Pooped out with problems from port

[Marie D]

I have a med port, the kind they implant in your chest, according to dye test it has slipped up in the vein a bit. However above the port in the area around the catheter it is inflamed and red and painful. Anyone have information on possible problems with these ports?

[Kristin]

My mom originally got her first port in her leg because she developed a blood clot in her chest. That gave her so many problems, she experienced a burning in her lower back and could swear she felt it in her groin when she sat up. Needless to say she had it removed and then was able to get a chest one. If there is a problem show your doctor, they may need to get you a new one, sometimes they are defective. Hope this helps.
Kristin

[Lolly]

Be sure they check this out carefully; you can develop clots, infections, etc. with these devices. I'm on my third port, so don't be afraid to have it replaced if it's giving you problems.

<3,
Lolly

[Lyn]

Hi there, anything red and inflamed usually means infection. I always have anti-biotics in my cupboard at home, having been doing this for so long and in my 8th year of treatment I know when something is amiss with me. I use Keflex, it is an anti-biotic used for a lot of things, including bladder infections which is a nuisance with chemo. I have had my port for just over 4 years and had no problems, when not in use I have a flush and heperin to keep the vein open, but as I seem to be more in treatment than out it is surprising that mine has lasted as long as has and it is just under the surface of my skin and sticks out, ugly site but not much I can do. It doesn't take much for a bug to get into them, believe it or not I think the hospitals have more germs than anywhere else so it only takes a microscopic germ to be on the skin when it is accessed. If you haven't done so already and If you are unable to see your doc or onc, go to the ER of your hospital and they will sort it out for you.


Love & Hugs Lyn

[Marie D]

Thanks everyone for your kind replies, they have decided to take out the port or reposition it, I don't know it s impossible to get answers in a reasonable amount of time. In the interim I have insisted on antibiotics.. and they did prescribe keflex. Doesn't seem to have any effect yet, I am worn out. Lolly, what went wrong with your ports, that scares me.

[Lolly]

Hi Marie; I'm glad they're doing something about your port. My first port lasted 2 and 1/2 years, then the catheter broke and it all had to be taken out and replaced. That one was hard to infuse and draw from, I kept having to get my Herceptin through an arm vein instead, so after about 6 months of that it was replaced with one that has the catheter threaded into my shoulder vein, and it has worked beatifully for over a year...Try not to worry, I know it's easier said than done, but keep us posted.

<3,
Lolly