Hi after my chemo burn and allergic reaction in my first 2 chemo cycles, my onc has decided I need a portacath. I’m really pleased but would love to hear from people who have had this procedure.
Thanks
Kelley
Hi Kelly
I have a portacath (mines a Powerport) and its fab. I am treated in a private hospital and they prefer to use a portacath from the very start of treatment, especially for women who also have to have Herceptin, as I am. So I have had my port in since October 08 when I started my chemo.
I put Ametop gel on an hour before I am due in the hospital, this numbs the area where the needle goes in. Either ask at the hospital or you can get on prescription from your GP, you also need a dressing to put on top of the cream its called Opsite Flexigrid 6cm x 7cm (I cut them in half) also available on prescription.
Once the needle is in then all bloods, treatments etc can be taken from the port. I was given advice to drink quite a bit of fluid before going in as it should help when they get the bloods.
You won’t regret it, I do feel sorry for the ladies who have trouble with their veins, on top of dealing with treatment its something you just don’t need.
So if you have any questions ask away I’ll be happy to help, if I can.
Take care and good luck
Sue xx
thanks Sue - I am due to start Chemo on 19th and my oncologist has recomended a portacath - sounds ideal. I hope it doesn’t hurt going in - I’m a total wimp 
your post has given me the confidence that this is the right move so thanks x
Hi,
I had a port as my veins are too narrow and epi makes them even narrower. I only had my arm veins used once and so when they did need them for other things like scans and countless blood tests there was no problem. Some friends have had terrible arm pain following chemo and struggle even with small needles now. I had my port in for chemo but it had to be removed quickly for rads as they put it in the BC side and right over the tumour site! It is usually a general to have it in but that suited me (asleep)and was very quickly done. It aches a bit when you move for about 5 days like any wound would but I did not even take a paracetamol for it. The downside is that I had to sleep on my back from that point on or it hurt.
Lots of luck to you as you start this next stage and I hope it goes well for you now
Lily x
Hi Kelly
Its a shame lily had a problem but just to reassure you my portacath was put in the same breast as BC and last week I even had my 12 month mammo with port in. I obviously had rads in same breast also. My surgery was below the breast so not sure if lily’s was above.
Guess I may have had too much vino calipso tonight (86 year old mother here at the mo!) but please if people cant post possitive why bother - I’m fed up of negative vibes. Kelly you will be fine, yep cant move your head for a wee while but hey compared with collapsed veins its a better choice.
By the way I did not have my port put in under general, it was under local, but you are so “out of it” you wake up feeling none the wiser!
Sue xx
Hi Sue
Thanks for your post - I have done 6 out of 8 chemos and also need Herceptin and am opting for a port-a-cath rather than a line. My veins will probably hold out for the remaining chemos (although they are now using the back of the wrist - ouch!)It’s good to hear a positive experience, so thanks for that. It’s made the prospect a little less daunting for me!
x
Hi
I agree with Sue - the portacath is the best thing i’ve had done! After them struggling to find veins and blood on my first hospital visit enough was enough. Apparently some surgeons put them in under sedation and others under a general. I had mine under a general purely because i’m a complete baby and create merry hell under sedation!
It felt bruised for a while but now you wouldn’t know it was there and doesn’t bother me at all. Unlike hickman lines etc it’s easy to look after, doesn’t need flushing every week and no dangling bit of tube hanging from your chest either!
Highly recommended! Go for it!
love loopy xx
Hi there
I had a portacath after developing blood clots in my right arm. It did mean having the portacath in the same side as the mastectomy so like Liley I have to have mine taken out a couple of weeks before I start radiotherapy but that’s no problem - that will be done under local anaesthetic.
It’s been absolutely brilliant and I’d recommend it. I had it done under a general anaesthetic because it was on the side of the side of my surgery. I did get quite a lot of pain after it was inserted probably because I’d recently had all the surgery that side. I took regular painkillers and did completely subside after 3 weeks. From then on I haven’t even noticed it’s been there.
I’ve had my chemo through it, blood taken and when I developed an infection I had antibiotics through it. I find that it is totally bearable to have the needle inserted without the numbing cream. I’ve tried both and either way is fine and a lot less painful than trying to find a vein.
Definitely go for it - a complete godsend.
Elinda x
Thanks for all your comments. I feel really positive about it and can’t wait to get the phone call. No more vein hunting!
Kelley
Another portacath fan here. I had mine put in before chemo started and it’s been great. Accessing it was a bit ouchy until I was given emla cream to put over the site an hour beforehand and after that it was fine. I had mine put in under sedation, took about 40 minutes. I was conscious and aware, but felt no pain just a bit of pushing & pulling, and I think did doze of a bit during the procedure. I was alert enough to walk across the hospital for a chest x-ray straight afterwards to check it was in the right place and went out for a pub lunch on the way home! It was sore for about a week afterwards but since then it’s been great.
