Picc or port

Hi Ladies .

Last time I had chemo , I had a picc line which was great . Due for 4th line chemo before Christmas , just wondering if a port would be better ,no weekly flushes and no sleeves needed . Canvassing opinions , thanks xx

[Alikay]

Hi there. I opted for a portacath, simply because I didn't want the permanent visual reminder of a picc. It's been absolutely brilliant until this past week when I started spiking temperatures, and it's been found that I have a staph aureas infection in the port and in my pleurex drain sites. Still waiting to find out if they will have to be removed, but if you asked me picc or portacath, I'd go for the port every time. Good luck with your decision. Xx

[Hidden in reply to Alikay]

Thanks for speedy reply ,can I just ask - how long you've had it in? X

[Alikay in reply to Hidden]

Only since June 2nd, but it's been brilliant. Shall be sad if it has to come out, but have been told that might be the only option to avoid further infections. X

[Hidden]

Oh that's great , nearly 6 months.well worth a go x

[Janet235]

On advice, i had a Hickman line inserted in my chest for 18 weekly treatments of taxol After the first 2 sessions of stressful 3 cannula attempts and then 5 cannula attempts I have to say best decision I made .

Thankfully no problems with it at all apart from taking 6 weeks for the bruising to fade...

I get confused about the different types of ports, and the reasons why different ones are used on different people. I shall probably opt to keep it after this round of treatment finishes at Christmas... not sure if this would be an option, suppose it depends on my scan results in January...

Janet 🌈

[Hidden in reply to Janet235]

Thanks Janet , is a Hickman line just a port ? Thank goodness for all you knowledgeable ladies. definitely going for a port ,hopefully not too much choice - worse than selecting a cake !!

[Beckyjh]

I had a port for first line in 2015 which was brilliant. Overconfidently had it removed and then when recurred last year had another one put back in. I finished chemo in June and the port is well and truly staying put now just in case!! Makes everything so much easier and now I just have it flushed when I go for my 3 month check ups. No problems at all - I go swimming with it and it’s geat.

[Hidden in reply to Beckyjh]

Thanks ,that's what I wanted to hear , I know it's a bit more invasive but well worth it. X

[Hidden in reply to Beckyjh]

That's what I like the idea of , no limitations , which there are with a picc. X

[Hidden]

Hi

I have a port in since June 2015 and I haven't had any problems with it - it just makes everything so much easier if you need to have bloods done on a regular basis. I would really recommend the portacath.

Juliet

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Juliet , will definitely go for it x

[Kryssy]

I have a port. It's called my alien as I can wiggle it under my skin as my party piece. It can stay forever if I want. Just one bit of advice, when asked what side you want it, don't have it on the side you sleep on as the pipe can get pinched. Mine has and I sit at a funny angle for my weekly chemo or the drip slows right down. No stitches, it was done by local anaesthetic and laser. Just a slight whiff of roast pork! Ask for emla patches, a patch of lidocaine which numbs the port area before each treatment. Easy peasy and no pain or ruined veins. No problem with swimming or bathing. You won't know you have it. Good luck xxx

[lorraine71-Australia]

Hi Lindy, I have had my port in now just over 2 years and it's great I have had no trouble with it and it's just under the skin so you can shower I do forget it's there, hope this helps. also having port in was painless as I was given a local and only felt a slit pull.

Take care Lorraine xx

[Hidden in reply to lorraine71-Australia]

Thanks Lorraine - I like painless !! xx

[Tesla_7US]

I've had my port for over two years and love it! I forget it's there. No pain. Chemo was actually pleasant. You rub Lidocaine cream on 20 minutes before accessing it or get a small lidocaine shot before chemo infusions. You can swim, bathe, no bandages, no skin irritation. Very discreet, doesn't show through clothes. Also had an IP port for many months. I'd do it all over again.

[Hidden in reply to Tesla_7US]

Thanks so much , definitely all for it .Just need a chemo date and let's crack on . Xx

[Teresa_K]

Have no personal experience of a PICC Line. I have a portacath, it has made everything so much easier and less stressful. Do not regret the decision for a moment.

Go for it

Tx

[Barlow1951]

I don’t have personal experience of a port or picc line but have 2 friends on Avastin, one of whom has a port and the other not. The one with a port gets her infusion done quickly and efficiently, but the other one can take 2 hours to get the cannula put in, which to me is just unnecessary stress and pain. I would certainly opt for a port if I needed more chemo, but as with all these things, it’s a personal decision and only you can make it in the end.

Hope your next treatment will go well whatever you decide.

Best wishes,

Barbara

[AndreeP]

I have a portacath and it’s fantastic. I’ve not had a picc line so can’t commenton that.

[Hidden in reply to AndreeP]

Thanks for that , picc is great , but needs to be flushed every week and covered in the shower . Also very visible - which is ok, but nicer hidden . After all the advice , definitely the port this time x