Ports

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Hello, everyone.

I'm currently averaging about two 3-4 week clean-outs per year and always go to IR to have a PICC placed cause I flip out when they "try" to get a PICC placed the usual way.

Anyway, I've been lifting weights lately and find my arms are getting bigger and more to the shape I want them to be. Because of this, I do not want to have a setback with my weightlifting regimine if/when I have to have a clean out. I notice whenever I'm inpatient or even at home doing IV abx, I do not want to lift very heavy weight... I KNOW I can lift some weight with a PICC, but not serious heavier weight that I've been working up to.

I know its maybe a silly reason to be considering a port... Just so my arm(s) don't get small when I do a clean-out, but I'm really considering it. Thoughts? Do you think its worth it if I only go on abx 2 times a year? The versed and big "production" I go through every time I get a PICC placed in IR is also a headache, so I guess it would alleviate some of that stress too.

Anyway, any opinions on my dilemma would be appreciated, as well as how often you go on IV abx (if you have a port) and how the accessing every month works, whether its painful or stressful for the squimish (me), etc.

I also feel like lately there are TONS of people on here getting very very sick (or worse) cause their port got infected. Is this a common occurance? My PICCs have always held up really well (touch wood), so to take the extra risk for a port scares me a bit. It seems much more serious and common that peoples' ports are getting infected.

Thanks!

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Hello, everyone.

I'm currently averaging about two 3-4 week clean-outs per year and always go to IR to have a PICC placed cause I flip out when they "try" to get a PICC placed the usual way.

Anyway, I've been lifting weights lately and find my arms are getting bigger and more to the shape I want them to be. Because of this, I do not want to have a setback with my weightlifting regimine if/when I have to have a clean out. I notice whenever I'm inpatient or even at home doing IV abx, I do not want to lift very heavy weight... I KNOW I can lift some weight with a PICC, but not serious heavier weight that I've been working up to.

I know its maybe a silly reason to be considering a port... Just so my arm(s) don't get small when I do a clean-out, but I'm really considering it. Thoughts? Do you think its worth it if I only go on abx 2 times a year? The versed and big "production" I go through every time I get a PICC placed in IR is also a headache, so I guess it would alleviate some of that stress too.

Anyway, any opinions on my dilemma would be appreciated, as well as how often you go on IV abx (if you have a port) and how the accessing every month works, whether its painful or stressful for the squimish (me), etc.

I also feel like lately there are TONS of people on here getting very very sick (or worse) cause their port got infected. Is this a common occurance? My PICCs have always held up really well (touch wood), so to take the extra risk for a port scares me a bit. It seems much more serious and common that peoples' ports are getting infected.

Thanks!

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Hello, everyone.

I'm currently averaging about two 3-4 week clean-outs per year and always go to IR to have a PICC placed cause I flip out when they "try" to get a PICC placed the usual way.

Anyway, I've been lifting weights lately and find my arms are getting bigger and more to the shape I want them to be. Because of this, I do not want to have a setback with my weightlifting regimine if/when I have to have a clean out. I notice whenever I'm inpatient or even at home doing IV abx, I do not want to lift very heavy weight... I KNOW I can lift some weight with a PICC, but not serious heavier weight that I've been working up to.

I know its maybe a silly reason to be considering a port... Just so my arm(s) don't get small when I do a clean-out, but I'm really considering it. Thoughts? Do you think its worth it if I only go on abx 2 times a year? The versed and big "production" I go through every time I get a PICC placed in IR is also a headache, so I guess it would alleviate some of that stress too.

Anyway, any opinions on my dilemma would be appreciated, as well as how often you go on IV abx (if you have a port) and how the accessing every month works, whether its painful or stressful for the squimish (me), etc.

I also feel like lately there are TONS of people on here getting very very sick (or worse) cause their port got infected. Is this a common occurance? My PICCs have always held up really well (touch wood), so to take the extra risk for a port scares me a bit. It seems much more serious and common that peoples' ports are getting infected.

Thanks!

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Hello, everyone.

