OT: health question. IV Port… Issues? Risks? Can Cause Desmoids???

[Coronita]

Ok here goes a long shot…
I’ve already asked other forums etc, and just wanted to get some additional info if by chance one or more of you know what I’m talking about.

Hey, piggs have been known to know a lot of random things besides RE….

So…I’m getting sick and tired of getting pricked with a needle…and risk having someone pricking me screw up and risk leaking my infusions, causing the agents to burn surrounding tissue.

Also, a pick line isn’t really much better since it can rip out of the arm, and needs special attention to keep it in full time.

So.. A doctor suggested I get an “IV port”
(Inquiring minds, go here…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_%28medical%29
)

Question

1)Anyone know of anyone that got one of these things? If so, any risks, any issues, any complications?

2)Long shot…Anyone know or heard of the possibility if someone who is proned to developing desmoid tumors from surgery can develop a desmoid from getting an IV port, considering it requires “minor surgery” to do it???

[CAwireman]

I’ve only had experience giving my spouse shots with the little micro needles after she had surgery. She got tired of the little stab wounds too, but aside from that, was okay afterwards. Never needed to try other options. I improved over time and sometimes, she barely felt them. Best of luck Flu.

[an]

According to my wife, one of the risk is infection. But she say that’s the same risk with a pick line as well. There’s a certain process to prepping the area before accessing the port and if the nurse cut corner, then there would be a risk for infection. She also said the majority of patients who require chemo have the IV Port. As you already know, it just make it easier and not have to get pricked. One complication that you might run into is if it gets clogged. But she said a pick line can also get clocked too. You can get it unclogged though.

[sdrealtor]

My mother had one in the early 90’s. After it was no longer needed or used for a while it got clogged and stopped working so she had it removed. Never had any real issues with it that i can rememeber

[eavesdropper]

[quote=flu]So…I’m getting sick and tired of getting pricked with a needle…and risk having someone pricking me screw up and risk leaking my infusions, causing the agents to burn surrounding tissue.

So.. A doctor suggested I get an “IV port” [/quote]

If it was your doctor who is supervising your treatment program who suggested it, go for it if the injection thing is getting to you.

If it’s another doctor who is not involved in your care, check with your doc to ensure that it’s appropriate in your case.

At the least, it might help you avoid some of the vein sclerosis that can result from IV chemotherapy.

[quote=flu] …..2)Long shot…Anyone know or heard of the possibility if someone who is proned to developing desmoid tumors from surgery can develop a desmoid from getting an IV port, considering it requires “minor surgery” to do it???[/quote]

Seeing as how there is only a virtual handful of physician/scientists who have significant experience in the behavior of desmoid tumor cells, I’ll stay away from that one.

Go here. All desmoids, all the time:

http://listserv.acor.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ACOR.EXE?A0=DESMOID

Some very well-informed contributors.

[UCGal]

Both my mom and brother had combos of Ports and PICC lines due to chemo and hospital stays.

My brother’s situation was complicated by the fact that he had previously had his lymph nodes removed under one of his armpits (due to a previous, unrelated cancer treatment) – making that arm unfit for BP cuffs, IVs, etc. The nurses at the hospital used to forget, regularly – even though there were signs above his bed, it was on his chart, etc, that they needed to do BP on his leg because the other arm was full of tubes.

The big risk is infection. I know the visiting nurse (when he wasn’t in the hospital) would do inspections of the port.

Both my brother and mom liked it better with the port – less sticks. Especially for chemo. It also offered more freedom of movement than an IV to the arm… which was nice when you’re sitting in a chemo chair for hours on end, and need to change a page, shift position, whatever.

[zzz]

While this is considered a minor and relatively “routine” type surgical procedure, just make sure you pick a good surgeon. Have a family member who had what her oncologist said was one of the worst port procedures he’s seen done and shes in constant pain from the port.

[Author]

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