Who else has a Power Port?
 

I went for port placement yesterday and I thought I was getting the smaller Bard port. The interventional radiologist put a Power Port in. I told him I heard they were large & didn't want one. He said he had two sizes and the one he put in was the smaller of the two. So he put it in regardless of what I wanted...he said that was the best option for my anatomy. (Gee thanks for letting me have a say in this.) When I got home I'm reading this little "Patient Guide" that came with it and it mentions that you can have MRI's BUT
goes on to say that the device can be scanned under the following conditions. Then it goes into technical stuff. Adjustments, etc.

It even mentions how the MR image quality can be compromised if the area of interest is in the same area that's close to the device. That they will have to optimize MR imaging parameters for the presence of this metallic implant. That bothers me since he placed right below my left collarbone and ran the tubing up over my collarbone into my jugular vein. It feels absolutely awful. It's very uncomfortable and hurts today.

So for any of you that have a Power Point does it affect your MRI's? That's an important area IMO to have scanned for cancer since it goes to nodes in the clavicle, neck & chest areas. Also does anyone else here have their port tubing running over their collarbone into their jugular like this? I don't like this idea at all...I'm worried about kinks and clots now. I had mine in my arm before so this is entirely different to me...maybe this is the normal place for them? Any feedback you have on those two issues would be appreciated.
Chelee

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

I've had my Power Port for over 2 years with no problems. Mine is in the same place as yours is. The only time it bothers me is when I want to wear a lower cut shirt. I haven't had any MRI's since it was placed, but as far as I know it hasn't presented any problems with my PET/CT scans. I love it because they access it for scans. I never have my veins poked!
Good luck with your port...I hope you get used to it & it works well for you.
~Barb

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Hi Chelee,

I did not have a power port, but my port placement was exactly how you describe yours.

I was very aware of it and for the first couple of months I don't think I could turn my head without being aware of it.

I did get use to it and had it over 2 years without a problem.

I hope yours feels more comfortable soon.

take care,

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Chelee,

I had my port placed as yours is now. It was not a power port (at least I do not think it was). You do have some initial soreness, and mine itched just above the port the whole time it was in, not every day, but frequently. After a week or so, you honestly will hardly even notice it is there unless you bump it.

Had that scan today, Chelee.

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Chelee,

I have a power point and like Anna, I had to spend a few weeks - maybe a month getting used to it. Now though, I hardly notice it at all. Mine is placed just like you describe yours.

I have not had any problems with it and it has made having blood drawn and getting my infusions so easy. Prior to that my veins were always waving the white flag when someone tried to access them.

I have not had an MRI yet, and will have the port removed in January before I do.

Alice

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Thanks for all the replies at...sounds like this is the most common way to place a port. The first time around it was in my arm and I have to admit that was much more comfortable to me. I hate this at the moment...the front and back of the left side of my neck hurts. I'm sure it's from where the Radiologist ran (JAMMED) the catheter up there. lol It still hurts to turn my neck or if I have to look up for something....but I'm sure it will get better soon.

The Radiologist was mumbling something while he was placing the port to me. Something about how "they" (Whoever they are?) won't like that it's on the left side??? And something about the direction and connection to the heart. (I wish I knew what he was talking about...has me worried.) What's wrong with putting it on the left side? The right side was my cancer side and I did have a SNB...so what's the problem? Anyone have a clue? What side it your power port on?

Chelee

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

For those here with a Power Port up by your collar bone...which side is yours on? Anyone have theirs on the left side?

Chelee

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Mine is on the right side. I thought they put it there because my mastectomy was on the left . . . not because it needed to be there.

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

I have a power port that was placed over 18 months ago. Mine is on the right side just below the collar bone and, while it took some getting used to, I love it! I am a needle phobic, so this helped with my anxiety regarding treatment. Now I am receiving zometa every three months as part of a study.
When I was scheduled for an MRI the technician said they could not use my port for the dye. Should I request a PET instead?
My CA was on the left side.

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

My power port is on the left side too. My cancer was on the right. I'm so glad I have it as I now go for weekly Herceptin. And it came in handy for the Ct scan I had awhile back.
Take care and hope in God-He is bigger than anything.
Darlene

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Chelee,
My power port is on my right side below the shoulder bone. My cancer was on the left and they had started reconctruction on the right. I had radiation on my left side and they radiated the superclavical nodes on that side also. I think that is why the put it on the right. The tube goes over my bone and into my jugular. It stayed sore and tender for a couple of months. Eventually that will fade and you won't feel it. Mine was inserted Sept. 9. 2008. A very dear friend of mine (we were born the same day!) made me a beautiful tourquise necklace for my birthday which was Sept. 10th. (The day I got my first chemo!) It has taken me almost a year to enjoy it. But now when I wear it, I always get compliments.