I'm currently averaging about two 3-4 week clean-outs per year and always go to IR to have a PICC placed cause I flip out when they "try" to get a PICC placed the usual way.

Anyway, I've been lifting weights lately and find my arms are getting bigger and more to the shape I want them to be. Because of this, I do not want to have a setback with my weightlifting regimine if/when I have to have a clean out. I notice whenever I'm inpatient or even at home doing IV abx, I do not want to lift very heavy weight... I KNOW I can lift some weight with a PICC, but not serious heavier weight that I've been working up to.

I know its maybe a silly reason to be considering a port... Just so my arm(s) don't get small when I do a clean-out, but I'm really considering it. Thoughts? Do you think its worth it if I only go on abx 2 times a year? The versed and big "production" I go through every time I get a PICC placed in IR is also a headache, so I guess it would alleviate some of that stress too.

Anyway, any opinions on my dilemma would be appreciated, as well as how often you go on IV abx (if you have a port) and how the accessing every month works, whether its painful or stressful for the squimish (me), etc.

I also feel like lately there are TONS of people on here getting very very sick (or worse) cause their port got infected. Is this a common occurance? My PICCs have always held up really well (touch wood), so to take the extra risk for a port scares me a bit. It seems much more serious and common that peoples' ports are getting infected.

Thanks!

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Hello, everyone.
 
 I'm currently averaging about two 3-4 week clean-outs per year and always go to IR to have a PICC placed cause I flip out when they "try" to get a PICC placed the usual way.
 
 Anyway, I've been lifting weights lately and find my arms are getting bigger and more to the shape I want them to be. Because of this, I do not want to have a setback with my weightlifting regimine if/when I have to have a clean out. I notice whenever I'm inpatient or even at home doing IV abx, I do not want to lift very heavy weight... I KNOW I can lift some weight with a PICC, but not serious heavier weight that I've been working up to.
 
 I know its maybe a silly reason to be considering a port... Just so my arm(s) don't get small when I do a clean-out, but I'm really considering it. Thoughts? Do you think its worth it if I only go on abx 2 times a year? The versed and big "production" I go through every time I get a PICC placed in IR is also a headache, so I guess it would alleviate some of that stress too.
 
 Anyway, any opinions on my dilemma would be appreciated, as well as how often you go on IV abx (if you have a port) and how the accessing every month works, whether its painful or stressful for the squimish (me), etc.
 
 I also feel like lately there are TONS of people on here getting very very sick (or worse) cause their port got infected. Is this a common occurance? My PICCs have always held up really well (touch wood), so to take the extra risk for a port scares me a bit. It seems much more serious and common that peoples' ports are getting infected.
 
 Thanks!

just1more · Mar 30, 2009

Ok, I'll state in advance I am a big advocate for ports for anyone having to have IV meds regularly.

First of all the drawbacks:
*if you are not using it, it has to be flushed 1x/month, this takes one needle stick and about 20-30 minutes
*it does require surgery to put in, so from a CF standpoint, you have to tolerate general anesthesia
*pain for a few days after placement, but manageable
*there is a risk of infection (see below)

Benefits:
*no more PICC lines!
*you can access/deaccess yourself, at home
*you can leave the needle in for a week, or pull it out and shower/swim/ect and just put a new one in afterwards
*one needle stick every time, and since you are using the same spot you develop some 'tough skin' over the site; plus you can use numbing cream
*nobody can see it normally, often even if accessed; unlike a tube hanging down your arm <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
*did I mention no more PICC lines????

Ok, the infection risk you mention is very real, and almost killed by son w/CF (before we adopted, crappy care, long story).

Simply put, ALL accessing and deaccessing of a port must be done under sterile conditions. Unfortunately, most RN's I have come across in the hospital, have VERY poor technique when it comes to sterility. They are used to doing dressing changes on IV's and drawing blood, and tend to get careless. I don't think it is intentional, but it is a fact of medicine.

