This is topic What KIND of port is best for IV abx for Lyme? Any feedback? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
 
There are several choices for what kind of port. I'm sure I would want a single lumen. I was thinking plastic, not metal, so if an MRI were ever needed, I could get one. I'm also thinking silicone catheter, rather than polyurethane.

Also, I'm looking at the exact placement of the port, so, ideally, it wouldn't interfere with a backpack (not heavy!), and so it wouldn't show so much with low-cut shirts. The last two may not be possible Any feedback?
 
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
 
Sorry to giggle here.. but I can picture you trying to tell the surgeon all those instructions... and his/her response.

Looks like you've done some studying on it. Maybe others can help. I never had a choice when I got ready to be "hooked up", so I am useless on this topic. Sorry.

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Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
 
I know, I know . . . It sounds neurotic! It's just that I'm really sensitive and have horrible reactions to things, and also, I care how it looks!

Of course, in the end, looks aren't the biggest thing. But I suffered with so much pain and so many problems for the 5 months I had the PICC line before I had to have it pulled (it started leaking).
 
Posted by Hopeful2010 (Member # 22958) on :
 
I wish I had done more research before I got my port. I got it as quick as my doctor gave the ok because I was sure that he would change his mind. I would have preferred to not have metal in it. Mine is called a power port.

I have mine in the upper right chest area and it is hidden most of the time. When I have a needle in it, it's really the bandage that shows. If I got creative I could probably find a way to cover the bandage.
 
Posted by knshore (Member # 13451) on :
 
I have a chest wall port. It is a power port. Mine doesn't have metal in it. I know because I am able to have MRI's and there's no problem. I've had many and have never been stuck to the inside of the MRI machine. [Smile]

I'm pretty thin so my port even when it's not accessed shows a little bit, but not nearly as much as when it's accessed.

Having said that, I don't know how you would be able to carry a backpack with a port if it's accessed.

I don't know how often it would be accessed (mine is 7 days a week; I change the needle, dressing, etc. every 7th day because I infuse daily), but if it's the same as me, I don't know how you'd be able to carry a backpack.

I know for sure I couldn't carry a backpack with both straps on while mine is accessed.

Oh, also, mine is on the right side, like hopeful said.
 
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
 
Yeah, I would have mine accessed most of the time, too. So, I guess no backpacks or backpack purses (which is the only kind of purse I use). Guess I'd have to do a purse on the other shoulder. (I live in a city where you walk everywhere, and you carry your groceries, no cars for shopping).
 
Posted by smiles132002 (Member # 7949) on :
 
There are so many different types of ports but the one i opted to go with according to my surgeon causes the least amount of scarring, is made out of saline plastic, and after it heals you can get back to non contact sports.

I have hickman but there are several other name brands for it. It's a needleless system and about 6 inches of tubing comes out of your chest. It's inserted surgically and your body grows into a cuff that prevents it from being pulled out of your body, My also has two different antibacterial/microbial pieces in it to prevent infection.

Pro's is that after 6 weeks no dressings are needed (which are super expensive) If you're allergic to plastic I would recommend asking for covaderm dressings NOT tagaderm. It's needleless so you can just twist the tubing together and infuse. The end of the hickman is compatible with all flushes and tubing. You will have two tiny scars the size of 2 milimeters. As long as you cover it you can swim or workout. You can hide it pretty easily. I worked for 15 months when I had it in and no one ever knew. You can also get MRI's or CT scans with no problem. THey actually x-ray you after surgery to make sure it's placed correctly.

Con's is that you have 6 inches of tubing coming out of your chest. It can be temperamental and you can have problem trying to get blood from the line. Or the line may run your infusions slower because scar tissue can get wrapped around the end of the line preventing the medication from going through it normally. And of course you must be put under to have this inserted which opens you up for bacterial infections. I recommend having a dose of rocephin given to you right before surgery.

I just had another hickman put in 4 weeks ago. I am very happy I decided to go with it again.

Good luck
 
Posted by lymie tony z (Member # 5130) on :
 
I've actually had much better success ratio's with Inter-Muscular Injections.

But...in past experiences with IV's.

I have had plastic in the upper arm of left side as I am right handed....

Daily injections and of course I tried an automatic doseing box....

I did'nt care for that although it's easier in some respects...

one has to hang around the house more often...and the box rather gets in the way....

good luck
zman
 
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
 
zman,

What kind of injections, Bicillin?

And what's an automatic dosing box? A continuous IV?

I had PICC line, which I assume is what you had before, but I had lots of pain with it.
 


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