Helpppp so much going on with my port

ElizabethB
ElizabethB Member Posts: 89
edited March 2011 in Breast Cancer #1
I have been sleeping in my recliner for four days tonight I tried to lay down in bed oh my gosh big mistake the port was pulling in my chest to my neck and my neck isn't looking to good it isn't hurting it just seems to be irritated how long will it be so I can sleep on my side or in my bed i am so frustrated.. please help me I am at the point of tears now
My port was put in on the 18of march

Comments

  • Hippiechick58
    Hippiechick58 Member Posts: 320
    #2
    My port was installed during
    My port was installed during my BMX surgery back in September. At first it bothered me quite a bit. Like you said, it pulled and felt like it was sticking into me. After about a month I hardly noticed it. But everyone is different, so if you feel that it is that painful, you should call your Doctor. They take a while to "settle" but maybe yours is different.

    I hope you find relief soon!

    Be Well,
    Dianne
  • candu
    candu Member Posts: 30
    #3
    port
    Check with your doctor.....it shouldn't be hurting you....and you should be able to sleep in bed.
    Demand an explanation!
    The best to you.
  • jamiegww
    jamiegww Member Posts: 384 Member
    #4
    Maybe your doctor will have suggestions.
    I know the port is causing you much stress but hopefully you will get used to it. You're just frightened right now. I found it helpful to sleep with a wedge pillow because if I layed too flat, the tubing for the port would pucker up and freak me out. Check with your doctor's office and see if they can put your mind at ease. It might not seem that way right now, but you'll get through this. We are here for you so keep us posted.

    HUGS!!!
    Jamie
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #5
    jamiegww said:

    Maybe your doctor will have suggestions.
    I know the port is causing you much stress but hopefully you will get used to it. You're just frightened right now. I found it helpful to sleep with a wedge pillow because if I layed too flat, the tubing for the port would pucker up and freak me out. Check with your doctor's office and see if they can put your mind at ease. It might not seem that way right now, but you'll get through this. We are here for you so keep us posted.

    HUGS!!!
    Jamie

    Agree with advise you've been given .. First and foremost,
    please contact your doctor - and see what he/she recommends. It is so important to have this checked out. Unfortunately, in my case .. I suffered with the tugging, pulling and irritated me for several months -. Please note that my port was located inside my inner /upper right arm, so everything I moved or walked - my port rubbed against my clothing .. Maybe if I were a size 4 or 6, this may of not been an issue.

    Good luck.

    Vicki Sam
  • kya911
    kya911 Member Posts: 157
    #6
    VickiSam said:

    Agree with advise you've been given .. First and foremost,
    please contact your doctor - and see what he/she recommends. It is so important to have this checked out. Unfortunately, in my case .. I suffered with the tugging, pulling and irritated me for several months -. Please note that my port was located inside my inner /upper right arm, so everything I moved or walked - my port rubbed against my clothing .. Maybe if I were a size 4 or 6, this may of not been an issue.

    Good luck.

    Vicki Sam

    On the very
    day I had my port put in I was able to sleep on my side.
    Call your Dr.
    Sorry you are having all these problems.
    Judy
  • jessiesmom1
    jessiesmom1 Member Posts: 915 Member
    #7
    Port discomfort
    I had a port implanted in my upper right chest about 5 weeks after my mastectomy. I started chemo 6 days later. My neck and the area around the port was a little sore and uncomfortable for about a week. I felt like I was somehow tethered between my neck and the port. I was concerned that I would hurt myself or the port so I was very careful how I slept or showered for a while. After about a week I became less aware of it and eventually hardly noticed it except when I accidentally ran my fingers over it when getting dressed or when I was in the shower. I don't think your port should be irritated or hurt. It is always wise to mention anything that concerns you to your surgeon or oncologist. In this case I think the surgeon is the appropriate doctor to consult. I kept my port in through 16 rounds of chemo and blood draws. I had it removed about 3 months after chemo was finished. It was a great decision to use a port during chemo. I couldn't have done it any other way. Most of the women on the board (though not all) probably feel this way. Good luck.
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #8
    We're all different
    Talk to your Dr.

