Port and Swimming???

[Ceesun]

Hi Friends, Is it possible to have a port and go swimming? Had one in 2003, but not since that time. I may have to get one again for treatment in the future. Thanks, Ceesun

[Jackie07]

Found an old abstract which mentioned about children going swimming with a port:

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=swimming%20and%20port-a-cath#) 1997 Aug;8 Suppl 1:S11-4.
Central venous access devices in children with hemophilia: an update.

Blanchette VS (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Blanchette%20VS%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=9351530), Al-Musa A (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Al-Musa%20A%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=9351530), Stain AM (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Stain%20AM%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=9351530), Ingram J (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Ingram%20J%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=9351530), Fille RM (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Fille%20RM%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=9351530).
Source

Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

The most frequent indication for placement of a central venous access device in hemophiliacs is in very young boys (ages 1-2 years) with severe hemophilia who are started on a program of long-term factor prophylaxis designed to eliminate target joint bleeding and the development of chronic musculoskeletal disease. Although expensive, this strategy is extremely successful. It involves intravenous infusion of 25-40 factor units per kg on alternate days (minimum 3 times a week) for boys with severe hemophilia A, and twice a week for boys with severe hemophilia B. To facilitate this prophylaxis regimen some hemophilia clinics routinely recommend placement of a central venous access device; others, more concerned about associated complications such as sepsis, stress the importance of using peripheral veins wherever possible, with central access devices reserved for occasional, selected cases only. A decision to use such a device should only be made after discussion of the risks/benefits with parents (or guardians) and with patients if of an appropriate age. If such a system is to be used, we recommend that a totally implantable device (Port-A-Cath) be placed because of the lower risk of infection, and because totally implantable devices allow children to take part in activities such as swimming. Important complications include catheter-related sepsis, which may occur in 25% or more of devices over time and, much less frequently, catheter-related deep vein thrombosis.

[jacqueline1102]

I had a port put in last October and have had no issues with swimming or getting into the hot tub. I can't do the butterfly but never really could so no big deal. You might try an easy water aerobics class to see if that is something your body can handle. I think it's great that you are asking about swimming because it's easy to just become lackadaisical. Take care.

Jackie

[sassy]

I had my port for three years or so and went swimming all the time no problem. I can't actually think of anything my port interferred with, or prohibited me from doing.

[Bunty]

No problem with swimming if you have a port. I was told by one of the oncology nurses to not swim on the same day after you've had it accessed, as I had mentioned I was on my way to the beach after having Herceptin. That worried me a little, as I had gone swimming in the ocean other times immediately following treatment, but hey, I'm still here! But I do think it's probably best not to swim straight after an infusion. Cheers

[snolan]

I swam with mine with no problems.

[Kellennea]

I also swam with no issues. Only issue I ever had with my Power Port was playing "Just Dance" on my Wii a few days after it was placed.

[Nancy L]

No problems with mine. It has been in for 7 years.

[kk1]

For the past eight years I have continued to scuba dive (<40ft) , swim, and hot tub with mine without a problem :)

[KsGal]

No problems with swimming whatsoever, do it all the time.

[sarah]

Had mine for 8 years (6 years doing Herceptin every 3 weeks) and have had no issues with swimming, etc. Think it sounds like good advice to not swim immediately after an infusion but ask them about that.