Port Placement pain

[tvf60]

Good morning fellow warriors. I had my port put in on Thursday, February 15th. I am very sore where they implanted it into my left chest. I can feel it which I'm sure is normal. It just seems like it's really tender to the touch. Is this normal and will the thin skin it's put under will toughen up before I start Chemotherapy on March 8th? I'm hoping the pain and tenderness goes away.

Also, thanks to you wonderful people, I too was put on meds to take the burning pain away from my VATS surgery to remove my upper right lung. Any information you have regarding port pain would be very much appreciated,.

[JeanE41]

Never having been in your shoes I can't speak from experience., I'm sure some pain is normal. BUT if you experience redness, swelling, fever or if the pain seems to be increasing rather than decreasing do contact your doctor. Wishing you well with your chemo. Keep us informed.

Jean

[judg69]

tvf60, all is normal and you’ll be fine. A week from now you’ll forget all about it and be showering. By March 8th, you won’t even know the port is there until you go for chemo. Keep us posted as you progress with chemo as many of us have gone through it and may have advice to help you along. Best Wishes, judg69

[tvf60 in reply to judg69]

Thank you so much. I was concerned as everyone I asked said they never had any port placement pain. Just trying to make sure everything is ok.

[Lexis6767]

What you feel is exactly like my experience and judg69 is completely right - soon you won't realize it's there. I had mine done in December and actually went Christmas shopping the following day. But then it did get sore for about a week or so. I used it for chemo 11 days after install and did just fine. They prescribed to me Emla cream which numbs the area and works like a dream. I wish you the best. The port makes it SO much better.

[Denzie Moderator Volunteer]

For now icing it and using Tylenol for relief is a good option.

[Steph60]

After my port the pain went away, instead I always felt the port when I slept etc. Regardless of the discomfort I felt, it made getting chemo so much easier since my vein are small and roll and blow. I was able to have the port removed about 8 weeks after my last chemo,

[Keneki123]

I had difficulty with port pain the entire six months that it was there . I just had the port removed on Jan 19th ...whew and it still is tender and painful at times . I guess each and everyone is different . Im glad its out but it was necessary for the six months of Chemo . Stay strong and this too shall past ....

[anrean]

Hi My port was uncomfortable for about a week - don't forget that they are putting a foreign object in your body. After that it was as though it wasn't even there!! Having the port is a true blessing because the makes chemo oh so much easier.

For now, keep an eye on the incision and make sure it is not infected. Try to ice it to make the site feel better. If the pain persists past the weekend, call your doc and ask if you can take an over the counter pain reliever. I pray it stops hurting in the next day or so.

Lauri-Anne

[ThePurplePlace]

My port was quite tender for the first week or so. I believe that's normal. If it's very red, hot to the touch or oozing, then I would call in.

I have small tubes of numbing cream that I apply to my port about an hour before each access. My Oncology unit provides them. Ask about it when you go for your treatment. My port can at times, be a bit uncomfortable when accessed, but it's still much easier and I'm very happy to have one. I've had mine almost three years and can't imagine treatment without it.

Best wishes,

Lisa

[Pandora8205 in reply to ThePurplePlace]

Its been 3 years since port intstalled i remember tender but its been great to for chemo mine is on the right and i sleep on my left. The emla cream works great. It numbs the port use press and seal. Sticks to skin just a small square piece.

[Jenniferroseolson in reply to ThePurplePlace]

Same situation for me, but it hurt longer than just a week and truly was horrific the first time it was accessed. My sister is a nurse and cleaned it for me because i wouldn’t even wash it with soap and water because I was afraid if it and even water ftinthe shower hurt. And I bought multiple seat belt cushion-covers for car travel. Lidocaine cream helped, but after several treatments, the discomfort of having it accessed was so minimal that the cream wasn’t necessary at all. I never went through an entire tube. I truly love having a port. 34 months since stage 4 diagnosis. Hang in there. You will grow to appreciate it.