Mediport placement today

[CLLmoxie]

I asked by Dr for a Mediport and had it placed today in interventional radiology. It can stay in almost indefinitely (10 plus years), if desired or be removed anytime in office setting. Very little maintenance or chance of infection. Totally under the skin. Needle for infusion or blood draw still goes through your skin but just into little membrane on line. Can apply EMLA cream to skin first, if needed. Saving my peripheral veins!

[GMa27]

Loved my port! Had it removed 6 months after chemo (last Feb). It worked great. They had a spray to numb mine.

Good luck! 💕

[rcknow]

It was great to have a port. I needed weekly blood transfusions before and during the first three months of FCR and I like having both hands free during transfusions and infusions. It was removed about a year after finishing FCR. Best wishes to you!!

[DaveGH]

I was unable to get a mediport because I had Chemo a week earlier so they put a PICC in. It worked great for 6 months then my skin started to break down when they changed the bandage. It was removed last week. It lasted for 6 chemo sessions. Next time I will have a mediport.

Good luck with yours!

Dave

[Jemorgen in reply to DaveGH]

Lets hope there’s no next time!

[BeckyLUSA]

Blood draw people are starting to complain about my veins and have mentioned me getting one just for IVIG. Are the mediports something newer than previous kinds of ports?

BeckyL USA

[CLLmoxie in reply to BeckyLUSA]

Yes, I think so. It it put in at interventional radiology under fluoroscopy. It is completely under the skin. A Huber needle is used to draw or inject into it. Can be used for anything. (chemo, meds, CT contrast, blood transfusions, meds, blood draws etc) Also, called ‘power port’ so rapid infusions can be given, if ever needed. Much different than the old subclavian line that was a random (riskier) stab with an IV access hanging out. Also different than PIC line. There are several brands. Mine happens to be a Bard Mediport (power port) which you could Google. Good luck.

[Justasheet1]

I had mine removed after my chemo was done because they need to be flushed and I wanted to stay out of the hospital.

All blood draws were still done via my veins. You have to be specially trained to access the port.

Jeff

[CLLMoxie2 in reply to Justasheet1]

Mine needs flushed once a month which I can do at home with Huber needle and heparin.

[Justasheet1 in reply to CLLMoxie2]

My wife’s a nurse and that never was an option for me. That port goes almost directly to the heart, I thought, and a sterile technique was always done while accessing it. It was kind of a big deal but maybe it was because of the chemo?

Great health to you!

Jeff

[CLLMoxie2 in reply to Justasheet1]

Jeff,

I was ‘told’ I could flush it but my first opportunity to get supplies , instructions and verify the validity of that will be Monday. I will let you know for hopefully unneeded future reference.

[bigunwill2]

I’ve had a port for BR 3 years ago and decided to keep it. It is great for all the blood draws I’ve had in 3 1/2 years. Having it flushed every month, I also get a a monthly blood test which helps know right away if something is out of whack.

[WinJ3]

I had my Mediport in for a year. The surgeon said mine should last for at least 10 years to life. I might leave it in just in case I’ll need to use it again.

[CLLmoxie in reply to WinJ3]

I will probably leave mine in too - it can be used for CT contrast and so many other things that ‘could’ (but hopefully won’t) come up.

[bigunwill2]

They usually won’t put the contrast in my port and certainly not the radioactive for PET scan.

[CLLmoxie in reply to bigunwill2]

True no radioactive stuff.

[noeagaman]

I still have my port after getting it for FCR back in 2017. I love having it since like you said it saves your vains. Now I get IVIG's and they use the port for that too.

Chris