I asked my doctor today at chemo what is a picc line and a portacath. She said the picc goes in the arm above the elbow but they can be prone to infection and arm movement dislodging them. The portacath goes in the upper chest and is less prone to infections.
Lets hope the ginger oil massage trick works and I don't have to make a choice of picc or port.
Hi Brenda I had picc then opted port as even walking my dogs general stuff I kept moving the picc also I wanted to swim ( or try to ). Port was good but after 4 th or so chemo the tip flipped into another artery which was fine to use but required an x Ray prior to every chemo having said that I had port out on Thursday ( the tip had flipped again ) was sore day after it out but it's pretty good now I was so cool prior to chemos surgeries with needles bloods but now after finishing 5 odd months of chemo I hate needles and would of hating them searching for veins the one they could use did collapse twice just via bloods so in the end I was happy with the port but everyone's different it's a personal choice
Hi Brenda. I opted for a port before chemo, as I have invisible veins at the best of times. It can also be left in well beyond the end of chemo. Not ready to give mine up just yet. Once the wound has healed, there are no limitations on activity.
Take care, Lyn
Huge reaction to the chemo 10mls in. Face went red, eyes looked like Dracula, neck went stiff, had trouble breathing and had to cough, pain went down in elevations down to my lower abdomen. Luckily my husband grabbed the nurse quick and she shut it off. My 2 hour appointment turned into 4.5 hours and all the office girls had gone home when they finally released me but at least I got my chemo and didn't need to hospitalised. Two down, two to go.
Hi Brenda,
Nat has a pic line too she decided not to have the port cath inserted because she didn't want the scar (she is young ) except for no swimming and covering it for showers it has been no problem the rdns come every week and change the dressing and flush it and the chemo nurses do it before chemo...
She wears a tubular bandage on it at all times so it dose'nt get knocked or pulled.
I think it is a personal choice
Hope your chemo went ok today??
Cheers Sue xx
My nurse has recommended I rub ginger oil into my arm the night before chemo and an hour before the chemo appointment. Its supposed to improve circulation and bring the veins up to make them easier to find.
Breanda I have a picc line put in and I have had no problems at all... as long as you keep it dry all times, not strain the arm too much and get it cleaned and dressings changed every week (a nurse comes to my house and does it or they do it before chemo).
Good luck with what ever decision you make, at the end of the day both make life a little easier instead of having to find veins.
