Pain around chemo port?
 

I've been reading this forum for a while now and have a question about sharp pains around my port (installed around 9/13/07 just below my collar bone). My onc says that it feels as though it is fine but every now and again (usually after some type of activity involving reaching overhead for something) I get very sharp pains that come and go for a day or two. Most of the time I don't even know its there now that I'm used to it, but these sharp pains make me crazy. I've been doing so well with all this that I'm not used to having such a problem. Also, I have a choice of getting Herceptin every week or every three weeks. What do you all recommend?

Hi Marie!
My port area did the same thing for a while. I finally decided it must be something "inside" (I know absolutely nothing about how it works) that was adjusting or something. But it finally stopped. I had forgotten about it until I read your message!
I do herceptin every 3 weeks, but I'm 3 1/4 hours away; so maybe that's why. I works well for me and lets me be a "regular" gal for a while before going back again! I'm working hard to stay on it "forever" so this is a good schedule for me. ma

Thank you so much Mary Anne,
At least I know that I'm not crazy and that it may stop pretty soon! Thanks also for the input on the Herceptin which I start next month. Tomorrow is my last round of AC so I really have something to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi Marie
 

Hi Marie, I had some pain off and on with my port for about the first three monthes then it just went away.
I get my herceptin infusion every Friday, I find that's easier for me. I'm lucky that I live practically across the street from the infusion center.
Hugs

I'm not sure but I read that some ports are stitched in place. If your's is, maybe reaching, etc, is pulling at the muscle, where it's stitched in place?
I had a lot of soreness around my port all during chemo. Seems it just started to heal and it was time for chemo again. It also hurt when I laid on that side at night, and pushed against it.
It's much better now, and most times I forget it's there.
I get Herceptin every 3 weeks, and I'm glad because I don't think I'd have time to heal enough from the stick, between infusions, if it was every week.
I'd recommend the 3 week regime as long as you don't have any problems with the strength of the 3 week dosage.

Maybe the pains you are experiencing are just part of the healing process. Hopefully in time the pains you are experiencing will fade away. Good luck.

Marie, I know of one women that said her port bothered her for over a month but it eventually went away. I see you've had yours in for two months now. It might just be the placement of it is irratating some nerves under there or something? I would mention it to my oncologist if this continues. Maybe its some sort of dissovlable surtures that were used around the port that are pulling and causing this? But you don't need to be dealing with all the sharp pains...I would mention this to your oncologist at your next visit and see what he/she says. I hope it gets better for you soon.

As to herceptin I did mine weekly but I am only 10 minutes from my cancer center. Plus when I first started herceptin I was told weekly was better. But every three weeks seems to work just fine because that is what most women do. Its sure easier that way. Its better then going down to the cancer center every week. Towards the end of my herceptin treatment I switched to every 3 weeks and it was a NICE change. :) Either way is fine...do what's easiest for you. :) Good luck to you.

Chelee

I had a lot of discomfort from my port for about a month after it was "installed" :-) It finally resolved on its own.

I started with herceptin on the 3 week cycle, but I got so much joint pain that I decided to go on it weekly. The smaller dose is supposed to help with the joint achiness - it certainly has for me. It is much better now.