Unbearably itchy arm from PICC. PICC taken out. Getting a Port put in. One more carbo/taxol then Avastin for 1y. Good choice to get port?

[Meridian14]

Hi ladies. I’ve had a bit of trouble getting cannulated for my treatments. First treatment took 5 attempts to cannulate. Other infusions only took one go but I was advised to get a PICC due to my small veins. I only had the PICC in for four days before I had to get it taken out again, it was unbearably itchy, They tried different dressings but no joy. I’m now booked in to get a Port inserted in my chest. I’m a little nervous. Those of you who have a port, could you let me know your experiences please. Thanking you in advance.

[Differentforgirls]

Hi. I had a port line put in for my treatment & was so happy I did.

Like you, I was a tad nervous about having it, but if I had to have another I’d go for it without hesitation.

Hope this helps you.

Take care xx

[Meridian14 in reply to Differentforgirls]

Thank you! Good to know.

[Maus123]

Hi there. Yes, I'd get a port if the choice was mine (again). Once mine settled, it's been great.

That said.. I did whinge prior to getting a port until they agreed that I could have a proper short sedation for the insertion instead of the usual local anaesthetic (definitely didn't want to be awake for that). So I didn't notice the insertion at all, phew. Of course it still twinged a bit for about a week to 10 days after, but it's been fine ever since.

Chemo or even now just the maintenance flushes are a breeze with the port... at least that's my own experience.

I do try to be a bit careful around the site, just to be safe. I.e. no excessive stretching of that arm or load on that shoulder/arm, a cushion between chest and seat belt, disinfectant and band aid after use (leaving it on for 36'ish hrs) etc.

Had mine for about 1.5 years now.

All the best. xx. Maus

[Meridian14 in reply to Maus123]

Thanks Maus.

[Lindaura]

Dear Meri,

Just in case this helps, I also developed a weird and terribly itchy rash around my PICC arm.

We kept changing the dressings, but the rash continued. Little red bumps were under the skin and it took forever for the rash to subside after we discovered the culprit.

IT WAS THE WIPES AND THE MEDICATION USED TO CLEAN MY ARM.

This is important.

It was the Chlorhexidine in the wipes that I had developed a sensitivity to.

My hospital found some plain old alcohol wipes and I could get more at my local pharmacy.

After my PICC was removed, for another reason, I had the PORT, but the technician used Iodine and alcohol to clean my chest.

I would assume that you might have this same sensitivity, because many others have it also. You must get hold of the hospital approved alcohol wipes and let whoever puts the port in know - under sedation I hope - and make certain they don’t use the Chlorhexidine.

I screwed up last week and forgot to tell a nurse to not use the hospital wipes, just to clean around a vein and before I stopped her, those under the skin itchy bumps immediately appeared.

That’s my story.

A port is a much bigger deal to have inserted and not all hospitals use sedation, but they should!!!!!

Otherwise it is very efficient and you can shower and swim with it, without having to cover it up!

Best wishes,

Laura

[Meridian14 in reply to Lindaura]

Laura, thanks for this. I wondered whether it could have been the chlorhexidine and the bio patch (that has chlorhexidine in it) causing the itching. Now I’ve heard your experience I think it probably was that. Thanks so much. I will make sure they do not use it on me again.

[Meridian14]

Laura, thanks for this. I wondered whether it could have been the chlorhexidine and the bio patch (that has chlorhexidine in it) causing the itching. Now I’ve heard your experience I think it probably was that. Thanks so much. I will make sure they do not use it on me again.

[Mommoo65]

Hi Meridian. My port was put in during my debulking surgery. I had already had 1 round of taxol/carbo and was scheduled to have 4 rounds of IP chemo. So the port was essentially for that and to administer meds. I had no problems with it. It was under my left breast and not visible at all. It was taken out 2 months after my last treatment. Now have a cute smiley face scar. All in all it was a good thing to have done.