    I never had any pain when my port was put in (1 1/2 yrs ago) - it was a bit tender in the area but definately not pain. I did feel a sensation of something there for a while but again no pain. Had no problem with sleeping on either side the night of surgery. (Started Chemo the day after it was implanted) I was back riding a couple of days after it was put in and giving lessons but I did get out of doing heavy barn chores (mucking stalls, carrying water/hay bales, etc.) for 2 weeks as Hubby and Son decided that they were going to do all the heavy stuff for 2 weeks - so I let them with no arguement.
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #9
    jessiesmom1 said:

    Port discomfort
    I had a port implanted in my upper right chest about 5 weeks after my mastectomy. I started chemo 6 days later. My neck and the area around the port was a little sore and uncomfortable for about a week. I felt like I was somehow tethered between my neck and the port. I was concerned that I would hurt myself or the port so I was very careful how I slept or showered for a while. After about a week I became less aware of it and eventually hardly noticed it except when I accidentally ran my fingers over it when getting dressed or when I was in the shower. I don't think your port should be irritated or hurt. It is always wise to mention anything that concerns you to your surgeon or oncologist. In this case I think the surgeon is the appropriate doctor to consult. I kept my port in through 16 rounds of chemo and blood draws. I had it removed about 3 months after chemo was finished. It was a great decision to use a port during chemo. I couldn't have done it any other way. Most of the women on the board (though not all) probably feel this way. Good luck.

    I had a lot of pulling and
    I had a lot of pulling and pain with my port too. We are all different, as you know. It did get better after a few weeks but I never "bonded" with it like some women do. I don't regret putting it in, but I removed it as soon as I was done with rads.
    It will heal and you'll start to forget about it.
    Love & Hugs,
    Wanda
  • MadSwiss
    MadSwiss Member Posts: 2
    #10
    wouldn't trade
    my port hurt for about 1.5 months and when i called the doctor and told her about it, i was told that it hurts skinnier woman more than others.
    i still haven't "bonded", like another lady wrote here on this board, but i wouldn't trade the port for anything. my sister had chemo 6 years ago, without a port, and she had anxiety each time, just because she has, just like me, bad veins for IV's.
    having a port makes getting chemo so less stressful for me, and when i remember the cream, 1 hour before treatment, i can't even feel the needle.
    Now 4 months after port surgery, i still can't sleep on the port side, the car seat belt or my purse is bothering me and my left arm hurts when i carry my child around... but still i would opt for a port anytime again.
    having my 9th Taxol tomorrow, with 4 AC beforehand. only 4 more weeks of chemo, then on to surgery and then radiation. got diagnosed with IBC Nov 8, 2010
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #11
    It took me over a week
    to feel comfortable enough to sleep on a bed but much longer before I could sleep on that side. It does take awhile to adjust. Check with your doc anyway.

    Sorry your in pain :(


    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #12
    MadSwiss said:

    wouldn't trade
    my port hurt for about 1.5 months and when i called the doctor and told her about it, i was told that it hurts skinnier woman more than others.
    i still haven't "bonded", like another lady wrote here on this board, but i wouldn't trade the port for anything. my sister had chemo 6 years ago, without a port, and she had anxiety each time, just because she has, just like me, bad veins for IV's.
    having a port makes getting chemo so less stressful for me, and when i remember the cream, 1 hour before treatment, i can't even feel the needle.
    Now 4 months after port surgery, i still can't sleep on the port side, the car seat belt or my purse is bothering me and my left arm hurts when i carry my child around... but still i would opt for a port anytime again.
    having my 9th Taxol tomorrow, with 4 AC beforehand. only 4 more weeks of chemo, then on to surgery and then radiation. got diagnosed with IBC Nov 8, 2010

    My surgeon almost got
    My surgeon almost got 'bopped' before I was taken to OR when port was put in - he said that it would be a bit harder because I was "thin" (his word). I thought he was being sarcastic as at 5'6" and about 175 I did not think that I was "thin" in any way and he was just being "nasty/sarcastic" and told him so. I later realized that he wasn't. Still don't really understand it though as to me it seems like it would be harder to do with more weight.