The easiest way to protect yourself is to learn to access as soon as possible, then refuse to let anyone else do so. It sounds odd, but you can simply access yourself and eliminate the risk as you are 100% committed to keeping yourself alive. We have a son w/hemophilia with a port. NOBODY has accessed it since he got it except my wife & I. Even when he had to have labs drawn for some bloodwork, we accessed at home, put the dressing on, drove into the hospital and let them draw the blood from the port. I then deaccessed him myself.

So far we are 2+ years of using it 2-3x/week (yes he has been stuck over 300 times in his port) without any infections.

I wish you the best in your decision, but I have heard very few people who regretting getting once after the intial healing/learning process.

just1more · Mar 30, 2009

Ok, I'll state in advance I am a big advocate for ports for anyone having to have IV meds regularly.

First of all the drawbacks:
*if you are not using it, it has to be flushed 1x/month, this takes one needle stick and about 20-30 minutes
*it does require surgery to put in, so from a CF standpoint, you have to tolerate general anesthesia
*pain for a few days after placement, but manageable
*there is a risk of infection (see below)

Benefits:
*no more PICC lines!
*you can access/deaccess yourself, at home
*you can leave the needle in for a week, or pull it out and shower/swim/ect and just put a new one in afterwards
*one needle stick every time, and since you are using the same spot you develop some 'tough skin' over the site; plus you can use numbing cream
*nobody can see it normally, often even if accessed; unlike a tube hanging down your arm <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
*did I mention no more PICC lines????

Ok, the infection risk you mention is very real, and almost killed by son w/CF (before we adopted, crappy care, long story).

Simply put, ALL accessing and deaccessing of a port must be done under sterile conditions. Unfortunately, most RN's I have come across in the hospital, have VERY poor technique when it comes to sterility. They are used to doing dressing changes on IV's and drawing blood, and tend to get careless. I don't think it is intentional, but it is a fact of medicine.

The easiest way to protect yourself is to learn to access as soon as possible, then refuse to let anyone else do so. It sounds odd, but you can simply access yourself and eliminate the risk as you are 100% committed to keeping yourself alive. We have a son w/hemophilia with a port. NOBODY has accessed it since he got it except my wife & I. Even when he had to have labs drawn for some bloodwork, we accessed at home, put the dressing on, drove into the hospital and let them draw the blood from the port. I then deaccessed him myself.

So far we are 2+ years of using it 2-3x/week (yes he has been stuck over 300 times in his port) without any infections.

I wish you the best in your decision, but I have heard very few people who regretting getting once after the intial healing/learning process.

just1more · Mar 30, 2009

Ok, I'll state in advance I am a big advocate for ports for anyone having to have IV meds regularly.

First of all the drawbacks:
*if you are not using it, it has to be flushed 1x/month, this takes one needle stick and about 20-30 minutes
*it does require surgery to put in, so from a CF standpoint, you have to tolerate general anesthesia
*pain for a few days after placement, but manageable
*there is a risk of infection (see below)

Benefits:
*no more PICC lines!
*you can access/deaccess yourself, at home
*you can leave the needle in for a week, or pull it out and shower/swim/ect and just put a new one in afterwards
*one needle stick every time, and since you are using the same spot you develop some 'tough skin' over the site; plus you can use numbing cream
*nobody can see it normally, often even if accessed; unlike a tube hanging down your arm <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
*did I mention no more PICC lines????

Ok, the infection risk you mention is very real, and almost killed by son w/CF (before we adopted, crappy care, long story).

Simply put, ALL accessing and deaccessing of a port must be done under sterile conditions. Unfortunately, most RN's I have come across in the hospital, have VERY poor technique when it comes to sterility. They are used to doing dressing changes on IV's and drawing blood, and tend to get careless. I don't think it is intentional, but it is a fact of medicine.

The easiest way to protect yourself is to learn to access as soon as possible, then refuse to let anyone else do so. It sounds odd, but you can simply access yourself and eliminate the risk as you are 100% committed to keeping yourself alive. We have a son w/hemophilia with a port. NOBODY has accessed it since he got it except my wife & I. Even when he had to have labs drawn for some bloodwork, we accessed at home, put the dressing on, drove into the hospital and let them draw the blood from the port. I then deaccessed him myself.

