Just wondered if anyone has been in the situation I’m now in.
My Portacath is working perfectly well and doesn’t give me any discomfort.
The problem is that it is getting harder and harder for the nurses to find; it’s been put in my reconstructed breast and it’s well and truly buried. I’ve been told that if they have trouble locating again this week, it’s going to be resited.
Has anyone else had this done? Was it a GA or just sedation?
I’d be grateful to hear of anyone else’s experiences in a similar situation.
I do sympathise as I’ve been having port problems for a while now and I do find it really stressful, especially if they need a second go with the cannula! My port was never visible in the first place, unlike some I’ve seen, so I think the surgeon inserted it deeper than most. I’ve put on 2 stone since then and so the port is deeper as it is surrounded by much an ever-increasing layer of fat! I find I need the numbing gel on for an hour now.
The nurses do have to press quite hard (sometimes another nurse holding it in place) but I’ve mostly had problems with them drawing blood once the cannula’s in (becuase it’s not inserted properly or has hit the edge etc). Saying that, there are some nurses who find it easier to access than others - one who prefers me to lean forward so that it pushes up, and another who prefers me to lie down, so I tend to ask for them if they’re around, or suggest these techniques to anyone who has a problem. At the moment they can still use an inch needle. Is yours deeper than that?
Yup - they put a very small portacath in me - I think it was the only choice left to them because my veins were so buggered. It does make it quite difficult to access, and like you ripley, some nurses can access it no problem, others - who are training in port access - can make me go through the roof.
I actually think it is wiser to put all secondary women on ports because frankly all their veins are going to be rubbish sooner or later - at least that’s my experience anyway.
Bahons,
hi sorry to hear you have this new worry. I winced when I read your and Ripleys post as i can still remember the failed attempts to get into my port last year. I think 5 goes was the worst and it gets so upsetting and then you get tense and it hurts more.They always seemed to make mine deeper by pushing it so hard, but it did start to rise back to the surface once they improved their technique. By the end of chemo, 28 weeks it was trying to break its way out through the surface and sticking out instead. I don’t know whether this is of any help but they do come back up again. Is it a possibility to use a vein for one go (if you can stand it) and give it a rest? Also my friend has just had a port (one you have to wear a id bracelet with) and hers was used within days and so might be worth asking if there are other, better types if you do have it moved.
Lots of luck and Hi Ripley, don’t know how I lost you in the change over of sites.
Lily x
I’m very lucky in that, because the port is in my reconstruction I cannot feel a thing! Which is also why I would not particularly like to see it moved anywhere else.
I have lymphoedema in both arms, so a port is doubly vital; I would be most distressed if it came down to needles in them, and this hasn’t been suggested, only the resiting.
Ripley, my port, too, is not visible and it can take a little while to get blood, but they get there in the end. I’m sure it has got deeper, too. Techniques they’ve tried with me is standing up/putting arm in air (port is quite close to axilla - or it was last week!)/turning neck to one side. They have taken to using a longer needle, too.
The hopsital only uses ports, so all (there’s only 3) the nurses are pretty smoky with them, thank goodness - it’s just that mine seems to be so awkwardly positioned for them and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to help. It seems to slither about…
I had mine put in end of July, Terrible problems to start with and Nurses coudln’t get blood back. One time my boob filled up with saline. Surgeon had trouble fitting because of tumour in lymph nodes but finally had it resited under a local, which I have to admit was painful. Also they found whole thing had rotated as sited too deep in breast tissue but now brilliant, no pain and works well. Does show a bit but hidden by bra.
Hope that helps.
Marmite x
Sorry about this problem you are having with your portacath, as you know I’ve been quite anxious to get mine taken out.
I can’t offer anything about it being difficult to find as mine has always been ok, but you asked about whether its done under GA.
Mine was put in via the collar bone so I have a small lump on the front of my shoulder. It goes down into the central vein. This was done under a local anaesth (spelling?), and wasn’t too bad being done, just a bit of pushing & pulling and sometimes I had to hold my breath.
I will say though that sometimes it does seem to feel a bit achey and I do have problems with laying on that side if I don’t get into the “right” position.
Portacath was pretty well-behaved this week. The nurse told me that they think it has rotated, so that instead of laying flat, it is tilted inside the recon tissue. Anyway, she got a needle in first time, which was great.
So the resiting issue seems to have receded for a bit, thankfully. I don’t think I fancy having one removed and then another put in all under a local - hope it doesn’t come that…
THis wee, on the last ditch attempt, the Portacath co-operated. Phew! They were on the brink of sending me for an X-ray to see what the little blighter was getting up to - and where.
Hi,
well glad they managed it but sorry to hear it is still playing up. Are you managing ok on the latest treatment? Hoping it is not too bad for you
Lily x
I’m feeling very good on Taxol, thanks. Still managing to work p/t, socialise, do everything really; I just get slightly more tired than usual. I’ve had 13 now. They have decided to reinstate the Avastin, too, which, on the whole, I am pleased about.
Yes, the portacath wriggled about when they try to pierce it, but the nurse won in the end!