[Meridian14 in reply to Mommoo65]

Thanks for your response Mommoo

[Tesla_7US]

Live in US. Had port for nearly 5 years. They use small lidocaine injection to numb site before accessing it. Fast and painless. I LOVE my port. Can shower, swim, normal routine. Definitely protect it from car seat belt by using a small soft cushioned wrapping on seat belt. I also do not sleep on the side with port which is in my upper chest, left side.

[Meridian14 in reply to Tesla_7US]

Thank you for your response, Tesla.

[Hidden]

Hi Meridian. Love that Port. Love that Port. LOVE that PORT. I could go on. I used to arrive at the hospital with sweaty fingers, dreading the whole affair. I barely give it a thought now. I've had it for 5.5 years.

Mine is in my arm. Sort of under & in the fleshy part. It's where it can't be seen unless I bring the flesh to the front to show someone. You probably won't have any choice in the position but most of my friends (O.C. Support Group) have them in the chest but I prefer the arm as I don't have to think what to wear, it's always covered, or disguised at the very least (if I wanted to wear a tank top). It was a small, male Chinese surgeon who installed it. I said "how old are you?" . He said "How old do you think?" I said "Well I think you've left school". He did tell me his age but I can't remember now ! There was a canula in my arm that they could top up whatever the juice was that was going into my other arm. It wasn't a joy-juice but it made me not care at all.

I had a PICC before a Port. At the time I thought it was excellent. But a Port spoils you.

You won't regret it. Best wishes. Pauline.

[Meridian14 in reply to Hidden]

Good to know. Thanks Pauline

[TarbonNZ]

Hi. Glad you asked this, as I was going to seek advice re the port. Like you they have significant trouble accessing my veins. In my case it is third line treatment, so my veins have calcified and hardened from over use. When trying to access the vein either twists, or they cannot pierce the vein. It can take four or five times. The worst is if they push really hard to get it through, and hit a nerve. This has been a regular occurrence, and then the vein is so useless, they cannot get anything to run. I was asked by the nurses to consider a port or PICC line. After discussion with the Oncologist we decided the port would be better, it is summer here in December, and I do not want all of the care hassles that go with the PICC line. It is bad enough going through chemo over summer. Also, unless there is a miracle drug developed, or hell freezes over, I will be going through this again.

Currently having Carboplatin by itself. The bitch has decided to also spread her wings to my liver. Anyhow, I have a pre-assessment tomorrow for the procedure which with the notes I have been given is a lot more complicated than I had really understood. Here in NZ it is done under a general anesthetic by a vascular surgeon, and the actual procedure takes an hour. I had not appreciated that they access one of the major veins next to the heart. Anyway hopefully my fears will be allayed tomorrow, as it all quite frankly sounds a little scary. 🥺😳Reading through the responses to yourself, has made me feel a bit better about it. Hope goes well for you. 💜💜

[Meridian14 in reply to TarbonNZ]

Hope it goes well for you too, Tarbon

[maggie22]

I had a port and was extremely nervous but very glad I got it. It is not painful getting it. It just needs to be flushed every 3 months if it is not in use. It will make a big difference for you.

All the very best

[Meridian14 in reply to maggie22]

Thanks Maggie

[Cheryl4677]

I’ve had my port since 2017. So pleased to have it as it has saved me the stress of trying to find any vein suitable! Only problem I’ve experienced is general phlebotomists can’t or aren’t trained to access it. When I was in hospital last year with partial obstruction numerous failed attempts at cannulating and cannula lasted only a day even when sited.

For my trial bloods my CNS and the cancer support ward have been brilliant. Mine does protrude a little but much better than bruised arms and bathing no problem.

Cheryl

[Meridian14 in reply to Cheryl4677]

Thanks for your response Cheryl.

[delia2]

I have one and love it. It was put in under conscious sedation (lighter than general anesthesia) and a bit sore for a week but now I don’t know I have it.

