Although it is preferable for people with a chemo port to sleep on their back, side sleeping is a possibility. However, side sleepers will need to consider a few things once their chemo port is in place. Immediately after the procedure, the skin will be sensitive and may hurt.
It will take about 10 to 14 days for you to heal after the port is placed. But, after that time, having the port will not restrict your activities at all. How are ports used?
You may feel sore and swollen around the area where the port was put in for 1 or 2 days after the procedure. The area may also be bruised, which can take longer to go away.
If your chemo port is on the right side of your chest, try sleeping on your left side — or vice versa. There's really no sleep position that's dangerous for someone with a chemo port. But you should avoid positions that could place unnecessary pressure on your port — like sleeping with your arms raised above your head.
If your port is on the right side of your chest, sleep on your left side, or vice versa. You'll want to avoid sleeping on your stomach, at least at first, since you might feel pain at the port site.
When doctors first insert a chemo port, people may experience some pain, irritation, or discomfort, which may temporarily affect sleep. People who sleep on their front may also experience some difficulties. Lying on the stomach can put unnecessary pressure on the port, causing further discomfort.
Application of lidocaine cream, cryotherapy or cutaneous stimulation therapy can contribute to the effective management of pain during implanted venous access chemoport needle insertion in clinical settings.
Shoulder pain on the side of an implanted port also may be caused by device separation or disconnection. Implanted ports consist of two main parts, the portal reservoir (or body) and catheter.
You may drive when you are no longer taking prescription pain medication, you can comfortably wear a seatbelt, and you can maneuver your car. 10. You may need to see your doctor in the office for a follow-up appointment.
You may start taking showers again 48 hours after your procedure. Avoid heavy lifting and physical activity for 2 days after your procedure.
Avoid arm and upper body movements that may pull on the incision for the first week. These movements include heavy weight lifting (no more than 4.5 kg or 10 lbs.) and vigorous use of your arms. Do not do exercises with your arms above your shoulders or behind your back for 1 week.
Is there any risk to family and friends? You may worry about the safety of family and friends while you are having chemotherapy. There is little risk to visitors (including children, babies and pregnant women) because they aren't likely to come into contact with any chemotherapy drugs or body fluids.
Port removal typically is performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation and can be done in the outpatient setting.
But you may need to avoid some activities if a Huber needle is left in the port. Talk to your doctor about any limits on your activity. Some clothes may rub the skin over the port. Do not wear a bra or suspenders that irritate your skin near the port.
Chemotherapy port pillows are distributed to patients who are going through chemotherapy treatment and have a portacath placed beneath their skin. The pillow attaches to a seat belt to provide cushion between the port and the seat belt, making car rides more comfortable for patients.
Venous catheter migration is one of the rare complications of venous port implantation. It can lead to side effects such as pain in the neck, shoulder, or ear, venous thrombosis, and even life-threatening neurologic problems.
The main advantage of this vein-access device is that chemotherapy medications can be delivered directly into the port rather than a vein, eliminating the need for needle sticks. Many people who receive chemotherapy choose to have a port implanted if recommended by their treatment team.
The bandage must be kept dry until the incision is completely healed. This usually takes 5 to 7 days. You can not take a shower during this time. You can usually take a bath if the port is in your chest, but you have to keep the bandage dry.
Fever, pain and inflammation around the port are signs of infection. If you experience any of these, be sure to tell your care team.
Ease Your Pain With Some Scream Cream
If you want to prevent the pain of a needle stick, use some "scream cream”—a term nurses often use for Lidocaine gel or Emla cream. Once your needle is in place in your port, don't rock or twist it, because that will damage the silicone septum.
Sleeping on your back is the best way to get a good night's sleep with a chemo port. This is usually the best sleep position because it prevents friction and pressure on the chemo port, thereby minimizing possible discomfort.
Strategies such as muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and self-hypnosis may also help you. Set good bedtime habits. Go to bed only when sleepy, in a quiet and dark room, and in a comfortable bed. If you do not fall asleep, get out of bed and return to bed when you are sleepy.
The time from port implantation to its infection was 272 +/- 255 days (30-993 days) for the port flush form infections and 82 +/- 87 days (22-265 days) for the local inflammatory form infections.