Going on 2 1/2 yrs now and getting a little nervous. Did 3 rounds of IV Rocephin and next to start IV Cefuroxime (sp?). I think I'm running out of IV meds as options and wondered how long people kept their Ports. No problems with it to date.
thank you!
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
I am not sure this kind of information ought to be on a public board. Can be used by the black hats, who will surely not approve. And when anyone does have problems, those guys don't help, and use it against the lyme docs.
Would you consider just asking the question, and editing out how long you have been with the port? And then people could reply by pm?
I know this might seem paranoid, but things posted on lymenet have been used against us in the past.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
For general information. If you take good care of your port, it can serve you well for many years. How long depends on how many times it was accessed.
The septum does eventually wear out from all the weekly punctures and it eventually fails.
My surgeon said that his chronically ill patient had a port that lasted for 10 years! I think that's awesome!
So expect a port to last for many years to come!
Posted by tailfeathers (Member # 39328) on :
Thank you both for your input. People are welcome to PM me if they wish. There is a great deal of detailed info on this board and I was looking for other people's experiences.
I got my Port in Oct/13, did 9 mths of IV meds then last yr did 5 mths so 14 mths in just over 2 yrs. Thx sammy, that's what I figured, will continue as per my doc's advice, just wondered what people did on this board.
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Hi tailfeathers! During my 4 years of remission, I worked as an oncology nurse and I had many many patients with port a caths. Most are in the chest but have had a few in the arm! We had a patient who sadly ended up passing from her cancer, but she fought hard for a long time! She had her port for 14 years! Unless it gets infected or clotted off somehow (with regular heparin use it should not), ports can last for a very long time. Always remember to report s/s of infection, redness, swelling, pain, discharge, etc.
Posted by tailfeathers (Member # 39328) on :
Thank you Ocean!! Yes, I have mine accessed once a month and flushed w/ saline + Heparin. Fingers crossed, so far ok. Plan to use it soon for IV's.
Yay to your remission but you're experiencing a flare-up? Sorry if that is the case, I remember your name for a few years ago. take care!
Posted by bluelyme (Member # 47170) on :
Did you need hubor needle attachments when using it a lot? How long did it take to heal ? Is it better than picc or hick
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Tailfeathers, yes unfortunately. Ugh...I thought I had the whole lyme thing bagged for those years. back to the fight now! I am sure you will love you port for IV's. using ice prior to accessing can reduce the pain from the needle. Or some people buy lidocaine, but it is expensive!
Bluelyme, we always pushed for our patients to get a port if they would be using it for a long time. Your general mobility is increased with a port as you do not always have to stay accessed, whereas a PICC line, the line is always in you. You must wrap your arm for showers or baths, you cannot swim with a PICC. Also, I have seen many patients who develop a sensitivity to the adhesive used in the PICC dressing. We would get creative and try all different types besides the tegaderm. Sometimes duoderm would work, but not always. Skin would become very red irritated and slough off leaving large patches of skin. However if it is just for a couple months, a PICC would be fine.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
One thing to think about, when on antibiotics, no matter what type of infusion device you choose, you will be using it daily unless your IV antibiotics are pulsed with a couple days off.
Also, home health nurses are great helps if you do end up having problems with your dressings. The best and easiest way to prevent problems in the first place is to always use skin prep under the whole dressing area. This will keep it from drying out and prevent trauma from adhesive.