Rituxan Maintenance without a Port?

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  • Rocquie
    Rocquie Member Posts: 869 Member
    #22
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    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 said:

    Thanks Mary

    Mary,

    I looked it up, and it is the LDH values that can be off due to port draw. I have also read this online. LDH is a specialized test, usually in a metabolic profile, and it may be that the doc does not test yours, or your values may be good either way.

    I never had any discomfort with a port, either sleeping, or with needle insertion, or anything. I gues I was lucky in that regard.

    http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/lactic-acid-dehydrogenase-ldh

    max

    Blood Test using Port

    The discussion got me thinking about whether blood drawn from the port would be different from that of a vein. I did a little research and seems it can be. Blood from a vein has circulated through your heart and all over the body. Also, even though your nurse flushes your port with saline/heparin, it may not do a perfect job. Your port line may still contain drugs, saline, infection, uncirculated blood cells, or even blood clots.

    I love conversations with you guys!

  • Seabrook
    Seabrook Member Posts: 6
    #23
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    Rituxan time

    My husband has gotten Rituxan for years, both with and without a port, and I can tell you that it always takes about three hours.  The first administration is longer so that they can monitor your reaction.  But once it has been established that you can tolerate Rituxan well, three hours is pretty standard in our experience.

  • Mary N.
    Mary N. Member Posts: 100
    #24
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    Seabrook said:

    Rituxan time

    My husband has gotten Rituxan for years, both with and without a port, and I can tell you that it always takes about three hours.  The first administration is longer so that they can monitor your reaction.  But once it has been established that you can tolerate Rituxan well, three hours is pretty standard in our experience.

    Thank you

    i will have to ask my Doc about ports changing results.  I don't have difficulties with most of metabolic panels so maybe that is why.  I'm so glad so many of you know so much about this stuff.  I've been really doing so much better than anyone expected that I just don't worry about what doesn't seem to be a problem and don't ask questions.

    Mary

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,812 Member
    #25
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    Rocquie said:

    Blood Test using Port

    The discussion got me thinking about whether blood drawn from the port would be different from that of a vein. I did a little research and seems it can be. Blood from a vein has circulated through your heart and all over the body. Also, even though your nurse flushes your port with saline/heparin, it may not do a perfect job. Your port line may still contain drugs, saline, infection, uncirculated blood cells, or even blood clots.

    I love conversations with you guys!

    Port Blood Tests

    The oncology group where I received treatment (28 MDs, and part of US Oncology, which is a network of about 1,400 MDs nationwide), about 4 years ago, discontinued ALL blood draws from ports.  All blood tests are now pulled from the arm (or hand, or wherever). Prior to that, all of my blood draws were via the port.  I never asked about the change, but will next week.  As I wrote above, there is documentation about port draws skewing specifically LDH values (causing, on occasion, false high readings). 

    Both port and arm draws, of course, are "drawn from a vein," since chest ports are run directly, via a short cath, to the superior vena cava, the largest vein in the body.

    Why the port would ever skew a few, rare values I don't know, but Rocquie's explanation makes sense and works for me.  I may ask around, since between my own doctor visits and carrying a friend to infusion lets me speak with different  Nurse Practitioners. 

    The value of a port for blood draw and the value of a port for infusion of chemicals are, of course, two separate questions.  

    I remain convinced that, in most cases, especially in long-term treatment, or with treatment with extremely toxic chemo drugs, the port is much to be preferred.  As noted above, some drugs clinically DEMAND a port; arm application is not allowed. Almost all clinics treat VESICANT drugs (blister agents)  this way, for good reason.  Vinblastine (in abvd) and Vincristine (in chop) are both vesicants, among several other common chemo drugs.

     

    max

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