So far we are 2+ years of using it 2-3x/week (yes he has been stuck over 300 times in his port) without any infections.

I wish you the best in your decision, but I have heard very few people who regretting getting once after the intial healing/learning process.

just1more · Mar 30, 2009

Ok, I'll state in advance I am a big advocate for ports for anyone having to have IV meds regularly.

First of all the drawbacks:
*if you are not using it, it has to be flushed 1x/month, this takes one needle stick and about 20-30 minutes
*it does require surgery to put in, so from a CF standpoint, you have to tolerate general anesthesia
*pain for a few days after placement, but manageable
*there is a risk of infection (see below)

Benefits:
*no more PICC lines!
*you can access/deaccess yourself, at home
*you can leave the needle in for a week, or pull it out and shower/swim/ect and just put a new one in afterwards
*one needle stick every time, and since you are using the same spot you develop some 'tough skin' over the site; plus you can use numbing cream
*nobody can see it normally, often even if accessed; unlike a tube hanging down your arm <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
*did I mention no more PICC lines????

Ok, the infection risk you mention is very real, and almost killed by son w/CF (before we adopted, crappy care, long story).

Simply put, ALL accessing and deaccessing of a port must be done under sterile conditions. Unfortunately, most RN's I have come across in the hospital, have VERY poor technique when it comes to sterility. They are used to doing dressing changes on IV's and drawing blood, and tend to get careless. I don't think it is intentional, but it is a fact of medicine.

The easiest way to protect yourself is to learn to access as soon as possible, then refuse to let anyone else do so. It sounds odd, but you can simply access yourself and eliminate the risk as you are 100% committed to keeping yourself alive. We have a son w/hemophilia with a port. NOBODY has accessed it since he got it except my wife & I. Even when he had to have labs drawn for some bloodwork, we accessed at home, put the dressing on, drove into the hospital and let them draw the blood from the port. I then deaccessed him myself.

So far we are 2+ years of using it 2-3x/week (yes he has been stuck over 300 times in his port) without any infections.

I wish you the best in your decision, but I have heard very few people who regretting getting once after the intial healing/learning process.

just1more · Mar 30, 2009

Ok, I'll state in advance I am a big advocate for ports for anyone having to have IV meds regularly.
 
 First of all the drawbacks:
 *if you are not using it, it has to be flushed 1x/month, this takes one needle stick and about 20-30 minutes
 *it does require surgery to put in, so from a CF standpoint, you have to tolerate general anesthesia
 *pain for a few days after placement, but manageable
 *there is a risk of infection (see below)
 
 Benefits:
 *no more PICC lines!
 *you can access/deaccess yourself, at home
 *you can leave the needle in for a week, or pull it out and shower/swim/ect and just put a new one in afterwards
 *one needle stick every time, and since you are using the same spot you develop some 'tough skin' over the site; plus you can use numbing cream
 *nobody can see it normally, often even if accessed; unlike a tube hanging down your arm <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">
 *did I mention no more PICC lines????
 
 Ok, the infection risk you mention is very real, and almost killed by son w/CF (before we adopted, crappy care, long story).
 
 Simply put, ALL accessing and deaccessing of a port must be done under sterile conditions. Unfortunately, most RN's I have come across in the hospital, have VERY poor technique when it comes to sterility. They are used to doing dressing changes on IV's and drawing blood, and tend to get careless. I don't think it is intentional, but it is a fact of medicine.
 
 The easiest way to protect yourself is to learn to access as soon as possible, then refuse to let anyone else do so. It sounds odd, but you can simply access yourself and eliminate the risk as you are 100% committed to keeping yourself alive. We have a son w/hemophilia with a port. NOBODY has accessed it since he got it except my wife & I. Even when he had to have labs drawn for some bloodwork, we accessed at home, put the dressing on, drove into the hospital and let them draw the blood from the port. I then deaccessed him myself.
 
 So far we are 2+ years of using it 2-3x/week (yes he has been stuck over 300 times in his port) without any infections.
 
 I wish you the best in your decision, but I have heard very few people who regretting getting once after the intial healing/learning process.

