Advice sought:Port vs PICC for chemo

coloCan
coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Was supposed to start chemo again today but port didnot work and visit to hospital couldn't get it to work either. This round of chemo, with 5FU etc also involves that pump that you go home with for two days (did not have this during original chemo that ended mid-July; op in Sept)I was told I would be better off with a new port in my chest (the one that doesn't work is on upper left; new one will go upper right and old one removed then or later-don't remember, head still spinning, very depressed.) I was told PICC is temporary (I need 4 more months of chemo)and I would need port eventually to finish up. DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. Chemo rescheduled so far for Wed but that will change based on what happens next. Anyone have any thoughts on this matter?Please advise.....Steve

Comments

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #2
    Sorry
    I just read your other post and I'm so sorry that it didn't work. That has to be so frustrating. I'm not sure what a PICC line is so I can't give advice. I know I didn't have any problems with my port and it was just removed on Thursday, mine was a PowerPort. Hope someone can give you some suggestions.

    Kim
  • Fight for my love
    Fight for my love Member Posts: 1,522 Member
    #3
    My hubby had PICC line for
    My hubby had PICC line for six weeks of 5-fu before surgery.He didn't like it,becaue every morning I had to wrap his arm with plastic wrap,this was the way to protect it,then he could take a shower.We also had to flush PICC everyday with salt water.My personal opinion is PICC needs more maintainance than the port.
  • peterhw
    peterhw Member Posts: 69
    #4
    PICC vs Port
    I have PICC last year for two weeks when I had infection in my port. I hated it. It is very high maintenance. So I demand to have a new port installed on my left chest. It has worked for more than a year. Definitely go with the port.

    Peter
  • hueybubba
    hueybubba Member Posts: 7
    #5
    Port vs PICC for chemo
    I had a port installed and kept for almost 4 months. I had no issues and made life easier in terms of shower etc. I was under local anesthesia? when they installed. PIC you have to keep covered and more of an issue with stuff sticking out.
  • PamPam2
    PamPam2 Member Posts: 370 Member
    #6
    Port
    Hi Steve
    How much did they do to try to get your port working? Maybe there is still more they could try to get it clear. I wondered when I read your earlier post, your port should have been getting flushed out every month to 6 weeks with heparin and saline to keep it clear, there was some negligence there. I kept my port for 4 years, and it was flushed regularly when not in use. I hope there is some way they can still get it working again for you, but if you have to get another inserted, you already know what to expect there, it is still the best way to go for the chemo. Hope things start going better for you and you can start on the chemo and get it over with.
    This is a good reminder to others who have finished their chemo, but keeping their ports awhile, get them flushed regularly.
    Best Wishes for you.
    Pam
  • AnneCan
    AnneCan Member Posts: 3,673 Member
    #7
    Same thought as PamPam
    I have a "Power Port" (I was about the 2nd or 3rd person to get this one @ my hospital) & it just needs to be flushed with saline but I am supposed to have it flushed at least every 6-8 weeks (it must be different depending on the Port type). I don't have any experience with the PICC, but maybe talk to your chemo nurse about pros & cons to see which would be better for you for the 4 months. Good luvk!
  • DennisR
    DennisR Member Posts: 148
    #8
    Hi Steve,
    I had a port that
    Hi Steve,
    I had a port that didn't work during Chemo and it was a real pain, I had to hold my arm up in the air for hours while the Chemo was being done and it still caused the alarms to go off all the time. I finally had a PICC line installed that worked perfectly and they could infuse the Chemo as well as use it for the blood draws (2 line PICC). I had the PICC for about 4 months and while it did require flushing daily and covering while showering, etc, it at least worked all the time, every time.
    I used a self sticking Ace bandage to keep it in place in between Chemo sessions.
    I also had a Hickman line installed during the last Chemo and Bone Marrow transplant, it had much larger tubes and really worked well, again it took a lot of maintenance and lots of people got infections which were really bad news.
    I'd go with the PICC line if I have to do it again, though I hope I've gotten past all that for a while.
    Dennis
  • heatherstar70
    heatherstar70 Member Posts: 39
    #9
    steve
    i am so sorry you are having to deal with all this aggravation.. i cant imagine what it is like..but what i dont understand is why they have not accessed your port since july.. if i am not mistaken your port has to be accessed every so many week to keep it open.. i hope they are able to find another solution for you with causing you anymore pain.. i think you have been through enough.. i will be on here today if you want to vent

    thinking of you
    Heather
  • maglets
    maglets Member Posts: 2,576 Member
    #10
    DennisR said:

    Hi Steve,
    I had a port that
    Hi Steve,
    I had a port that didn't work during Chemo and it was a real pain, I had to hold my arm up in the air for hours while the Chemo was being done and it still caused the alarms to go off all the time. I finally had a PICC line installed that worked perfectly and they could infuse the Chemo as well as use it for the blood draws (2 line PICC). I had the PICC for about 4 months and while it did require flushing daily and covering while showering, etc, it at least worked all the time, every time.
    I used a self sticking Ace bandage to keep it in place in between Chemo sessions.
    I also had a Hickman line installed during the last Chemo and Bone Marrow transplant, it had much larger tubes and really worked well, again it took a lot of maintenance and lots of people got infections which were really bad news.
    I'd go with the PICC line if I have to do it again, though I hope I've gotten past all that for a while.
    Dennis

    picc
    Hi Steve I seem to be the odd man out on this forum and I would not say do what I did. I had a picc line for the first couple of months of 5fu and then decided to go with the daily punch...ie insertion of an IV. I have done all my chemo this way including 6 months of oxalyplatin. People have always predicted collapsed veins etc but I never had any trouble.

    I guess my point is this ...if the port is not working you could take your chemo with a picc just so you don't fall behind. Like Dennis I never had an infection.

    hope things work out for you

    ~mags~

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