Mine is due to come out in two or three weeks’ time once rads have finished. Whilst I won’t be sorry to see it go, I’m so glad to have had it.
I think they should be offered as a matter of course, why torture people with repeated failed canulations when a port can avoid all of that.
All - just back from the hospital to have it fitted and I feel fine - I’ve been for a walk with the dog and now catching up on my emails.
I asked for and got sedation - I was awake but I can’t now remember the process at all ! I do know that my face was covered but that is fine - I asked that they didn’t bother telling me what they were up to and to just get on with it which they did.
After the proceedure I went back to my room and had a doze - I was awake cause I could here everything in the corridor but really rested so “sleeping” if you know what I mean. Hubby came to get me at 3 and now the locals have worn off - my neck is a bit stiff but ok and the rest of me is fine.
Nothing to be scared of for sure - I wouldn’t do it without sedation though…
Hi,
well done. I think not knowing what to expect is a big worry plus the inevitable vein hunting. I hope you continue to feel well. I didn’t need any painkillers but had odd sensations inside occasionally which I guess was just the surgery. It all went away in about 5 days so not much to put up with really. I was wide awake when mine was removed but had a general for it to go in. That was their decision. I had no sedative and will not be having anything done wide awake again if I can help it.
Anyway most importantly hope this proves to be as much help to you as mine was. Ask for numbing cream, I took a tube home every time and kept it in the fridge, putting it on before I went for treatment. Ports get better and better as they settle in
Good luck
Lily x
thanks - yes I will - hurts like a very sore thing this morning at the wound site but painkillers will handle that - it’s on the opposite side from my surgery so now I have 2 sore arms !!
Re - coming out - I will just ask for sedation again - should be easy given that I have a port !! LOL
6 mths and it is out - roll on… R
Hi everyone,
I had the portocath fitted yesterday afternoon. I’d hoped to be home last night but they kept me in so they could do all the obs. I think it was because the insertion was delayed and it wasn’t done till after 3 o’clock. It was done with local anaesthetic but i was given a sedative only because I asked for one. I felt the first needle go through but then he injected the sedative and i felt little else.
It was a bit sore last night and this morning and i was given painkillers but it’s not too bad at all now.
One question, the two wounds are covered with cling film like dressings. Anyone know when these can come off? I’m going for prechemo bloods on Monday and chemo on Wednesday.
Regards
Kelley
Hi,
I know I was not allowed to get it wet in the shower but can’t remember how many days, maybe 5 but really not sure. Ring up the ward and ask them. Glad you both had sedatives as I felt a lot without one. You will find that chemo units have their own policies so procedure differs. My unit will not let the phlebotomists (I know I spelt that wrong lol) touch a port so you still have blood from arm veins every time. Others use the port for everything. I had a port that they had not seen before and the nurses struggled at times. My friend had one recently and it went in and was used straight away without any problems. So I think the newer ones are improved. Do you have to wear a wristband with your port?
Thinking of you and hope next week goes as well as these things possibly can
Hugs
Lily x
Thanks Lily
I asked the nurse on the ward and she said the dressing would be taken off when I go for bloods on Monday. The surgeon said it was ready for use straight away.
When I was surfing before I went in i read that they can set off alarms at airports and that you should be given a card to carry. Is that what you meant by the wristband? I’ve been given nothing and I forgot to ask.
Kelley
Hi Kelley
My consultant told me that it is possible that for a Portacath to set off an airport alarm (when you walk through those archways). I’ve taken three flights with mine and this has only happened to me once.
I wasn’t given a wristband; I’ve got a little card, same size as a credit card to carry with me. I always thought the card was for other medical professionals in the event of an emergency, rather than airport security, but I don’t really know.
X
S
Hi,
I never travelled far while my port was in as it was during chemo and felt tied to the hospital like an umbilical chord for some reason. My friend who had her port in this month has to wear a wristband. Anyone know how long it takes for the dent to go after it has been removed?
Lily
I went for bloods this morning - at a small private hospital - and was told she’d never taken blood from a portacath! The duty doctor came down and neither had he. None of the chemo nurses were on duty. Luckily the doctor got blood quite easly using a butterfly needle. Let’s hope there’s no problem when I go for chemo on Wednesday!
Kelley
Hi i dont have a portacath but do have a picc line and when i attend to have bloods taken i just get them to take it straight out of the vein to save the messing about taking the dressing down.