I hope to have mine removed around the first of the year. I only have two more treatments to go and my onc has given the OK to get rid of it.

Hang in there! It will get less tender and sore!

Sandra

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Hi Chelee; I had a power port (Bard) up until yesterday. I was "deported". Mine was on my left but placed very differently from where yours is located. Mine was sort of close to my armpit, about where your bra strap would sit. And, not close to my collar bone at all. I will tell you that I never felt it, never had any discomfort from it - even when it was first placed. But, I know women who have had discomfort from their port the entire time they had it. It was explained to me, basically, everyone is different. Where have we heard this before??? The port was the best thing I could do for myself. Unfortunately, for some tests at our hospital, like contrast scans - my port was not used. I didn't insist which maybe I should have. However, the port served its purpose in my case. Now, without the port, I will have a bit of a tough time because I don't have the best veins. One thing to mention...use emla an hour before you have it accessed. You won't feel anything, including the pressure (maybe just a little). I also use emla on my hand before I have blood drawn and it's so less painful.
There is nothing whatsoever wrong with a port on the left side.
I wish you little discomfort and hoping all goes well for you - best wishes, robind

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Hi Chelee--
I had a Port Placement on 9/23 about a week prior to you.

I do not know if it is a "power" one or not--Mine is on R side just as you describe yours. My BC was on the L side.

I am still getting used to it--still a bit uncomfortable --and I do not know how the MRI thing works, I have my monthly Onco appt this Friday and will be having my 6 mo MRI soon--and will ask him about this.

Enjoy life--

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Mom is scheduled for a port next week. I asked the nurse if it was the standard Bard port and she nodded. Saw a groovy DVD on it with port cheerleading/testimonials.
What is the diff between the ports?

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

The Bard power port is the newest kind, state of the art. These can be accessed for just about every need/test that either has to have a blood draw or receive medications.

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Any idea if they pick the standard over power port for stage IV?
Bard power port here:
http://www.bardaccess.com/port-powerport.php
This bit had me wondering-
"It combines reliable venous access with the unique ability for power-injected Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) scans. Power-injected CECT scans produce superior images to help better manage patient care. Such scans are often used to track tumor markers or perform pulmonary embolism studies."


another link here:
http://www.whichinterventionaldevice...powerport.aspx

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Rich66, not sure, I do feel it depends on the training of the person who is inputting the port. Interventional radiologists - that's who put mine in at Sloan Kettering, didn't ask me. The center that I went to on Tuesday to have it removed, a cardiovascular center - the doctor (interventional radiologist) was surprised that I had a powerport as this one has not been around all that long and not many IR's are educated in placement. My guess is that the stage of one's cancer isn't of concern here.
Robind

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

Chelee. I have had a Power Port for about two years. I have had no problems with it and I don't notice it most of the time. The first port that I had was not a power port. It was more obvious than this one and hurt all the time.

leslie

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

I had a brain MRI with my right sided power port in place. They made a big deal about it at the imaging center because it is metallic but eventually decided it was OK, which I already knew since I had actually read the literature that comes with it. They used a regular IV for the study because at least in my area it is hard to find a nurse or tech who knows how to access one outside of the onco office. The MRI came out fine with no interference, and was also normal :)
I had it taken out recently and although it never did bother me much after the first few weeks, I am more confortable now that I can sleep on my right side again.

Re: Who else has a Power Port?
 

It sounds like my power port is placed pretty much normal after all the feedback. My arm port the 1st time around was so much better & easier to access. This Power Port is so BIG I can't stand it! It's uncomfortable and it still hurts. My seat belt rides on top of it & its painful. Plus I'm still not use to it being placed in my chest & I'm forever scratching it...bumping it with something. I just don't like it...I liked my "little" baby port I had the 1st time. It was so small compared to this hugh thing.
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Rich66 that is some great info you posted. I liked the 2nd link you posted and found it very interesting! I had concerns from day one about these so called "Palpation Points" placed on the port. For me personally they are uncomfortable & feel as if in time they might come thru the skin. (I even mentioned this to my chemo nurse & onc.) Now from reading that link you posted it even mentions that is has & does happen.

>>>With regards the palpation points, I have heard reports of several cases where these have eroded through the skin. Whilst this maybe related to the insertion technique, the fact it has happened at all coupled with their rather tenuous benefit (in my opinion), raises questions as to whether they should be removed from the port design.<<<

I have found I have to demand someone be found that knows how to access my power port. Whats the point in having it if no one knows how to use it? My 1st PET/CT the tech used the vein in my arm (Only one I have left!!) when I told him I had a power port. Then yesterday I had a MRI of femur, & ilium and I had to insist they find someone that knew how to use the port. I nicely explained I have a power port & there better be someone that knows how to use it. Eventually they did find someone.

Chelee