Hi everyone,I had a pleurex chest drain fitted in June so we could drain my pleural effusions at home and since then (also started weekly taxol) the fluid has reduced and there has been nothing to drain for 3 weeks. I've really struggled with this drain from the day it was fitted as body has fought against the foreign object. I've had nerve pain in my back and and the hole where the tube goes is so red and sore and weepy all the time. I'm trying to keep on top of chemo side effects but the thing that holds me back is this drain as one false move or if i catch it I'm crying with pain. The drain was fitted at my local hospital, not where I'm being treated, so I've made the decision to ring them this morning to ask them to remove it. Am I doing the right thing and what are peoples experiences of having them removed. Thanks Kerry.
Pleurex Chest Drain Removal: Hi everyone,I had... - My Ovacome
Pleurex Chest Drain Removal
Hi Kerry, I had mine removed after 3 weeks of no draining. They should ultrasound you first to check. The actual removal is a bit weird, not gonna lie but very quickly your body will be sooo. happy its gone!
I am sorry it’s been so difficult but given that your body has always regarded it as an intruder, you will really benefit from it being gone xx
Thankyou Lyndy, did they give you a local to remove it ?
Yes they did and they do a countdown where you have to breathe in while they whip it out..slightly odd feeling xx
Thankyou. I'm a bit nervous to be honest as its so flipping 😬 sore. I had a port fitted a month ago with just a local and its been a breeze compared to this. Better dig my big girl pants out 😆 x
Yes I was nervous too! But really wanted it gone and the local anaesthetic did it’s job. Keep telling them you are worried about pain and encourage them to use lots and lots of shots x
I will thank you so much xx
I think I had mine removed after about 3 weeks… local anaesthetic and not painful at all. It has stayed dry for 8 months 🤞 unfortunately I’ve now had my left side drained a couple of times and looking down the barrel at permanent drain. The respiratory team seem to be brilliant…. I really didn’t enjoy have a port fitted - v painful - it always felt like I had something foreign in me. It never healed and I now have a Hickman instead. Did they do doxycycline or talc - im trying to decide if I should try that. There seems to be no other treatments although I’ve been recommended dandelion tea and whistling!!
Best of luck!
Thankyou. I'm sorry you've now got the same problem the other side. My onc wants me to hang on for a bit longer and whilst I see where she's coming from I said I need a break from it (sounds a bit dramatic I know). The problem you had with the port sounds similar. X
Hiya - I had mine removed after six months although i never really used it. The chemo dried up the effusion not long after the drain was put in. [edited by moderator]
The removal was pretty easy, much less painful than having it put in! Recovery time much faster.
It sounds like your drain may be infected? It shouldn’t be painful.
Hi and thanks hopefully it will be less painful having it removed. I don't think it is infected as I've had it looked at. I've just been told I've been unlucky as it should not have been as painful as it has been. I'm booked in for 3.30 tomorrow to have it removed and I can't wait. Kerry x
Chest drain finally removed. Dr said it was very inflammed and oozing so once he removed it he sent me home with antibiotics. The procedure was painless once he administered the local and the sense of relief is amazing. I can actually move without pain. Thanks for your reassurance ladies xx
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