Remicade and Portacath

[cateva]

I am new to the forum, and I have already found a lot of helpful advice here. I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2008. I have been on Remicade for six years and it has been a great treatment for me. I am in remission now. I have perianal disease and a fistula, but the Remicade has been very helpful, and I now lead a relatively normal life--as normal as can be expected.

I receive my Remicade treatment every eight weeks, and my two good veins are now scar tissue. My last infusion was Saturday and the nurses took 25 minutes trying to find a vein to use for the IV. My veins are impossible (very small), and the only two good ones are now a problem. The nurses suggested I have a portacath put in to save my veins. My doctor agrees and wants to refer me to a interventional radiologist to place the port.

It seems drastic to me, maybe because it is invasive. It is also a constant reminder that I am not well. I am also worried about infection etc. Does anyone here on the forum have a port to administer their biologic? Can you offer any advice?

Thanks so much.

 

[cateva]

I just thought I'd give an update, in case someone else may be in the same situation. After three months of deliberation, and on the advice of three doctors, I had a port placed on Friday. I'll receive my next Remicade treatment in April, so I don't know yet how receiving it will be with my new port. All three doctors seem to think it will make my life easier. I am all for that! The pain from the surgery wasn't that bad--nothing compared to pain I've experienced with Crohn's. I'll give another update when I have the port accessed.

 

[GI Jane]

I would love anyone’s feedback on this thread about the port as they have yelled at me for years to get one and had always thought just get better at your job. Once that anger stopped and did research realized ya besides my small deep veins I have scar tissue. I feel more bad for the infusion nurses really after three of them tried again last time but hey got me in the 5th try…ya they say not it when I walk through the door. I like to travel and I think ya my backpack would hit in the area most people show on line. I try to live in denial of my disease even after 18 years and only one resection. My last trip I had to beg the tour bus driver to stop at next gas station which other passengers appreciated but made me wake up again. They want to move my vedolizumab from every 6 to every 4 weeks she thinks so ya Port probably in the cards just want to know how is movement with one in as I love swimming. Thanks sorry lack of sleep makes me babble.