Power port problems

kayandok
kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi, I'm popping in from the ovarian board, wondering if anyone can shed some light on the power port. I have had mine for 3 years and it has worked like a charm. Yesterday, however when I went for my infusion, the drip was very slow. After changing the needle a few times, what they discovered is that it is not clogged, or blocked, but just way to slow. (I did use an IV yesterday, and that went smoothly.)

Next week, I will go in and see m gyn/onc, but wondering if anyone else has had problems with the port or tubing getting lodged causing a slow drip? I have heard of the port working it's way through the skin, having to be replaced, but that seems to be intact.

Any input welcome.
Thanks✿
kathleen

Comments

  • WhatsA_Mom2Do
    WhatsA_Mom2Do Member Posts: 46
    #2
    Need more info....
    Hi Kathleen,

    I would love to help troubleshoot, but also have a few questions:

    1. Did the nurses have a problem flushing the port as well?
    2. Do you have any pain or discomfort with the port?
    3. Were they able to get a blood return?
    4. Do you know what size needle they used to access the port?
    5. Has your port ever been used to inject contrast for scans (CT, MRI, PET, etc.)?
    6. Did the nurses try to unclog the port using tPA?

    A problematic port should never be taken lightly. Over time they can shift, the catheter can kink, there may be a fibrin sheath or even a small clot at the tip of the catheter.

    I would not allow anyone to infuse ANYTHING through a port that did not have blood return.
    I also would never allow anyone to use the port for contrast injections. While they can be used, in my experience it always creats a problem later on down the line. The Radiology nurses just do not have the training and expertise to properly use and care for the port (again, that's been MY experience).

    If they tried to tPA the port without sucess, I would suggest having Radiology do a flow study.

    I hope you are able to get a resolution to your port issues.

    All the best,

    Dee (Onc nurse of 14 years)
  • msccolon
    msccolon Member Posts: 1,917 Member
    #3
    are you being scheduled for a contrast?
    I would think an xray with contrast through the port should be ordered to confirm that there's no obstruction. I had mine sheer off where it entered the vein so obviously had to have it removed (not a power port, just a medi-port). Could be kinked or something, but I would definitely ask to have it tested to confirm that there isn't anything to worry about.
    mary
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #4
    msccolon said:

    are you being scheduled for a contrast?
    I would think an xray with contrast through the port should be ordered to confirm that there's no obstruction. I had mine sheer off where it entered the vein so obviously had to have it removed (not a power port, just a medi-port). Could be kinked or something, but I would definitely ask to have it tested to confirm that there isn't anything to worry about.
    mary

    Ladies is not too early there?
    Hugs!
  • geotina
    geotina Member Posts: 2,111 Member
    #5
    Hi Kathleen:
    Welcome. Please feel free to pop in with any questions. My hubby had trouble with his power port for his second treatment a year ago. He went to the hospital where the docs put something in it and then x-rayed or something where they could see it. Turned out the tip of the tubing turned and was against the vein so he had to have a new one put in. The docs at the hospital will be a little more aggressive in straightening things out than the nurses and they can see exactly what the problem is. In George's case, they couldn't do anything to straighten it out so the next day or so he had a new one put in on the opposite side and 2 or 3 days later he received his chemo.

    Lots of people have trouble. Sometimes, George's does not give blood but the chemo goes in just fine. One nurse gets no blood draw and the very experienced nurse ges it by wiggling the needle. George just says, take it from the arm, it is easier.

    Take care - Tina
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #6
    geotina said:

    Hi Kathleen:
    Welcome. Please feel free to pop in with any questions. My hubby had trouble with his power port for his second treatment a year ago. He went to the hospital where the docs put something in it and then x-rayed or something where they could see it. Turned out the tip of the tubing turned and was against the vein so he had to have a new one put in. The docs at the hospital will be a little more aggressive in straightening things out than the nurses and they can see exactly what the problem is. In George's case, they couldn't do anything to straighten it out so the next day or so he had a new one put in on the opposite side and 2 or 3 days later he received his chemo.

    Lots of people have trouble. Sometimes, George's does not give blood but the chemo goes in just fine. One nurse gets no blood draw and the very experienced nurse ges it by wiggling the needle. George just says, take it from the arm, it is easier.

