Did anyone request a port for chemo?

Hel39,

I will be starting Chemo soon (I hope) and my veins are awful, when I had my last MRI it took 6 attempts to find a vein, I've always had problems, so I will be asking if it's possible to have port as I don't want the stress every time I go, so will let you know x

Thank you. 

Hello Hel39 - I have just had a Port inserted as my veins are rubbish. Had one chemo.   Port insertion went ok - had two lots of local (no sedative though). Go for it  - saves a lot of stress in future chemos. 

Hi there,  I asked about a portacarth (in chest) but from what I understand they are more difficult for nurses to take blood as not do many trained, doctors seem to prefer a PiCC line to be used.  I’m due to have mine put in this week

Hi, Hel39

At my pre chemo appointment with the oncologist, she looked at my veins and gave me the choice to have a PICC Line inserted or not. I went for it, and it’s no problem. 

I have just had 3 x 3 EC sessions, and have 12 more weekly starting May 13th  

So much easier with the PICC

X

Hi. I had a Porocath and it was fine. Done under local and didn't feel a thing.  Nurses have to be specially trained to access it. It's not more difficult  its just down ti training. The needle is a little thicker  and you do need your emla numbing cream. If you have weekly treatment it can get a little sore. Bloods then 2 days later treatment. What I ended up doing was  having blood from my arm and treatment in my port. Hope it helps you with your descision. 

Hi Hel39

I was told by the onco doctor at the start to go for the picc line as the EC could cause problems with the skin if it leaked (glad I did now)

it is so much easier for bloods and treatment

hope your doing ok 

I've just had my 3rd EC last week now on to  Docetaxel -dreading this one after reading all the other posts as I've been very lucky on EC no side effects at all 

Thanks everyone. Think I was under the impression that the port was painless when needle went in. Maybe I’d be better with a picc line. I can cope with the insertion of the device as a one off but just can’t cope with the needle going in every time. x

I had a port.  I could still feel the needle as it went in, but it’s a single sharp pain and then done, nothing like the prodding around for the catheter when my veins were acting up.  And you can put emla  cream on an hour before and make it completely numb, I was given a supply but could never be bothered to use it.  But a PICC is completely painless to use and easier to fit and remove, so maybe ask for that.  I preferred the port as you don’t need to keep it dry, but it does require two small operations to fit and remove and does leave a scar. 

Thank you. Yeah, I’m thinking a picc sounds better. I do have Emla cream which I’ve started using even just for the filgrastim injections. I was never like this and it’s like a growing needle paranoia through surgeries and chemo. 

thanks for all the advice everyone xx