Portacath problems

o2bnsf
o2bnsf Member Posts: 19
in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi pat here again. We just ended week one with my husband's chemo. Problems all week . Although the portacath was put in a few weeks ago the first treatment was Monday with a 2 hour drip of oxaliplatin Immediately after the 24/7 pump with 5fu was started and 22 hours later it was leaking badly. The pump was stopped and restarted on Wednesday and then again about 21 hours later it was leaking from the port. The pump was stopped again and on Friday we went back to hospital and an interventional X-ray was done and the dye went through ok. Pump was reconnected and so far today it has not leaked. Has anyone had problems with the pump?

Pat

Comments

  • paul61
    paul61 Member Posts: 1,392 Member
    #2
    I have never heard of this before
    Pat,

    In the almost three years I have been posting on this site I have never heard of a medication pump leaking at the portacath port. I would wonder if the nurse who is setting up your pump may need some training? Is the leak under the dressing at the site where the needle goes into the portacath port?

    I would think it would be relatively easy to replace the pump but I almost wonder if it is being preped and connected properly?

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!
  • o2bnsf
    o2bnsf Member Posts: 19
    #3
    paul61 said:

    I have never heard of this before
    Pat,

    In the almost three years I have been posting on this site I have never heard of a medication pump leaking at the portacath port. I would wonder if the nurse who is setting up your pump may need some training? Is the leak under the dressing at the site where the needle goes into the portacath port?

    I would think it would be relatively easy to replace the pump but I almost wonder if it is being preped and connected properly?

    Best Regards,

    Paul Adams
    McCormick, South Carolina

    DX 10/22/2009 T2N1M0 Stage IIB
    12/03/2009 Ivor Lewis
    2/8 through 6/14/2010 Adjuvant Chemo Cisplatin, Epirubicin, 5 FU
    Two year survivor

    Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

    Portacath
    Paul, I know and it is so frustrating. We were at Penn all day Friday trying to get this fixed. I thought for sure when they put the dye in they would see a problem, but no.

    I wonder about the chemo nurses also. The first 2 connections were by the same nurse. Friday a different nurse reaccessed it so we will see how the weekend goes.

    Pat
  • o2bnsf
    o2bnsf Member Posts: 19
    #4
    o2bnsf said:

    Portacath
    Paul, I know and it is so frustrating. We were at Penn all day Friday trying to get this fixed. I thought for sure when they put the dye in they would see a problem, but no.

    I wonder about the chemo nurses also. The first 2 connections were by the same nurse. Friday a different nurse reaccessed it so we will see how the weekend goes.

    Pat

    Portacath leaked again
    I can't believe it just leaked again!

    This has been every other day and this is only week one of treatment!

    Pat
  • o2bnsf
    o2bnsf Member Posts: 19
    #5
    o2bnsf said:

    Portacath
    Paul, I know and it is so frustrating. We were at Penn all day Friday trying to get this fixed. I thought for sure when they put the dye in they would see a problem, but no.

    I wonder about the chemo nurses also. The first 2 connections were by the same nurse. Friday a different nurse reaccessed it so we will see how the weekend goes.

    Pat

    Portacath leaked again
    I can't believe it just leaked again!

    This has been every other day and this is only week one of treatment!

    Pat
  • o2bnsf
    o2bnsf Member Posts: 19
    #6
    o2bnsf said:

    Portacath
    Paul, I know and it is so frustrating. We were at Penn all day Friday trying to get this fixed. I thought for sure when they put the dye in they would see a problem, but no.

    I wonder about the chemo nurses also. The first 2 connections were by the same nurse. Friday a different nurse reaccessed it so we will see how the weekend goes.

    Pat

    Portacath leaked again
    I can't believe it just leaked again!

    This has been every other day and this is only week one of treatment!

    Pat
  • o2bnsf
    o2bnsf Member Posts: 19
    #7
    o2bnsf said:

    Portacath leaked again
    I can't believe it just leaked again!

    This has been every other day and this is only week one of treatment!

    Pat

    Late last night the pump was deaccessed for the third time. Back to Penn tomorrow. This on again off again chemo is taking its toll.

    The nurse last night thought maybe the 1 inch needle is too big as it was bent when she took it out.

    We shall see what tomorrow brings.

    Pat
  • Donna70
    Donna70 Member Posts: 852 Member
    #8
    o2bnsf said:

    Late last night the pump was deaccessed for the third time. Back to Penn tomorrow. This on again off again chemo is taking its toll.

    The nurse last night thought maybe the 1 inch needle is too big as it was bent when she took it out.

    We shall see what tomorrow brings.

    Pat

    Pat they had to use 3/4 inch needle on me
    Pat
    I don't know if that nurse is right but they had problems with mine but not leaking and the nurse told me I needed a 3/4 inch needle to access my portacath. It was not till I was months down the line and gained some weight that they could use a 1 inch. Hope they solve this problem it is tremendously frustrating to have this happen continually. All you want is to start the chemo with no problems. take care,
    Donna70

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