ArtistDi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 2297
posted
I have had several picc lines for years, and now it appears my veins are not going to be able to sustain one. After attending to mine because a blood return wasn't possible, it was pulled. The radiologist suggested a hickman or a port, because I take both IV antibiotics and IVIG.
I am leaning towards a port, because I don't like the idea of a hickman hanging from my chest. However, all those pokes for a port are bothersome, too. I would like to know how others have fared with a port, and how many times a week it was accessed.
I pulse my meds three times a week. Thank you in advance. Di
Posts: 1567 | From Hatfield, MA, USA | Registered: Mar 2002
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My husband has had a port for 4 years. It was first put in for cancer chemo, and then did double-duty for IV abx.
Thankfully, there have been no problems so far. When he was doing IV abx, the home health nurse would come once a week to change the dressing and access it. We did the drips ourselves. To shower, he used Aquaguard patches to keep the area dry.
I don't know if you do saunas, but he did not do this with the port in. No one told him not to, but he was concerned about the potential for infection under the dressing with all that sweat.
I think so much of how things turn out depends on the professionals you work with. We were very fortunate to have had a very skilled surgeon put the port in, and a fabulous home health nurse. I firmly believe this made all the difference.
Hope I've addressed some of what you're wondering about.
Viva
Posts: 532 | From southeast US | Registered: Oct 2005
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
I had a power port for 16 months. I can't really compare it to a Hickman since I only had the port.
Yes, the weekly pokes to change the needle aren't fun, but if you use Emla Cream, it doesn't make the poke bother you quite so much.
I too had a visiting nurse come out once a week to change the needle. And as Viva says, I too used Aquaguard to keep it dry during a shower.
Also, if you can pull the needle earlier in the week after your last dose, you can take a shower or bath with no concerns of getting it wet since the port is under your skin. There's only a problem when it is accessed in needing to keep it dry.
I was told NOT to do a sauna while the needle was accessed. Perhaps due to the sweating aspect? I don't know since I just didn't do them when told not to.
I was told to have a Interventional Radiologist install the port since they will have a camera connected that they will see the whole process of where they are placing the port. Others often place it, then will x-ray and if it isn't right, redo it. This was much easier than what some had dealt with.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it works out for you.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
I also have a port. The fact that when it is not accessed you have complete freedom to do baths swim or anything else you might want to do is a major plus. It is the best option if you are going to have long term treatment. I am also an RN and have lots of experience with piccs and ports I do Oncology and IV tx. Ports are great because you can leave it in even when your not using it and go back to your normal activities. It's like a little friend that you can always count on when you need it. I am able to access my own because of my profession and I don't even use the cream, the poke really does not bother me but everyone is different. It can be very sore and uncomfortable after it is placed but once it heals and is used a bit the sensitivity goes away. I am infusing three times a day so I have to keep mine accessed all the time. The protocol is to have the needle and the dressing changed every seven days. It is a sterile procedure so a home health nurse would do it or you would go to an infusion center and have it done there. I access mine usually twice a week just so I can have a break from having the needle in. We have patients that come to the clinic and have the port accessed and then de accessed daily depending on their treatment and that is perfectly fine to do. It seems the more you have it accessed the less sensitive it is. You could also ask to have a power port placed which then could be used if you had to have any cat scans done with IV contrast.
Posts: 253 | From CA | Registered: Jun 2011
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posted
Another thing to think about is that if you finish treatment and decide to leave the port in you will have to have it flushed with heparin every 4-6 weeks. So there is a little maintenance to consider.
Posts: 253 | From CA | Registered: Jun 2011
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scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31907
posted
I had a Hickman line (but had it pulled recently due to site infection.) Long story short turned out I was allergic to all adhesive, Chloraprep and Biopatch... so the blisters on my skin eventually made the exist site infected.
Anyhow... the reason I did not go w/ the Port vs Hickman is I need to have IV 1-3x per day. That means the port has to stay accessed 24/7 and changed once a week. To me that is no difference than having the Hickman dangling from your chest. With the port you have to go under general and there will be two incisions, and when you're done you have to go under to get that removed! The repeated poking hurts and will leave scar tissue. Now if you were getting chemo and only need it accessed a few days per week then that would be ideal. But to me the port didn't make sense.
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
It sounds like you will be needing IV access long term since you are on IVIG. A port would probably be your best option as it could be used for several years.
Hickman's and PICCs are generally used for a couple months to a year. If I were in your situation (which I may be very soon), I would go ahead and get a port.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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