I am now due to have my port removed. I have been given the option of it being done under general or having a local anaesthetic. Really interested to hear from anyone who had theirs removed under a local. Thanks

Not sure if you've already had it removed @feathers but if it helps, I had mine inserted under general but removed under local. I was very anxious about being awake for the removal but the surgeon and I chatted about our vinyl record collections and before I knew it, it was done.

Done and dusted. No more poison and no more surgery. Now I just hope and pray BC stays away. The good side of it all, is that I understand a lot more due to some of the horrors so I am able to help some of my new friends I have met during treatment a bit better. I had to deal with some pain trauma issues for awhile, but that rarely rears it’s head nowadays.

I had done under local with sedation and I was like some drunk who could not shut up. Any subsequent minor surgeries I told them to give me light sedation as I'm a pain in the arse. It was fine though. No pain but just constant chatter I knew was annoying but seemed unable to stop. Lol

That sounds awful Locksley. Getting the port out should be easier. That’s what I am hoping.

@feathers hope all goes well for your port removal. :)

Port removal: general or local | BCNA Online Network

19 Replies

Sister
Member
5 years ago
Not sure if you've already had it removed @feathers but if it helps, I had mine inserted under general but removed under local. I was very anxious about being awake for the removal but the surgeon and I chatted about our vinyl record collections and before I knew it, it was done.
kamada
Member
5 years ago
@noosa_blue150 ditto for me. Nice little high and no memory afterwards of what embarrassing things may have come out of your uninhibited mouth! 😜 Way to go I say!
Feathers
Member
5 years ago
Well done you.
I start on Zeloda next week so now the tricky part is working around this as it will be 14 days of chemo and 7 days off and trying to get it done on my week without chemo.
noosa_blue150
Member
5 years ago
I had Portacath inserted just over 2 weeks ago - under local anaesthetic and sedation ( not unlike neurolept anesthetiic I have for regular colonoscopy each 3 years ). Meant I was unable to,drive self home or stay on own overnight but that is workable . Happy to report whilst I was apprehensive , once sedation administered I went well. No recollection nor pain . When time comes to remove I’ll be asking for the same .
Locksley
Member
5 years ago
@feathers hope all goes well for your port removal. :)
Zoffiel
Member
5 years ago
Yep, nothing like the prospect of another 68 injections (I bloody hated Clexane jabs) to make the removal a more attractive option... Sorry to hear about the thrombosis, yet another of the fore mentioned indignities. Mxx
Feathers
Member
5 years ago
Thanks Zoffiel I am feeling comfortable with it all now. Just waiting on the phone call to let me know we can go ahead. I am on the cancellation list and I am priority one! The port and chemo has resulted in two thrombosis around the port site(one in the jugular vein). So I am now injecting myself with clexane daily. I am getting good at giving myself the injections but it has taken many repetitions - 22 so far and 68 to go.
Zoffiel
Member
5 years ago
It will be fine @feathers The site may be a bit sore for a while afterwards, but after all the other indignities it's a doddle. Mxx
Feathers
Member
5 years ago
That sounds awful Locksley. Getting the port out should be easier. That’s what I am hoping.
Locksley
Member
5 years ago
I had my port put in with a local. Hurt like the devil going in. Lots of tears I didn't have much pain relief and it grieved me for about 2 - 3 weeks. I Kept telling Drs and staff that I could feel pain. I have been wondering what will be offered when it's time to come out.