Message Boards for the CF Trust

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Jessaroony

Posts: 49
From: Stow-on-the-Wold
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Having a port
Posted: 26-Nov-2006 22:04

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Hi guys,

After having more trouble getting a PICC line in for more IV's, I've decided to have a port.

I have a few questions if you don't mind?

1. I'm a complete wimp so have opted for a general instead of local, what are your opinions?

2. I'm having it so it is hidden by my bra strap, but how much will it stick out?

3. How long after having it fitted will I be on my feet racing around like a mad woman?

4. If I have a general can I go home the same day if I promise to take it easy?!!!

Thanks for any advice!!

Jess
xxx

Daisy!

Posts: 40
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: Having a port
Posted: 26-Nov-2006 22:34

Reply

Hey!
*I had mine general, didnt think of/wasnt offered a local
*Mine doesnt stick out at all really!
*Well it will probably be a bit sore for a bit!
*You'll probably need to stay in and also have some IV's with a general!
x

bumble

Posts: 30
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: Having a port
Posted: 26-Nov-2006 22:38

Reply

hey jess
Answer 1- i personally would advise against a general. I too am abit of a wuss but i really didn't know anything about it until the op had finished. I slept all the way though with this nice drug they gave me ( think it was called dizapan( spelling?)), much better than a general which would of probs of meant a 2 week stay in hospital after, compared to 1 night after the local.

Answer 2- Mine is under my bra strap too an i think its personally the best place. No one knows its there an its out the way. Mine doesn't stick out at all an don't think it does with many girls as we have breast tissue there for it to bury in too

Answer 3- Each to the indivual i guess, i was back at my gym 3 days after having mine fitted, left it couple of weeks b4 was on the rowing machine. Think it would of taken me longer to recover from a chest point of view if i'd of had a general though.

Answer 4- doubt they'd let you home so soon after a general, you'd have to ask the doc's though

DimBloke

Posts: 102
Registered: 11-Nov-2006

Re: Having a port
Posted: 26-Nov-2006 22:39

Reply

I don't think anyone can really answer exactly what you're asking (except the bra strap part which I'm not really qualified to answer

).

How you react to general anaesthetic depends on your lung function, how wheezy you are etc. Also, there are lots of different drugs that can be combined to make a general anaesthetic. My girlfriend (wocf) had two wisdom teeth out and was very nauseous and sick afterwards and they kept her in a couple of days; when she had her other 2 wisdom teeth out they used a different combination of drugs for the general anaesthetic and she felt absoluely fine afterwards and was discharged a couple of hours after the op.

So, what I'm saying is I can't say how quickly you'll be up and about and racing about like a mad woman but it is possible that they may let you home the same day (but don't get too upset if they don't).

Good luck with the port

*Laura*

Posts: 98
From: Warrington, Cheshire
Registered: 15-Mar-2004

Re: Having a port
Posted: 26-Nov-2006 22:40

Reply

Hey Jess,

I had my port fitted about 3 years ago - still going strong! (In fact after 2 years of not bleeding back, it changed it's mind and decided to work at my last clinic appt - LOL).

1. I'm a complete wimp so have opted for a general instead of local, what are your opinions?
If you're well enough and don't normally have a bad reaction to a general then I'd go with that. Mine was done under general - I didn't really like the idea of being awake! eek!

2. I'm having it so it is hidden by my bra strap, but how much will it stick out?
Do you mean at the side? That's where mine is. It depends how skinny you are really... When I had mine fitted it hardly stuck out at all, but I've lost quite a bit of weight recently and it does stick out a bit now. You can't really see though because it's kind of concealed by my arm. Also, I like the fact that my bra covers it - makes it feel a bit more "protected".

3. How long after having it fitted will I be on my feet racing around like a mad woman?
Should only be a couple of days or so. It can be a bit sore afterwards, but you should be given some strong painkillers for it - co-codamol/codeine.

4. If I have a general can I go home the same day if I promise to take it easy?!!!
Hmm.. not sure. They might want to keep you in depending on how well you are. I was on IVs leading up to the op so I was as well as possible for it. I think it depends on your hospital/docs.

Btw, if you go on pwcf.net, in the Tips and Info section - there's an article thing that I wrote about when I had my port fitted if you want to read it.

Laura

*Laura*

Posts: 98
From: Warrington, Cheshire
Registered: 15-Mar-2004

Re: Having a port
Posted: 26-Nov-2006 22:43

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LOL, I guess everyone was replying at the same time!

Rubabes

Posts: 32
From: North East
Registered: 13-Nov-2006

Re: Having a port
Posted: 27-Nov-2006 09:37

Reply

Hi Jess,

I had my port done with local anesthetic - didn't feel it at all. I was nervous before it but if you can bring yourself to have a local rather than a general then the plus side is you are much more likely to get out and be running around quickly especially if your lungs are in good shape. Mine were at about 45% at that time and I was 'let out' the same day. Usually they keep you in overnight just to check there are no problems. I expect it'll be longer with a general.