[Meridian14 in reply to delia2]

Thanks Delia

[Helentess]

I had a port inserted Nov 1. Then I had chemo on Nov 4. It hurt like hell when the nurse tried to jab the needle into the port. My whole right side of chest & breast was sore, swollen, bruised, etc. Today (3 1/2 weeks later) I still have large purple bruises on my breast & chest area. It is still tender to the touch. I had blood work done yesterday with the nurse using the port. A half hour before blood test, I dabbed a lot of numbing cream on the area. I didn't feel the needle this time. But port had a blockage. So nurse had me try various positions to get the blood flowing. After 20 minits, she gave me an injection to dissolve it. It was mix of blood thinners & other medication. After half hour, she could draw blood from it. Just be aware that port has pros & cons. I needed a port because my veins are too scarred & too small from chemo last year.

[Hidden in reply to Helentess]

Hi Helentess. I've read what you say on here before. When my port was installed, it was 10 days before they were allowed to use it. That sounds fundamental really, doesn't it. Surely common sense would tell them that 3 days was not long enough for the port to settle in !

Best wishes. Pauline

[Meridian14 in reply to Helentess]

Sorry to hear you had some challenges. Thank you for your response. Hope your Port is working okay now.

[TarbonNZ in reply to Meridian14]

I have had my port put in today with a general anaesthetic. It is the only way they do them here. I have the utmost admiration for those who have had this done under light sedation, unless it is fitted differently than here. It was extremely painful when I came too, and now I am home both areas are swollen and painful. The last thing I would have wanted to be was awake when they did it.

Here they prefer to put it in 10 days prior to next treatment, however if treatment is sooner, (less than a week), they insert the needle so it is ready for that, at the same time they install the port.. The surgeon told me that the only people who are authorized to access the port (when you are having treatment for cancer), are the trained oncology nurses, to reduce the infection risk. I understand that they inject the port with saline and heparin in between treatments so it remains good to use. I thank my lucky stars that they are not accessing mine for two weeks with the way it feels at the moment. 😳😬

[Meridian14 in reply to TarbonNZ]

Thank you Tarbon. Hope the pain subsides soon and infusions go smoothly.

[Flamingobeef18]

I had my port fitted a couple of months ago.

On the advice of the brilliant ladies here I asked for sedation which is not routinely offered at my hospital. Unfortunately having sedation would have meant delaying the procedure so in the end I agreed to having a tranquilizer instead.

I need not of worried.The team were outstanding. They were fully aware of my concerns and talked me through the whole thing. It was completely painless and actually rather interesting and enjoyable in a weird way!

Bruising and after pain were very minimal. A week later I restarted my chemo using the port and it was completely painless and very quick compared to the normal searching for a good vein routine.

The only disappointment has been that despite being told otherwise by my surgeon staff have been unable to use the port for scan dyes or taking blood. I suspect this is a training issue as even some of the chemo nurses are unable to use my port. However various members of staff have also told me that my power port cannot cope with the speed of certain infusions and it does not provide access to fresh uncomtaminated blood??? Really???

Anyway I am very pleased with my port and I am quite proud of my little lump!

Best wishes

Juliax

[Meridian14 in reply to Flamingobeef18]

Thanks for your response. Julia

[Meridian14 in reply to Flamingobeef18]

Hmm interesting about the scan dyes and taking blood. Have not heard this before. There should not be any problem with this. Good to hear that you are pleased with your port. All the best

[Iwillbeatit]

Recommend a PORT every time. I had a PICC line nothing but trouble had it taken out as soon as round one finished then had port in for next lot. So much easier under skin only needs flushing every four weeks. Don't know you have it. Can shower and swim as it can get wet. Flushes beautifully. Does not catch on clothes. Now on more chemo and still flowing well.Good luck

[Meridian14 in reply to Iwillbeatit]

Hi, Thank you for your response. great to hear that it works so well for you.

I managed without the Port in the end. However, if and when I have further treatment, I will seriously consider getting the Port, as it was really tricky with my veins during first line chemo, and often painful being a pin cushion. The heat pad got me through it, i'd have it on really really hot - to the point my arm would be bright red and on one occasion I got a small blister from the heat, but that was the only way my veins would show themselves! All the best.