Port a Cath getting stuck.

[lucanus15]

Hello people, hope you are all faring as well as possible.

I have a question for those familiar with Port a Caths. I had mine implanted last May and have had no problems with it. My chemo finished last July and so I now have an appointment to have it taken out. I made the appointment in Febraury.

Strangely enough, since deciding to have it removed I have been having odd sensations, especially in the morning. I woke up a few morning ago and it hurt to try and move my shoulder or neck close to the implant and I gave up trying to turn over and thought I'd just see what happens! So, a bit stuck. Five minutes later or so I tried again, (after coincidentally my cat had perched half on my shoulder and purred at it) and there was a kind of click or a pop (no noise), the sensation of something becoming unstuck, and the pain went away. It just happened again as I was crouched down sweeping. It feels like maybe the tube (for want of a better word) is sliding further down the artery when I move into certain positions, and then getting stuck before being able to slide back into its previous position. As you may read, it is rather hard to describe!

I have the appointment for the 23rd but assuming it will be cancelled as I read that all non urgent interventions are cancelled hereforth due to the Covid-19. I'm in France, and now all the schools are closed and I have my two young boys at home and no potential babysitter, I will not be able to go to have it taken out even if it hasn't been cancelled. I do hope this sensation is normal and doesn't make the intervention urgent all of a sudden.

I'm just wondering whether anyone here has experienced this?

Thanks so much in advance. All the best xx

[Fifi24]

Hi,

Your symptoms sound like, the tube could be more ridgid..

Therefore it is important you voice this to the department concerned, as you do not want to risk other problems, I am only assuming as I do not know what your overall health is like, so it is important you raise your problem sooner to them rather then wait until the 23rd.

Hope you get sorted and hope your pain eases, take care.

[lucanus15 in reply to Fifi24]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply. I'm pretty sure that the end of the tube is poking in somewhere it shouldn't be. The pain this morning when I tried to move after waking was real! Reminded me of the post op drain pain.

I look forward to being able to contact the department tomorrow. Concerns like this often seem to arise in a weekend when you can't do enough about it.

Thanks again, best regards x