It was a bit sore for about 3 days - but was out and about the day after (pain-killers are great!) and I still did a concert 2 days after the op!! Have to say it hurt though and it wasn't just my playing that was painful!!! Didn't know what it would be like at the time so just assumed I would be ok.....I reckon about 3/4 days to recover if all goes well - but everyone is different.

Hope it goes well,
love R

BeckySerenDylan

Posts: 146
From: Suffolk
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: Having a port
Posted: 27-Nov-2006 10:27

Reply

My son is 2 yrs 3 months old, and has had 2 port operations. One to fit, and one to replace.

1. I'm a complete wimp so have opted for a general instead of local, what are your opinions?

We weren't offered a local, and my son coped very well with the general anaesthetics both times.

2. I'm having it so it is hidden by my bra strap, but how much will it stick out?

Dylan's first port was VERY prominent, but his new one is a lot smaller and hardly sticks out at all now.

3. How long after having it fitted will I be on my feet racing around like a mad woman?

Dylan was bouncing up and down in his cot three and a half hours after coming back onto the children's ward, happy as anything. He needed no pain medication after surgery either.

4. If I have a general can I go home the same day if I promise to take it easy?!!!

Dylan had to stay in overnight, as his was done at 2 pm and finished at 4 pm, but if he'd had it done early in the morning, he could have gone home that night, we were told.

Hope that helps!

Becky x

Jax

Posts: 11
Registered: 06-Nov-2006

Re: Having a port
Posted: 27-Nov-2006 10:49

Reply

Hi Jess

I don't have a port so can't help you, but when I was at hospital last week getting my PICC line out, I did ask about getting one.
Would I need a general or local anesthetic - I am also a complete wimp!! I was told that usually if you have it fitted under your bra strap you have a general as they ocasionally have to poke about abit

But, if you have it in the front of your chest the vein is much easier to access and therefore a local is given. HTH. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Jax x

Message was edited by: Jax

spanglophile

Posts: 100
From: Sunny Norfolk
Registered: 09-Feb-2004

Re: Having a port
Posted: 27-Nov-2006 15:23

Reply

Hi Jess,

I think ports are fabulous, but I want to put forward the pros and cons of having one where you've suggested. Don't take it as negative, I just think people don't always mention everything becasue all us port-users love our ports to bits! Please also note that every portacath is different and this is just my experience.

Mine's under my bra - not the vertical strap but the bit that goes round you, to the side of the cup. It's great because it's so hidden (even with my size A chest!), but the only problems I would say about having it there are if you lie on your side when sleeping it might be a bit painful when you're on IVs, and if you wear an underwired bra the wire may dig in, also being a bit ouchy. I've got round this by buying really unattractive sports bras for the 2 weeks I have IVs, and it works a treat! I really wouldn't want a port anywhere else, as I can sit in a bikini and still no one would see it.

Having a port in the bra region means they have to not only put the port in place, but tunnel the tubing under your skin to get it in the right place, so there's a bit of extra work than if they put it straight on the front of your chest. If I feel in the right place I can just about feel the tube under my skin going from my port up to the point where it goes inwards. At the point at which they push the tube inwards they will make a little cut which may scar (mine looks like a chicken pox scar).

The actual bump of the port is hardly visible under my skin, but the scar is a bit prominent - it depends how well you heal, I think. My scar after 3 years has faded quite a lot though.

I had a local anaesthetic both times I had a port put in. It was fine and I'd always prefer that than the extra risks you get from having a general. However, I was awake (but feeling quite drunk) when it was going on, and although I felt absolutely no pain, there were times when I knew what was going on (eg I felt them trying to pull my old port out because it was a bit stuck). If you're squeamish, then this may make you decide to go for a general.

I stayed in overnight both times and was out the next day. I don't think I needed any pain killers, and was racing around like a mad woman pretty darn quickly.

justme

Posts: 188
Registered: 06-Feb-2004

Re: Having a port
Posted: 27-Nov-2006 16:00

Reply

I am a complete and utter wimp to then! as i had a new port put in in may and general was the only option for me- something about being awake while being cut open just doesnt appeal to me so refused to have a local.

The amount the port sticks out depends on the size of the port and how skinny you are! so for me you wouldnt be able to tell i had a port if it wasnt for the ugly scar that i have. I dont particularly like the scar because my body has a habit of over healing and so i got a pronounced scar (cant remember the technical term for the kind of scar it is).

It took me about a week before I was really able to start going out and doing loads and then about another week after that i was back to my normal irritating self!

I had my port put in at about 3pm friday afternoon and I went home on saturday afternoon, after about 24hrs. I preferably would of gone home friday night if I could but my hospital like you to stay in at least one night just in case theyve punctured your lung accidently while putting the port in.

Oh guess i should also say is that my current port has been placed on the front of my chest in some breast tissue, not overly happy with this, as a) its in the place where i had my original port which took a rather big bashing to it in the end and i dont think it ever really fully recovered and b) because of the current position of my port it means needling it in the week, before, during and after a period it is extremely tender to touch so is a no go area unless absolutely necessary. Just something to bear in mind.
As much as i prefered my old ports to having longlines etc, i still like the ports i just dont overly like my new one as much as my old ones!
Hope some of that is helpful to you