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Tom,

Thanks for all of the wonderful info on your son's port!

So, if I don't have to have abx for 5 months, would it just be like a healed over patch, other than when I access it (once per month)? I'm a bit confused about leaving the needle in or taking it out to shower, etc.? Do you mean just when you're getting meds or in general I'd have a needle hanging out other than to shower, etc.? Sorry if that's a dumb question...

The way I understood it was that you may just see the "patch" under your skin, but you don't even have to keep it covered or anything unless you're accessing it.... Am I way off here? (i.e. no dressing or tape or anything over it unless accessing it for the monthly upkeep OR accessing regularly for a med... say, 3X per day or whenever the abx is Rx'd)???

Also, this is probably another dumb question, but if I am super sqeumish around veins but don't mind needles (i.e. shots into muscle, etc.), will I actually see or "feel" my veins or have to find a vein or anything when I access the port? I get very queesy with anything having to do with needles in a vein or artery, whereas, if it looks like its just going into skin and nothing is "popping out" from my chest or anything, I should be ok.

Does that question make any sense? Sorry I can't describe it any more clearly... Basically, fear of veins, not of needles. Hmmm....

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Tom,

Thanks for all of the wonderful info on your son's port!

So, if I don't have to have abx for 5 months, would it just be like a healed over patch, other than when I access it (once per month)? I'm a bit confused about leaving the needle in or taking it out to shower, etc.? Do you mean just when you're getting meds or in general I'd have a needle hanging out other than to shower, etc.? Sorry if that's a dumb question...

The way I understood it was that you may just see the "patch" under your skin, but you don't even have to keep it covered or anything unless you're accessing it.... Am I way off here? (i.e. no dressing or tape or anything over it unless accessing it for the monthly upkeep OR accessing regularly for a med... say, 3X per day or whenever the abx is Rx'd)???

Also, this is probably another dumb question, but if I am super sqeumish around veins but don't mind needles (i.e. shots into muscle, etc.), will I actually see or "feel" my veins or have to find a vein or anything when I access the port? I get very queesy with anything having to do with needles in a vein or artery, whereas, if it looks like its just going into skin and nothing is "popping out" from my chest or anything, I should be ok.

Does that question make any sense? Sorry I can't describe it any more clearly... Basically, fear of veins, not of needles. Hmmm....

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Tom,

Thanks for all of the wonderful info on your son's port!

So, if I don't have to have abx for 5 months, would it just be like a healed over patch, other than when I access it (once per month)? I'm a bit confused about leaving the needle in or taking it out to shower, etc.? Do you mean just when you're getting meds or in general I'd have a needle hanging out other than to shower, etc.? Sorry if that's a dumb question...

The way I understood it was that you may just see the "patch" under your skin, but you don't even have to keep it covered or anything unless you're accessing it.... Am I way off here? (i.e. no dressing or tape or anything over it unless accessing it for the monthly upkeep OR accessing regularly for a med... say, 3X per day or whenever the abx is Rx'd)???

Also, this is probably another dumb question, but if I am super sqeumish around veins but don't mind needles (i.e. shots into muscle, etc.), will I actually see or "feel" my veins or have to find a vein or anything when I access the port? I get very queesy with anything having to do with needles in a vein or artery, whereas, if it looks like its just going into skin and nothing is "popping out" from my chest or anything, I should be ok.

Does that question make any sense? Sorry I can't describe it any more clearly... Basically, fear of veins, not of needles. Hmmm....

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Tom,

Thanks for all of the wonderful info on your son's port!

So, if I don't have to have abx for 5 months, would it just be like a healed over patch, other than when I access it (once per month)? I'm a bit confused about leaving the needle in or taking it out to shower, etc.? Do you mean just when you're getting meds or in general I'd have a needle hanging out other than to shower, etc.? Sorry if that's a dumb question...

The way I understood it was that you may just see the "patch" under your skin, but you don't even have to keep it covered or anything unless you're accessing it.... Am I way off here? (i.e. no dressing or tape or anything over it unless accessing it for the monthly upkeep OR accessing regularly for a med... say, 3X per day or whenever the abx is Rx'd)???

