posted
I am contemplating IV therapy. My LLMD has suggested either a port or a groshong catheter. Although he has patients who do either one, he noted that in his experience, ports tend to get blood clots much more often, and that the infection rate of the Groshong catheter is not much greater than the port.
I have spoken to other doctors (not LLMDs, though) who say basically the opposite: that the groshong involves a long-term break in the skin that makes for a higher risk of infection, and that blood clotting should be no worse.
I would appreciate hearing peoples' experiences with either the Groshong or the port, and in particular about any experiences with blood clotting or infection. Thank you!
Posts: 12 | From Palo Alto, California | Registered: Apr 2012
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
I had a port for over a year. I never had an infection. It was easy to cover with t shirts.
It slowed down once and I had to have it flushed and checked to make sure it was in place
I could pull the needle myself when I was not on seven day med cycle. The could shower without covering up. I could take it out on vacation and my doc gave me oral meds to cover.
Other than that, I had no problems.
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
I have had a port since February this year. No problems at all.
I infuse 5 days a week and shower/sauna on the days the needle is out. I can even access the port myself now. I still have the nurse come out to make sure everything is okay.
I still take orals, but they kill my stomach. IV has been lots easier and I love my port. I have dogs, horses and chickens so a picc line would have been a disaster for infection potential.
Port is easy to keep clean. No issues with any kind of clotting.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Infection rate is supposed to be lowest with the port. This is a plus.
You asked about risk of clots. Unfortunately, my port has clotted 6 times since placement January 4th 2012.
I am absolutely disgusted about this. It interrupts my treatments. It is expensive, frustrating, difficult, and time consuming to get the clots cleared.
I am a well educated person. I am caring for the port properly. Most people's ports never clot.
I've been told that some people tend to make more fibrin and clot more easily. I am one of the unlucky few who will fight to keep the port clear to be able to use it. I infuse antibiotics 2-3x daily and use high dose heparin. I still clot.
We can't predict if you will clot or be one of the lucky ones. I hope for your sake that you will be in the majority and not clot.
I can tell you, I had a Groshong PICC for over a year and NEVER had a clot. A piece off the outside end of that PICC broke and I had to get a new one. Hospital replaced it with an open ended Power PICC Solo. That one clotted and required cathflo often.
If/ when I have to get this implanted port replaced (hopefully it will last 10+years, fingers crossed for good luck). I will request a port with a groshong catheter.
Groshongs are special because they have a valve at the tip and they can help prevent clots. They are usually made of silicone some hospitals chose not to use them because they may not last as long as they new poly catheters.
The type of Groshong that your doctor was referring to was the valved cathether and the type of placement of the central line in the clavicle/base of the neck area.
This is such a personal decision. You should discuss your options with a good general or vascular surgeon. If your LLMD does not recommend one, call a local well known oncology practice and find out who they refer their patients to. Then you will get an experienced surgeon.
Good luck to you Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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