Analgesic to numb IP port before use

Janissi1
Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hi!

Can anyone suggest a topic numbing cream I can use before getting access to my IP port? My oncologist's nurse suggested LMX, but it is awfully expensive. Any suggestions will help.

Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • MaryVig
    MaryVig Member Posts: 37
    #2
    Shot of lidocaine

    At my infusion center, where they do the blood draw before each chemo, they do a shot of lidocaine before inserting a needle/thingy to the port. I am so squeamish, I can't look... but the put something (I call it a thingy) in so that same thing is connected to the chemo/IV machine.   I have read that others on this board use a cream, but my center in Seattle prefers the shot. You might see if that's an option.

  • Janissi1
    Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
    #3
    MaryVig said:

    Shot of lidocaine

    At my infusion center, where they do the blood draw before each chemo, they do a shot of lidocaine before inserting a needle/thingy to the port. I am so squeamish, I can't look... but the put something (I call it a thingy) in so that same thing is connected to the chemo/IV machine.   I have read that others on this board use a cream, but my center in Seattle prefers the shot. You might see if that's an option.

    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your reply. When I was in the hospital, I was told by a nurse that they would use lidocaine, but unfortunately they don't. My oncologist suggested LMX, but it is very expensive. I'll have to see what cream others are using.

    Thank you so much for your reply! Smile

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    edited March 2017 #4
    Emla cream

    Emla is a lidocaine-based cream (by prescription).  You gob it on about an hour before chemo; cover it with plastic wrap, and it will numb the port area.  I used it for my belly port as well as my chest port - works like a charm.  There is a generic form of it - it's not very expensive.  Ask your dr to prescribe it before your next chemo so that you can put it on.  And yes, you gob it on; don't just rub in a little.  You should cover your port area with a thick white coating of cream (hence the plastic wrap that doesn't absorb it.)

  • bettyboop3917
    bettyboop3917 Member Posts: 45
    edited March 2017 #5
    lidocaine

    My doctor worte a script for lidocaine cream. My insurence covers most of the cost. They make a pain patch of 4% lidocaine that may work it's over the counter. If you go that way you would only need to get the small patches. I have not tried the pain patch but on my back it works good for there. 

  • Janissi1
    Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
    #6
    abrub said:

    Emla cream

    Emla is a lidocaine-based cream (by prescription).  You gob it on about an hour before chemo; cover it with plastic wrap, and it will numb the port area.  I used it for my belly port as well as my chest port - works like a charm.  There is a generic form of it - it's not very expensive.  Ask your dr to prescribe it before your next chemo so that you can put it on.  And yes, you gob it on; don't just rub in a little.  You should cover your port area with a thick white coating of cream (hence the plastic wrap that doesn't absorb it.)

    Oh, thank you so much! I'm

    Oh, thank you so much! I'm going to contact my doctor right away for a prescription. Smile

  • Janissi1
    Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
    #7
    bettyboop3917 said:

    lidocaine

    My doctor worte a script for lidocaine cream. My insurence covers most of the cost. They make a pain patch of 4% lidocaine that may work it's over the counter. If you go that way you would only need to get the small patches. I have not tried the pain patch but on my back it works good for there. 

    Thank you so much for your

    Thank you so much for your suggestion. It's nice to know there are options out there. Smile

  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    #8
    MaryVig said:

    Shot of lidocaine

    At my infusion center, where they do the blood draw before each chemo, they do a shot of lidocaine before inserting a needle/thingy to the port. I am so squeamish, I can't look... but the put something (I call it a thingy) in so that same thing is connected to the chemo/IV machine.   I have read that others on this board use a cream, but my center in Seattle prefers the shot. You might see if that's an option.

    Mary~It's called a HUBER NEEDLE

    Smile Hey Mary ~ Having read your "needle/thingy" reference I thought I would add another word to our already-bulging cancer treatment vocabulary.  When I was at my oncologist's office today, I asked the nurse, "What do you call the connection that you first put into my port before you hook it up to the IV Line?"  She said it is called a "HUBER NEEDLE".  And so now we both have learned something else today that we wish we never had to know!   But ports are wonderful for chemo infusions!

    Loretta

    ____________________________________________

    1.  http://www.medline.com/category/Huber-Needles/Z05-CA20_02_07

    Since mine is a “double lumen”, here is what my “Huber needle” looks like.

    2.       http://www.bardaccess.com/products/infusion/powerloc  

     

  • MaryVig
    MaryVig Member Posts: 37
    #9
    LorettaMarshall said:

    Mary~It's called a HUBER NEEDLE

    Smile Hey Mary ~ Having read your "needle/thingy" reference I thought I would add another word to our already-bulging cancer treatment vocabulary.  When I was at my oncologist's office today, I asked the nurse, "What do you call the connection that you first put into my port before you hook it up to the IV Line?"  She said it is called a "HUBER NEEDLE".  And so now we both have learned something else today that we wish we never had to know!   But ports are wonderful for chemo infusions!

    Loretta

    ____________________________________________

    1.  http://www.medline.com/category/Huber-Needles/Z05-CA20_02_07

    Since mine is a “double lumen”, here is what my “Huber needle” looks like.

    2.       http://www.bardaccess.com/products/infusion/powerloc  

     

    Huber Needle thingy

    Cool

    when i first read the message, I saw UBER... so now with chemo brain I will remember the name of the thingy (Huber). Thanks Loretta.

  • bettyboop3917
    bettyboop3917 Member Posts: 45
    #10
    IP chemo

    I am also under going IP chemo. I have two ports one is for IV chemo then the IP chemo port. I numb both with a RX cream I got the doctor to write a script for. I wish you luck in your fight. 

  • Janissi1
    Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2017 #11
    bettyboop3917 said:

    IP chemo

    I am also under going IP chemo. I have two ports one is for IV chemo then the IP chemo port. I numb both with a RX cream I got the doctor to write a script for. I wish you luck in your fight. 

    Thank you so much, bettyboop.

    Thank you so much, bettyboop.

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