    Take care - Tina

    Kath sorry l can't help as my port is working properly
    since they installed it, but I would suggest to send a PM or contact to : Kathryn_in_MN.
    She is a very helpful girl who considers herself as a "port-freak" lol, due the amount of problems she has had
    with her port.She will be really helpful to you!.
    Cheers!
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #7
    WhatsA_Mom2Do said:

    Need more info....
    Hi Kathleen,

    I would love to help troubleshoot, but also have a few questions:

    1. Did the nurses have a problem flushing the port as well?
    2. Do you have any pain or discomfort with the port?
    3. Were they able to get a blood return?
    4. Do you know what size needle they used to access the port?
    5. Has your port ever been used to inject contrast for scans (CT, MRI, PET, etc.)?
    6. Did the nurses try to unclog the port using tPA?

    A problematic port should never be taken lightly. Over time they can shift, the catheter can kink, there may be a fibrin sheath or even a small clot at the tip of the catheter.

    I would not allow anyone to infuse ANYTHING through a port that did not have blood return.
    I also would never allow anyone to use the port for contrast injections. While they can be used, in my experience it always creats a problem later on down the line. The Radiology nurses just do not have the training and expertise to properly use and care for the port (again, that's been MY experience).

    If they tried to tPA the port without sucess, I would suggest having Radiology do a flow study.

    I hope you are able to get a resolution to your port issues.

    All the best,

    Dee (Onc nurse of 14 years)

    Thank you for your help,
    I will try and answer your questions. Ports are not covered by National insurance in Japan, so most people don't get them. Consequently, the nurses don't have as much experience with them as US chemo nurses, so I really appreciate your input.

    1. No problem flushing the port.

    2. I have had not pain or discomfort with the port ever.

    3. I think they did get a blood return, but I don't recall exactly.

    4. I do not know what size needle they used.

    5. My port has only been used for chemo, although 3 years ago, while I was in the hospital in the US, shortly after it was installed, they used it for pain meds and drawing blood. But, since coming back to Japan, it has only been used for chemo, and they will not use it to draw my blood.

    6. They did not do a tPA as far as I know.

    I assume they will send me for an X-ray, and if that doesn't show anything, then a CT? I just hate the thought of having to change it (they do not put you out here, only use a local), but I guess 3 years and 29 doses of chemo is a lot of wear and tear.

    Thanks again for your input, I really appreciate it.

    kathleen❧
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #8
    pepebcn said:

    Kath sorry l can't help as my port is working properly
    since they installed it, but I would suggest to send a PM or contact to : Kathryn_in_MN.
    She is a very helpful girl who considers herself as a "port-freak" lol, due the amount of problems she has had
    with her port.She will be really helpful to you!.
    Cheers!

    Kath you can help in here !
    up.
  • ketziah35
    ketziah35 Member Posts: 1,145
    #9
    My mom had an xray, which
    My mom had an xray, which showed her's was twisted.
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #10
    ketziah35 said:

    My mom had an xray, which
    My mom had an xray, which showed her's was twisted.

    she is not any more in our board but you can reach her in
    ovarian!
  • plh4gail
    plh4gail Member Posts: 1,238 Member
    #11
    mine's a bit of a problem at the moment
    Yesterday I went in to the CTC here to have mine flushed as I am in between chemo and surgery. Mine flushed easily but would not draw back blood. It was brought up that they may activase it, which is a blood thinner given and I was told usually makes the port start working within an hour or two. They said that usually works, but if not I would be sent for a CT to see if there is a kink in the tubing. I have lost about 15 pounds since diagnosis and was also told that can lead to a problem with it in the kink sort of way. I'm new to each hurdle I have come to so far, so not for sure on any of these, but maybe something to think about for you?

    Hope to help, Gail
  • Kathryn_in_MN
    Kathryn_in_MN Member Posts: 1,252 Member
    #12
    Sent you a PM
    Sent a PM - hope it is helpful.
  • kayandok
    kayandok Member Posts: 1,202 Member
    #13
    Kathryn_in_MN said:

    Sent you a PM
    Sent a PM - hope it is helpful.

    Thank you!
    You have all been so kind to respond.
    kathleen❤

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