Another IP port question

Janissi1
Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
in Ovarian Cancer #1

I've had my port in about 6 or 7 weeks. It's located right above my right breast. Depending on how I move, I feel a little bit of soreness. Is this normal? Since this is my first port, I'm not sure what's normal or not.

I'd appreciate any insight.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • LorettaMarshall
    LorettaMarshall Member Posts: 662 Member
    #2
    No soreness 7 wks out but discomfort when sleeping on right side

    Hello “Janissi1”

    It’s important that what you are feeling is normal, so I would certainly check it out with my doctor.  Complications can arise with ports.  I don’t recall having any soreness in that area 6 or 7 weeks out.  My port was placed on my right side just under the collar bone (clavicle). 

    You say “depending on how you move”.  Are you talking about moving about during the day, or when you trying to sleep at night?  When I slept on my right side, it was uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t say it was “painful”.  So for me sleeping flat on my back, or on my left side proved to be a lot more comfortable.  But I had no problems with soreness 7 weeks out from its placement back in January of 2013.

    Here’s hoping it’s something simple.  Ports are so nice.  Perhaps the "UK" link below will be a help.

    Wishing you all the best with your upcoming total hysterectomy.  I’ve sent along a web link from the Cleveland Clinic which is self-explanatory.

    Loretta

    Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV/DX Nov. 2012

    1. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/treating/chemotherapy/being-treated-with-chemotherapy/implantable-ports.html

    2.  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-hysterectomy

     (Personal Note:  Back at age 36, (1975) I received a partial hysterectomy.  Only my uterus was removed, and the ovaries and fallopian tubes were left intact.  Doctors know much more than they knew back in 1975.  Presently it is believed that Ovarian cancer very likely forms first in the fallopian tubes.  I can always wonder if I would have been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Stage IV, had I had everything taken out way back then.  I’ll never know this side of Heaven.  But then again, it is now known that a woman can have Ovarian cancer even after her ovaries have been removed.  I need not fret about it now, “It is what it is!”)

     

  • MaryVig
    MaryVig Member Posts: 37
    #3
    Similar issue

    my Port was put in 7 weeks ago, and I have had some discomfort. This week when I met with the oncologist I had them check the Port. I notice some pressure when I lay on my right side and some tightness in my neck, like it's pulling on the vein. They didn't find any issues but said if it continued they would get me an appointment with the radiology department.... but also that it takes some time to get used to. In going to give if 2 more weeks and then have that appointment If it continues.

  • Janissi1
    Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
    edited April 2017 #4
    LorettaMarshall said:

    No soreness 7 wks out but discomfort when sleeping on right side

    Hello “Janissi1”

    It’s important that what you are feeling is normal, so I would certainly check it out with my doctor.  Complications can arise with ports.  I don’t recall having any soreness in that area 6 or 7 weeks out.  My port was placed on my right side just under the collar bone (clavicle). 

    You say “depending on how you move”.  Are you talking about moving about during the day, or when you trying to sleep at night?  When I slept on my right side, it was uncomfortable, but I wouldn’t say it was “painful”.  So for me sleeping flat on my back, or on my left side proved to be a lot more comfortable.  But I had no problems with soreness 7 weeks out from its placement back in January of 2013.

    Here’s hoping it’s something simple.  Ports are so nice.  Perhaps the "UK" link below will be a help.

    Wishing you all the best with your upcoming total hysterectomy.  I’ve sent along a web link from the Cleveland Clinic which is self-explanatory.

    Loretta

    Peritoneal Carcinomatosis/Ovarian Cancer Stage IV/DX Nov. 2012

    1. http://www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/treating/chemotherapy/being-treated-with-chemotherapy/implantable-ports.html

    2.  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-hysterectomy

     (Personal Note:  Back at age 36, (1975) I received a partial hysterectomy.  Only my uterus was removed, and the ovaries and fallopian tubes were left intact.  Doctors know much more than they knew back in 1975.  Presently it is believed that Ovarian cancer very likely forms first in the fallopian tubes.  I can always wonder if I would have been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer, Stage IV, had I had everything taken out way back then.  I’ll never know this side of Heaven.  But then again, it is now known that a woman can have Ovarian cancer even after her ovaries have been removed.  I need not fret about it now, “It is what it is!”)

     

    Thank you, Loretta

    Hi Loretta,

    Thanks so much for the insight and the links! The information was valuable. I think it gets a little sore if I sleep on the side the port is on, but it concerns me since I have chemo on Friday, so I will definitely have it checked out.

     

  • Janissi1
    Janissi1 Member Posts: 34
    #5
    MaryVig said:

    Similar issue

    my Port was put in 7 weeks ago, and I have had some discomfort. This week when I met with the oncologist I had them check the Port. I notice some pressure when I lay on my right side and some tightness in my neck, like it's pulling on the vein. They didn't find any issues but said if it continued they would get me an appointment with the radiology department.... but also that it takes some time to get used to. In going to give if 2 more weeks and then have that appointment If it continues.

    Thank you, Mary

    At least I know I'm not alone. I get chemo tomorrow so I will consult with my doctor. Thanks for sharing, Mary.

  • bettyboop3917
    bettyboop3917 Member Posts: 45
    #6
    Port

    I have two ports both on the right hand side one above the breast and one below it. The one above seemed to lay in just the right spot that it was painful for a long time. The lower port was much less painful and only hurts when I lay wrong on it. 

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

    Port

    I have two ports both on the right hand side one above the breast and one below it. The one above seemed to lay in just the right spot that it was painful for a long time. The lower port was much less painful and only hurts when I lay wrong on it. 

    Thanks, Betty.

    I appreciate your input, and am very thankful that I am not alone. I tend to get paranoid about things, so its nice to know (not happy anyone is hurting), but knowing that whatever is going on is normal.

  • banksia
    banksia Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2017 #8
    Ports

    If when the port is accessed it is very painful, asj for a prescription for Lidocaine that you put on the port site about an hour before..cover with some saran wrap and tape - this is so the lidocaine doesn't mess up your clothes. Wouldn's have got through it without Lidocaine...My port and tube still hurt on occasion and it was put in Nov 2017...been checked x ray all good...just too many nerve endings.

     

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #9
    banksia said:

    Ports

    If when the port is accessed it is very painful, asj for a prescription for Lidocaine that you put on the port site about an hour before..cover with some saran wrap and tape - this is so the lidocaine doesn't mess up your clothes. Wouldn's have got through it without Lidocaine...My port and tube still hurt on occasion and it was put in Nov 2017...been checked x ray all good...just too many nerve endings.

     

    I second banksia

    I had Emla cream, which I gobbed on about an hour before chemo, and covered with plastic wrap or a tegaderm.  Worked like a charm for accessing the port - totally pain-free.  Note: "gob" is the operant word; you don't want to rub in some cream, you want the cream to form a white layer over your port area.  Be generous!

  • kih
    kih Member Posts: 4
    #10
    my name is Vitoriah, and i

    my name is Vitoriah, and i have the same problem and sometime a little bit soreness

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