Getting a mediport and need advice.

[Crohnaroideramasis]

I have an appointment with a surgeon to get a medi port put in for my Remicade infusions. My veins are impossible! I am really nervous about getting the port. Is it painful on a daily basis? Is it difficult to wear clothing over it? I'm also worried about possible infection, since I am taking ammunosupressant drugs. Is there any maintenance to keep up with in- between remicade infusions?
Any and all input/ advice is welcome.

 

[Ihurt]

I am not sure about the mediport, hopefully someone else will chime in. I do know a lady who has had a pic line in for years. She has gastroparesis and cannot eat really at all so she takes all her nutrients through a permanat pic line. I know there is a risk of infections with this. She has to be VERY careful not to get the area infected or dirty. She is a nurse, so that helps as she knows how it all works so that makes it easier for her in a sense.

Why are they putting a mediport in? Is it because they are having trouble finding a good vein when you go for the weekly infusions? How long will you have to have this mediport in for??

 

[Crohnaroideramasis]

Thank you for responding. My veins are constantly blowing whenever I try to get an iv or remicade infusions or have blood taken etc. At my last Remicade infusion the nurses were adamant that I have one, since I have so much trouble with my veins and dehydration from vomiting and not eating. Each time its worse and i was told my veins will only get worse from the steroids and other meds. I was told I was a good candidate. However, I am super nervous and sad that it will make me look even more like a monster. I will have in the mediport for as long as I get my infusion. Basically, indefinitely.

 

[jlm]

Hey I have a port. It's in my upper rights chest. Besides a small scar you wouldn't notice it at all when it's not needled in. I'm pretty thin so if you look closer you can see the port and the tube that goes over my collar bone. The procedure was really simple I didn't feel or remember a thing afterwards. I will say that my shoulder was sore for a few weeks and my arm was pretty useless. I use my port everyday so I stay needled in and change the needle my self once a week. You'll probably just need to use it when you have your infusions. I believe the port should be heperinized once a month so depending on when your infusions are that would be the only maintence. As long as the nurses access it properly (which I'm sure they ill) you shouldn't worry about infections, plus you won't be using it daily.

 

[afidz]

I have never had one but i was close with a cancer patient who did, he said the incision was tender but thats to be expected. he said it didn't hurt. most of the time he didn't even feel it. I would lay with him in bed and if i accidentally put my head on it he said it was a litle tender, but getting it accessed didn't seem to bother him at all. hope this helps!

 

[Crohnaroideramasis]

Thank you for the great information! I go in a few days and I was finding myself getting extremely nervous about it. ( strange, because I'm usually so brave).

 

[afidz]

just try not to dwell on the upcoming procedure, or if you want to dwell on it think about how easy its going to make your life. No more sticks and digging for veins. no more bruises all over your arms from sticking and digging!

 

[{lisa}]

I had a port put in last month because of blown veins, etc. The procedure itself was pretty easy but the following couple of days I hurt like mad. It felt like I was punched really really hard. So ask for pain meds, as tylenol wasn't helping. It's on the upper right side of my chest too. I'll have a one inch scar above the spot where the access point is, and that's no bigger than the size of nickel and is raised only slightly. I wore a scarf til my steri-strips came off. You will definitely NOT look like a monster! The pain lasted for several days from the procedure but they were able to access it with no problem. I did get a script for Emla cream to put on an hour before my infusion to numb it. That worked really nicely too. It was weird having my arms free and my infusion got started on time! That never happened before the port!

 

[sanni]

I had a port for iv hydration and nutrition for two years. Putting it in place was not painful and once it was there it never caused pain. I was able to do my iv's at home because of it. There is a chance and risk of infection. That is one reason I lost my port. The up side was I got a new hydration and nutrition plan not needing iv.

If giving Remicade is so much trouble why not swich it to Humira? I mean a port is not with out big risks so would that not be a nicer option to do?

 

[{lisa}]

I would love to be back on Humira but I had an allergic reaction to it. So Remicade it is for me.

 

[debbie261]

I was also very nervous about getting mine but it was not nearly as bad as I had allowed myself to think it would be.