little above where her armpit was. You will have to be put to sleep and go through recovery--day surgery. The surgeon will probably place a huber needle in and put a dressing over it. You will have stitches.
You will have some discomfort because it is surgery after all. She never had a pic line, so I can't tell you what the difference will be between what you experienced with your pic line and your port-a-cath. Once it heals, it is much easier to deal with.
If you are going to start infusing right away--like that day or the next, the surgeon will surely put the huber needle in for you so your home health nurse won't have to. The huber needle is a bent needle about 3/4 of an inch long that is attached to a tube. The needle will go through your skin and into the rubber gasket. The nurse will have to feel for the gasket so she will know where to stick the needle. Then a dressing will be placed over the needle to stablize it and keep it sterile. The tubing hangs loose unless you tape it.
Maintaining the port-a-cath and infusing will probably be the same as with your pic line. The nurse will come at least once a week to check you and change the huber needle and dressing. My daughter could change her own huber needle and dressing, but I don't think most patients can do that.
If you have any problems with adhesives, you should let the infusuion company know so they can try to give you the right dressings. My daughter always has a reaction to adhesives,but some work better that others. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, I will try to answer them.
Good luck.
Posts: 177 | From God's Grace | Registered: Apr 2007
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Thank you so much for all of the great information. I think I will enjoy it more then having a PICC line and all the complications that come with them. I know this may seem like the last thing I should be worrying about right now, but did the 2 inch incision leave a big scar? I am also glad to hear that you can leave the same needle in for a few days, I was worried about having to stick myself twice a day to infuse.
I am also glad to hear that your daughter is improving on IV Rocephin. I also improved on that medication but it had to get stopped prematurely do to my PICC line being pulled from a nurse accidentally pulling it out. Dr. R is a great doctor that is skilled in treating chronic lyme disease so I think your daughter is in good hands. I almost went to him but decided not to for financial reasons.
Sparrow,
THanks for all of the details about the Port-a-cath. I was told that I wouldnt be under general anestesia so I wonder if my LLMD wasnt correct. What kind of ashesives are used to cover the cathader? I wasnt aware that adhesives were used to cover the needle. I have very sensitive skin so I cannot use tegaderm or opsite dressings. I am also alergic to chloraprep. Since the adhesive is on can you shower with the neddle in or do you have to cover it up?
Thanks, Lindsay
-------------------- "One day at a time"
Current: -1.2 IM bicillin three times a week -1.25 IV Vancomycin every day -IV glutathione and IM B12 -Byron White since Jan. 2011 -ALA, Yasko protocal, Adapten-All, thyrosol, Pekano, phosphalipid exchange, probiotics, oregano... Posts: 390 | From FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
Does anybody else have any photos of what a port-a-cath looks like? I am very tiny and am afraid that it will be a huge lump in my skin . I am 23 and it kind of freaks me out to have something on my chest!
Has anybody else had this procedure done without general anestesia? I am not sure if my LLMD was wrong or I will not be sedated. Also, does anybody know if the risk of clots decreases with this type of port? I had a clot in my last PICC line even though I was taking coumadin so I am worried about developing another one.
-------------------- "One day at a time"
Current: -1.2 IM bicillin three times a week -1.25 IV Vancomycin every day -IV glutathione and IM B12 -Byron White since Jan. 2011 -ALA, Yasko protocal, Adapten-All, thyrosol, Pekano, phosphalipid exchange, probiotics, oregano... Posts: 390 | From FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2007
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I am 17, and I have a port-a-cath as well. I lost a lot of weight due to Lyme- so I can see the port a little bit but it's not that bad! I was really worried but I have been wearing my typical shirts and look fine...
No one even knows I have it unless I show them. It's a simple surgery and they even did mine under local since I had problems with anesthesia before.
Good Luck with your port!
I haven't had any problems so far and my story is very similar to yours- I had 4 picc lines!
Victoria
Posts: 82 | From New York | Registered: Feb 2007
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Everyone has given you great info, so I'll just add a couple of things. This is based on my husband's port, which was put in for cancer tx.
If the port is on the left, then when you drive, the shoulder harness will be over it. My husband keeps a wash cloth in the car, which he folds and puts in between the shoulder harness and his shirt, and this works fine.
Husband has not found the port to be restrictive in any way. The bump is visible, but it's nothing to worry about.
He had some soreness for a few days after the surgery. He was advised to put one of those re-usable ice packs on it for 20 minutes at a time. This resolved quickly, and there's no discomfort now.
It does make infusions so much easier!
I know it's natural to worry, but I think you will be pleased. I'm excited for you that you will be trying a new approach in your treatment, and I wish you all the best. Please let us know how it goes!
Viva
Posts: 532 | From southeast US | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Lulu, the adhesive is on the clear dressing that you stick on over the needle to hold it in place and keep everything sterile. And the nurse or you will have to cleanse it when it is time to change the needle. The nurse used betadine to get it ready for a new needle.
The bump under your skin is hardly noticeable. My daughter is 24 and she still wears tanks and strapless clothing.
The scar is not bad. In fact when she felt better at one point, she went to a tanning salon and used a special oil--Xotic Xplosion Gold--that helped.
Posts: 177 | From God's Grace | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
Fatigued, Thanks for the links. Great info about ports.
Victoria, Thanks! I have been worried about getting mine done under local anestesia since everybody seems to have had general. I am glad you can stl wear your same clothes.
Viva, Thanks for all the useful info. I will keep everybody updated on how things go.
Sparrow, The dressing used seems similar to what was done with my PICC line. I am glad the scar and port isnt that noticable, I also wear tank tops alot because I cannot take the heat. i will have to try that oil out when I feel good enough to tan.
Thanks for all the help. Lindsay
-------------------- "One day at a time"
Current: -1.2 IM bicillin three times a week -1.25 IV Vancomycin every day -IV glutathione and IM B12 -Byron White since Jan. 2011 -ALA, Yasko protocal, Adapten-All, thyrosol, Pekano, phosphalipid exchange, probiotics, oregano... Posts: 390 | From FLORIDA | Registered: Jun 2007
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. I am 23 and it kind of freaks me out to have something on my chest!
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