[Restlessrebel]

Port to receive Zometa once a month?

by Restlessrebel on Sat Jun 11, 2016 3:08 pm

Hi all,

This may seem like a silly question, but a week ago when I went to get my infusion of Zometa, they had to stick me 4 times. Not fun.

The nurses asked me to consider getting a port. I am thinking that is a little extreme for a once a month treatment.

Am I wrong? Has anyone else received a port for this purpose.

They have always had trouble finding my veins or getting them to cooperate, but they always seem to manage.

I appreciate your feedback. Take care

[cdnirene]

Re: Port to receive Zometa once a month?

by cdnirene on Sat Jun 11, 2016 3:54 pm

I can't answer your question as I don't have a port, but I do have a suggestion - try drinking more water to see if it will help.

A couple of months ago when I went for my Zometa infusion, my nurse had trouble finding a suitable vein. She finally tried one place. It didn't work and she switched to a vein she found in my hand. She had commented that my veins were flat. So I asked her what she meant. She said it was a sign of dehydration. So I started drinking more water every day and made sure I drank even more water on the day I went back for another infusion. The nurse had no problem finding a suitable vein.

[torimooney]

Re: Port to receive Zometa once a month?

by torimooney on Sat Jun 11, 2016 11:44 pm

I got a port 4 years ago when I began treatment. I achieved complete stringent response and now get Velcade subcutaneous and Zometa monthly. The port is used monthly.

If you are a difficult draw, I would suggest getting the port. It was a non event getting it (actual procedure is done with twilight sleep and takes only 10 minutes, but you stay longer to recover). It remains trouble free and saves me much time and discomfort when I have blood draws and Zometa. My port is not visible at all. I have seen others where there is a bump under the skin.

[GaryH]

Re: Port to receive Zometa once a month?

by GaryH on Sun Jun 12, 2016 11:26 am

I have had a port of one kind or another for years (I have a power port). Lately, it has been used only for pamidronate (Aredia) infusions (similar to Zometa). I get these once a month. If you have any kind of a port, it is recommended that it be used and flushed at least once a month. I do this with my monthly pamidronate. It has come in very handy in the past, except for our local hospital that doesn't seem to understand these things. I need one as my veins do not cooperate with trying to access them.