[nidean847]

Hello all,

I would like to know if anyone else here has had an iv port surgically placed in there chest cavity..and if so how was the recovery time\pain...can you sleep on the side it is placed.

thank You!!

 

[Pink Pearl]

Hi,
I've had a portacath in for nearly 12 years. The first one lasted for 7 years and this one has been nearly 5 years.
Yes, I sleep on the side with the port. The recovery is a couple weeks. Plan to limit use of the arm on the side where it is placed for a few days, maybe up to a week. The pain is not too much, rx meds will control it.

I use my port to administer my chemo. I have been on high dose mtx for nearly 12 years, and it is what controls the disease for me.

I will advise that you learn the amounts of medications you get thru it and keep track of when it needs to be flushed, if you aren't using it on a weekly basis.
Sally