Also, this is probably another dumb question, but if I am super sqeumish around veins but don't mind needles (i.e. shots into muscle, etc.), will I actually see or "feel" my veins or have to find a vein or anything when I access the port? I get very queesy with anything having to do with needles in a vein or artery, whereas, if it looks like its just going into skin and nothing is "popping out" from my chest or anything, I should be ok.

Does that question make any sense? Sorry I can't describe it any more clearly... Basically, fear of veins, not of needles. Hmmm....

ladybug · Mar 30, 2009

Tom,
 
 Thanks for all of the wonderful info on your son's port!
 
 So, if I don't have to have abx for 5 months, would it just be like a healed over patch, other than when I access it (once per month)? I'm a bit confused about leaving the needle in or taking it out to shower, etc.? Do you mean just when you're getting meds or in general I'd have a needle hanging out other than to shower, etc.? Sorry if that's a dumb question...
 
 The way I understood it was that you may just see the "patch" under your skin, but you don't even have to keep it covered or anything unless you're accessing it.... Am I way off here? (i.e. no dressing or tape or anything over it unless accessing it for the monthly upkeep OR accessing regularly for a med... say, 3X per day or whenever the abx is Rx'd)???
 
 Also, this is probably another dumb question, but if I am super sqeumish around veins but don't mind needles (i.e. shots into muscle, etc.), will I actually see or "feel" my veins or have to find a vein or anything when I access the port? I get very queesy with anything having to do with needles in a vein or artery, whereas, if it looks like its just going into skin and nothing is "popping out" from my chest or anything, I should be ok.
 
 Does that question make any sense? Sorry I can't describe it any more clearly... Basically, fear of veins, not of needles. Hmmm....

my65roses4me · Mar 30, 2009

I will chime in here and give my opinions.
First I would like to say that a port procedure does not have to be done under general anastesia (sp). The did a local on me with some verced. The procedure takes about an hour. the pain/irritation from the procedure goes away within a couple of days. I only needed two pain pills afterwards.
To me the only con that bothers me is the monthly flush. It bothers me only because I would rather not deal with it if Im not using iv's.
Having said that, the monthly flushes are very easy. But very important to use the best sterile technique possible.
With proper training you will be a pro at it in no time.It only took me a good month before I was doint it myself. (including getting enough nerve to poke myself because I was very squimish about it).
I do my own flushing and accessing. I sometimes allow the nurses to access it while Im in the hospital only because they are very trained there. If I have a nurse I am unfamiliar with I will do it myself or ask for a nurse that I know.
I first got my port in 1999 and had that one for 7 years before it needed to be replaced. This one I have now, I have had since 2006. So by far much better than a pic. I will never do a pic again.
I much prefer my port. I am very anal about keeping it working and sterile. I sometimes irritate my nurses about it because I watch them like a hawk. But I have never had an infection in either of my ports.
Good luck!! I think you will like your port and be happy with your decision to get one.
P.S. I am on iv's about twice a year.

my65roses4me · Mar 30, 2009

I will chime in here and give my opinions.
First I would like to say that a port procedure does not have to be done under general anastesia (sp). The did a local on me with some verced. The procedure takes about an hour. the pain/irritation from the procedure goes away within a couple of days. I only needed two pain pills afterwards.
To me the only con that bothers me is the monthly flush. It bothers me only because I would rather not deal with it if Im not using iv's.
Having said that, the monthly flushes are very easy. But very important to use the best sterile technique possible.
With proper training you will be a pro at it in no time.It only took me a good month before I was doint it myself. (including getting enough nerve to poke myself because I was very squimish about it).
I do my own flushing and accessing. I sometimes allow the nurses to access it while Im in the hospital only because they are very trained there. If I have a nurse I am unfamiliar with I will do it myself or ask for a nurse that I know.
I first got my port in 1999 and had that one for 7 years before it needed to be replaced. This one I have now, I have had since 2006. So by far much better than a pic. I will never do a pic again.
I much prefer my port. I am very anal about keeping it working and sterile. I sometimes irritate my nurses about it because I watch them like a hawk. But I have never had an infection in either of my ports.
Good luck!! I think you will like your port and be happy with your decision to get one.
P.S. I am on iv's about twice a year.

