Port Pain

[PF_PVD]

My Port-a-Cath has been painfully throbbing all day today.  I know it is possible to get an infection but don't know what that would "look" like.  I've been told to watch for itching or redness, but don't know about the pain.  I've had fleeting pain before but it's never lasted like this.  I do not want to go to the doctor if I don't have to, but not sure if the pain doesn't stop when I should really get concerned.  Since I'm not currently having chemo, I had it flushed just a couple of weeks ago.  Anyone had personal experience with this kind of pain?

[Jan214]

You know what Paula?  Other people being "worse off" than you does not actually make your situation better so yes, you have the right to a pity party if you want.
I couldn't wait for the port removal.  I was like, OK, only 10 months 2 weeks and 3 days left and than I can have my port out.  Yeah, right!  I will never get this sucker out and yes it does stick out really far.   After the surgery they said I didn't have any fatty tissue there, but they knew that prior to surgery and could have prepared me better for what it would look like afterwards.  Take care Paula and I am glad it has eased up some.

BLinn90:  Even with all of this I would much rather have it than not.  There are to many horror stories of collapsed and blown out veins and I wouldn't want that either.  Lesser of two evils was how I saw the choice.  Oh, what part of MD are you from?  I spent my school year in Howard County and my summers in TN.  I still have a lot of family up there.

[PF_PVD]

Hi.  I appreciate everyone's comments.  When I got home from work last night and changed out of my work clothes, the pain mostly stopped.  Like Jan, my port sticks out a good half inch from my body (I call it my 3rd breast) because I've lost pretty much all my body fat and lots of muscle.  It also can be moved around freely, so I think it might just have been my clothing.  I confess I tried to wear a pre-cancer bra.  It's better today, and I feel fine otherwise, so I think I'm OK, but thanks for your concern.  Anybody else as dumb as me thinking it would be removed when I went into remission?  Of course, since my remission ony lasted 4 weeks, they wouldn't have had time to remove it anyway.  

I want my old life back--the one where I didn't have to picture every little ache and pain as the alien inside getting stronger, didn't have to worry about a port, a device I knew nothing about just 6 months ago, didn't have to wonder when my eyelashes will grow back and when I will have more hair than a dachsund.  Yep!  It's a big ol' pity party!  Shame on me when there are others so much worse off than I am.  Paula

[BLinn90]

Wow!  You're making me glad I chose getting a new stick every time!  I got so I could predict a good sticker when they were coming towards me!  BoyOhBoy - this stuff ain't fun!

[Jan214]

Mine was really painful for awhile and the pain went into my shoulder.  I never did find out what it was.   It had been hurting for quite awhile and last Thusday I had asked about the possibility of a blockage but everything was running through fine.  It hurt like heck when I left that day. Over the next two days of having fluids run through it at the hospital and it stopped hurting.  Last year I got out of the shower one morning and just started freaking!! I was screaming for Cory.  My port had dropped a good 1/2 in and it hurt like all get out.  It was gross to be able to move it around like that.  I had to push it around until it seemed to settle into its "spot" and than the intense pain quit although it stayed sore for awhile.  I hate them and think they are gross.  Even though mine sticks out to next week, I am told I am lucky because for bigger people it is deeper in and it hurts more to access it.  Wow, I am such a lucky girl.  
Call the Dr., but if you have been having your port flushes you should be just fine.  It could be an infection though so just to be sure...    A friend of mine at the oncs office had to have hers moved to the other side cause of an infection.  Take care of yourself and be safe rather than sorrier than we already are.  I know I don't sound like much of a cheerleader today. Sorry.

[msjazz]

Did you pick up or pull on anything, or do you remember doing anything with that arm like reaching up high. The only thing I worry about is there is always a possibility of a blood clot. I would at least put in a call, I know how it is not wanting to see a dr. if you don;t have to, but better safe than....  Love Donna

[bmcd]

Hi,

My daughter Ashley was running in a cross country race when her port started to cause her a lot of pain.  She could not even continue the race.  We went to pick her up and drive her to the hospital.  Before we arrived at the hospital the port moved and the pain was gone.  The hospital confirmed that there was nothing wrong and everything seemed okay.  So...it seems that Ashley's port had shifted some how and the shifted position caused her all the pain.  On the way to the hospital it seemingly shifted itself back into position and the intense pain was gone, just some soreness from the whole episode.  This would lead me to believe that these ports can shift, maybe during sleeping, or various activities.  Maybe this is what happened?  I was told that there should be some redness with an infection and should be accompanied by a fever of sorts.  Hope this helps some.  Good Luck!!

God Bless,
Bob