    I can't say that I'm "bonded" to my port (that depends on what the word means to "you") - I intend to keep mine in for the future just in case as I'm IBC - I don't want to have to have another put in IF NEEDED when I have very good one already there. Mine was put in 1 1/2 yrs ago, I did 4 A/C then surgery, then 12 Taxol.
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #13
    I had problems with my port
    I had problems with my port to. I would use a bunch of pillows and lay up against them in bed and under each arm I would also have a pillow which kinda kept the neck from pulling.I took Aleve at night which would help take the edge off. It took me a while to recover from this, put I was still glad I did it. You might also try wearing a bra to bed this also might help. I never was able to lay flat as long as I had the port. Be careful lifting heavy things for a while, this could also pull on the chest and port. Hopefully you will feel better soon. Hugs
    Kathy~
  • NJMom10
    NJMom10 Member Posts: 176
    #14
    I had trouble with my port too
    I had a lot of trouble with my port too. There was a pulling and pinching feeling in my neck from day 1 and it never really stopped. I mentioned it to the doctors several times but they didn't really offer any explanations. I started chemo 10/26/10, finished chemo 2/1/11, had my lumpectomy on 3/2/11 and the port was taken out 3/23/11. I honestly couldn't wait til that port was taken out! That said, it was a godsend during chemo and I wouldn't have done it any other way!

    If you are uncomfortable, definitely call your doctor and have it checked. The hospital where I had it implanted checked mine the week after it was put in to make sure there wasn't any problem with it and apparently there wasn't. I made it 4 1/2 months with it in and not very comfortable and I had no serious problems so at least feel better that even tho it might be uncomfortable, it's probably not causing any serious problems. Good Luck!
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #15
    NJMom10 said:

    I had trouble with my port too
    I had a lot of trouble with my port too. There was a pulling and pinching feeling in my neck from day 1 and it never really stopped. I mentioned it to the doctors several times but they didn't really offer any explanations. I started chemo 10/26/10, finished chemo 2/1/11, had my lumpectomy on 3/2/11 and the port was taken out 3/23/11. I honestly couldn't wait til that port was taken out! That said, it was a godsend during chemo and I wouldn't have done it any other way!

    If you are uncomfortable, definitely call your doctor and have it checked. The hospital where I had it implanted checked mine the week after it was put in to make sure there wasn't any problem with it and apparently there wasn't. I made it 4 1/2 months with it in and not very comfortable and I had no serious problems so at least feel better that even tho it might be uncomfortable, it's probably not causing any serious problems. Good Luck!

    LOL Bonded....

    So maybe I used a weird word in my post about my port. What I meant was that some women's bodies actually take to a port very easily and have absolutely no problems at all.

    My good friend loves her port and would never remove it. She has had no problems and doesn't even know it's there, other than getting it flushed.

    Sorry if it came out wrong, I was searching for a word that explained that My body just didn't cooperate with my port. Although I would definately put in another one if needed because I know it makes chemo must easier.

    God Bless,
    Wanda
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #16
    I agree
    i agree, you need to call your doctor about this problem. We're different (you've read that a lot) but I had no problems once my port was in. Maybe it depends on the type of port. I have a power port in upper left chest. My only problem was getting it in. I have some wierd vein structure so the surgeon couldn't get it in after 2 tries. My BP spiked and he quit and called the intervention radiologist. He did a wonderful job and got it in right away. For a while I had to drive with a small pillow or something over it to keep the seat belt from rubbing but we're great friends now. Not sure when I'm having it taken out.
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #17
    skipper54 said:

    I agree
    i agree, you need to call your doctor about this problem. We're different (you've read that a lot) but I had no problems once my port was in. Maybe it depends on the type of port. I have a power port in upper left chest. My only problem was getting it in. I have some wierd vein structure so the surgeon couldn't get it in after 2 tries. My BP spiked and he quit and called the intervention radiologist. He did a wonderful job and got it in right away. For a while I had to drive with a small pillow or something over it to keep the seat belt from rubbing but we're great friends now. Not sure when I'm having it taken out.

    bumping up
    ..
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #18
    Good subject material
    I probably will be having a port in soon so I was glad I read the posts. I am the type of person that can tollerate a lot of discomfort and hassle as long as I know that the discomfort and hassle is par for the course regarding what I am going through. So mentioning this to the doctor to have it checked out will at least give you the peace of mind that nobody made a mistake durring installation or that you are in no way being harmed by the port being in. This knowlege can go a long way to feeling good durring a lousy disease.
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #19
    Ouch
    Elizabeth, It took awhile for me to be comfortable while sleeping. It's only been about 10 days for you, you will have to give it more time, at least 1 month or so. It's also not comfortable with the seat belt in the car. I had to use a towel on it so it was cushioned. Try to Sleep in a postition that doesn't put any preasure on the port.
    Hope you will feel better soon but believe me I know it's hard.
    Hugs,
    Annette

Discussion Boards