my65roses4me · Mar 30, 2009

I will chime in here and give my opinions.
First I would like to say that a port procedure does not have to be done under general anastesia (sp). The did a local on me with some verced. The procedure takes about an hour. the pain/irritation from the procedure goes away within a couple of days. I only needed two pain pills afterwards.
To me the only con that bothers me is the monthly flush. It bothers me only because I would rather not deal with it if Im not using iv's.
Having said that, the monthly flushes are very easy. But very important to use the best sterile technique possible.
With proper training you will be a pro at it in no time.It only took me a good month before I was doint it myself. (including getting enough nerve to poke myself because I was very squimish about it).
I do my own flushing and accessing. I sometimes allow the nurses to access it while Im in the hospital only because they are very trained there. If I have a nurse I am unfamiliar with I will do it myself or ask for a nurse that I know.
I first got my port in 1999 and had that one for 7 years before it needed to be replaced. This one I have now, I have had since 2006. So by far much better than a pic. I will never do a pic again.
I much prefer my port. I am very anal about keeping it working and sterile. I sometimes irritate my nurses about it because I watch them like a hawk. But I have never had an infection in either of my ports.
Good luck!! I think you will like your port and be happy with your decision to get one.
P.S. I am on iv's about twice a year.

my65roses4me · Mar 30, 2009

I will chime in here and give my opinions.
First I would like to say that a port procedure does not have to be done under general anastesia (sp). The did a local on me with some verced. The procedure takes about an hour. the pain/irritation from the procedure goes away within a couple of days. I only needed two pain pills afterwards.
To me the only con that bothers me is the monthly flush. It bothers me only because I would rather not deal with it if Im not using iv's.
Having said that, the monthly flushes are very easy. But very important to use the best sterile technique possible.
With proper training you will be a pro at it in no time.It only took me a good month before I was doint it myself. (including getting enough nerve to poke myself because I was very squimish about it).
I do my own flushing and accessing. I sometimes allow the nurses to access it while Im in the hospital only because they are very trained there. If I have a nurse I am unfamiliar with I will do it myself or ask for a nurse that I know.
I first got my port in 1999 and had that one for 7 years before it needed to be replaced. This one I have now, I have had since 2006. So by far much better than a pic. I will never do a pic again.
I much prefer my port. I am very anal about keeping it working and sterile. I sometimes irritate my nurses about it because I watch them like a hawk. But I have never had an infection in either of my ports.
Good luck!! I think you will like your port and be happy with your decision to get one.
P.S. I am on iv's about twice a year.

my65roses4me · Mar 30, 2009

I will chime in here and give my opinions.
 First I would like to say that a port procedure does not have to be done under general anastesia (sp). The did a local on me with some verced. The procedure takes about an hour. the pain/irritation from the procedure goes away within a couple of days. I only needed two pain pills afterwards.
 To me the only con that bothers me is the monthly flush. It bothers me only because I would rather not deal with it if Im not using iv's.
 Having said that, the monthly flushes are very easy. But very important to use the best sterile technique possible.
 With proper training you will be a pro at it in no time.It only took me a good month before I was doint it myself. (including getting enough nerve to poke myself because I was very squimish about it).
 I do my own flushing and accessing. I sometimes allow the nurses to access it while Im in the hospital only because they are very trained there. If I have a nurse I am unfamiliar with I will do it myself or ask for a nurse that I know.
 I first got my port in 1999 and had that one for 7 years before it needed to be replaced. This one I have now, I have had since 2006. So by far much better than a pic. I will never do a pic again.
 I much prefer my port. I am very anal about keeping it working and sterile. I sometimes irritate my nurses about it because I watch them like a hawk. But I have never had an infection in either of my ports.
 Good luck!! I think you will like your port and be happy with your decision to get one.
 P.S. I am on iv's about twice a year.

Ports

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member

New member