Port placement with only local anesthesia?

[Erin]

Hello Everyone,
My computer has been down and work has been busy and so I have not been on the site for a while.

I am scheduled for my port on 3/5 (delayed since I got cellulitis from the my first round of TCH in a vein). Evidently they put the in using only local anesthesia...is this normal. Several women I have spoken with had general anesthesia....

Thanks,
Erin

[mslinda]

Hi Erin:

I had my port put in with a local. Although they gave me something that put me in a fog. I was awake during the whole process. I could feel like my doctor was sitting on my chest and pushing and pushing, but didn't care one way or the other. No pain during, but very uncomfortable afterwards when everything wore off. Only for about 24 hours. Noting unbearable with pain medication. Hope this helps.

Linda

[Barbara2]

When my port was removed, I had a history of SVT's...a racing heart that could take off at a super high rate at any given time, so they didn't want to give me anesthesia. We went with the local.


It went fine. Probably took 1/2 hour or less. The Dr. talked to me off and on during that time...asking me if I was OK, etc. It all went well. Can't remember any pain during or after.

[caya]

My port was also placed using a local, although they did give me something to put me in a "fog" state". They put a dressing over it and told me not to get it wet for about 3 days - so I just took baths and avoided getting that area wet. Not a big deal. The 24 hours after was painful, again nothing unbearable with painkillers.


Hope this helps
Caya

[Erin]

Thanks for all your input. Several of you mentioned being given a med that made you relax. The radiologist office has said that I will be able to drive myself home directly after the appt. How did you feel? Were you able to do that?
Thanks!

[caya]

Erin,

I had mine done in a hospital and they don't allow you to go home yourself - I would not advise this - You might feel a bit groggy, in some pain etc.

Caya

[tricia keegan]

Erin I also had mine in with just a very strong sedative so I don't remember much but would'nt have been able to drive myself home as I was quite sleepy.

When I had my port out though I was just given a local and felt fine but was kept in for a few hours as I was bleeding quite a bit but was fine and could have driven that day.
Tricia

[Brenda_D]

They gave me Twilight Sleep, for mine. I don't remember a thing.

[mts]

Where is your port going to placed? In the chest? I think you will be OK w/out general anesthesia... but I went to the hospital for mine. I had it out a month ago in the office and no problem... you do get about 6 little shots to numb the area first. Those stung... but afterwards I just felt a bit of tugging and pressure. No pain afterward and I drove myself home.

MTS (maria)

[tousled1]

I had my port put in with a local anesthesia although the surgeon also gave me something that put me in twilight. After I had the port put in I went directly to the oncologist's office and had my first round of A/C.

[PatS]

My mother had a port place for something other than cancer and because of her health they just gave her a local, no anesthesia or twilight and she was fine. We went out to dinner on our way home. Hers was put in by an Interventional Radiologist.

Pat

[Soccermom]

Dear Erin,
My first port was a "subclavian catheter" which was done with a local. My "implanted port " was done under general anesthesia.
Warmly,Marcia

[Chelee]

They decided to put my port in my upper arm where a blood pressure cuff would go. I was already in the hospital due to a low "ANC" count so they just rolled me off to have it placed.

It was no big deal at all for me. It was just "local" and they didn't even give me anything to relax me or put me in a fog as some of you said. I was quite wide awake and very aware of what he was doing. He had a blue sheet draped over my arm so I couldn't see it while he put it in...but he would tell me what he was doing such as cleaning the area and numbing it up. After that, I felt absolutely nothing. It was a breeze. Now it was quite bruised and it was sore for about a week. But I think that was due to me being on chemo already and a low ANC count. Plus they had been giving me heperin. (sp) "Blood thinners". So I am sure thats why it bruised. I know having a port makes this whole thing so much easier.

Chelee

[MCS]

mine was using a local. i was very surprised becasue i was not told before hand. imagine my surprise


Felt pushing and pressure but that's all. was not given anything for twilight zone.

afterwards, ok but was given a sedative to get to home and threw it all up when i got home- have to drive up hills to get home

It feels like a root canal, the pushing. Nurses and doc talked but I was not in the mood. too scared.

close eyes and do breathing exercises

Love

MCS ( maria)