I'm having a port installed to start my treatment with Kyprolis.
Has anyone had a port installed for their multiple myeloma treatments?
Thanks,
Tom74
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Tom74 - Name: Tom Meredith
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/5/15
- Age at diagnosis: 73
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
I just started Kyprolis 2 weeks ago after a less than desired response to RVD (4cycles). I weighed the options and decided against requesting a port for the simple reason of possible infection. Luckily I have good veins, so we save the antecubitals for the lab draws and the nurses quickly start an IV lower. Alternating arms and leaving it in with a saline lock in place and carefully wrapped has been fine. I assume you'll be getting it 2 days in a row so it is pretty easy to manage. As a nurse for many years I've decided this was best for me. 2 sticks a week for 3 weeks than a rest week. Keep super hydrated, it helps.
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loveparis - Name: loveparis
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
I'm in exactly the same camp as loveparis and just completed the first cycle with Kyprolis. We didn't even discuss getting a port at this point. The IV goes in once for blood draws, stays in two days for infusion, and comes out on day 2. It really isn't any more "pokes" than having blood draws with each infusion.
I'm sure people with more difficult veins may have issues, so it is up to you and your provider, but it wasn't an issue for me.
I'm sure people with more difficult veins may have issues, so it is up to you and your provider, but it wasn't an issue for me.
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
Tom,
I have had a port since I was diagnosed in January, 2011. I have never had a problem with it. I have good veins. I plan to be around for a while, so I think the port was an excellent decision on my part and the doctor. As we get older our veins weaken.
Good luck,
Mary
I have had a port since I was diagnosed in January, 2011. I have never had a problem with it. I have good veins. I plan to be around for a while, so I think the port was an excellent decision on my part and the doctor. As we get older our veins weaken.
Good luck,
Mary
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
Thanks for the responses.
DT
DT
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Tom74 - Name: Tom Meredith
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 9/5/15
- Age at diagnosis: 73
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
Hi,
In 2011, my husband entered a 24-cycle trial of Kyprolis / Revlimid / dex for the newly diagnosed. Initially, he didn't have a port, and each time it took the nurses 3 or 4 attempts to get the IV in. After the fourth infusion, he had a port put in and never had a single problem the remaining time.
It was convenient for blood draws and Zometa infusions, too. It also sometimes made things go quicker during infusions, since the nurses would start him first before starting other patients who didn't have ports when the nurses knew they might have problems trying to get the IV going.
Even though his infusions were always Monday & Tuesday (back to back days), he declined to keep the tube (not sure of technical name) from Monday left attached to the port overnight to be used again on Tuesday. We thought there would be less chance of infection if they had to connect to the port fresh for each day's infusion.
Best wishes,
Chris M.
In 2011, my husband entered a 24-cycle trial of Kyprolis / Revlimid / dex for the newly diagnosed. Initially, he didn't have a port, and each time it took the nurses 3 or 4 attempts to get the IV in. After the fourth infusion, he had a port put in and never had a single problem the remaining time.
It was convenient for blood draws and Zometa infusions, too. It also sometimes made things go quicker during infusions, since the nurses would start him first before starting other patients who didn't have ports when the nurses knew they might have problems trying to get the IV going.
Even though his infusions were always Monday & Tuesday (back to back days), he declined to keep the tube (not sure of technical name) from Monday left attached to the port overnight to be used again on Tuesday. We thought there would be less chance of infection if they had to connect to the port fresh for each day's infusion.
Best wishes,
Chris M.
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Chris M
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
Although I have good veins, they were already getting tired by the time I started Krypolis, so I actually asked for a port. At first it was quite sore and those first couple of times accessing it were quite painful. But then it healed after about two weeks. I've had it now for over a year, and I love it! It's so easy. Accessing it is less painful than my IV sticks were, and there's no worry that the nurse "won't get it", or that the chemotherapy will infiltrate into my arm tissues rather than staying in the vein. Plus my hands and arms are free for things like typing or knitting.
Whether or not to get one is up to each patient, and I don't think you could be faulted either way. But lots of people get ports, and most people have really good luck with them.
Whether or not to get one is up to each patient, and I don't think you could be faulted either way. But lots of people get ports, and most people have really good luck with them.
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Tracy J - Name: Tracy Jalbuena
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
Sorry, everyone, if I seem to be stuck in "here is a forum search that may help" mode this afternoon. I just thought it might be helpful for people who stumble on this and other threads to have some links to related discussions.
For example, this search brings up a number of previous discussions related to ports. You can also just do a couple of searches on "port", then "ports", and finally "picc" to get the same list of search results, or use the advanced search function like I did to search on all three words at the same time.
These threads seem like they might be the most helpful:
"Port or no port?" (started May 15, 2014)
"Port for VCD/CyBorD?" (started July 29, 2013)
"PICC vs. port - looking for feedback" (started Jan 27, 2012)
Also, April Nelson recently wrote an article for the Beacon about her decision to get a port: "Letters From Cancerland: Port Of Call" (Jan 15, 2016).
Hope all goes well with your port, Tom.
For example, this search brings up a number of previous discussions related to ports. You can also just do a couple of searches on "port", then "ports", and finally "picc" to get the same list of search results, or use the advanced search function like I did to search on all three words at the same time.
These threads seem like they might be the most helpful:
"Port or no port?" (started May 15, 2014)
"Port for VCD/CyBorD?" (started July 29, 2013)
"PICC vs. port - looking for feedback" (started Jan 27, 2012)
Also, April Nelson recently wrote an article for the Beacon about her decision to get a port: "Letters From Cancerland: Port Of Call" (Jan 15, 2016).
Hope all goes well with your port, Tom.
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Jonah
Re: Experiences with a port for treatment?
Hi Tom,
I read in another thread that you had your port put in, but it's been painful for so far. Just wanted to say that I hope you start feeling more comfortable soon. I (belatedly now) recall my husband was uncomfortable for about 2 days after they put his in, but once he got past that, it was smooth sailing. Tylenol helped take the edge off for those 2 days.
Best wishes,
Chris M.
I read in another thread that you had your port put in, but it's been painful for so far. Just wanted to say that I hope you start feeling more comfortable soon. I (belatedly now) recall my husband was uncomfortable for about 2 days after they put his in, but once he got past that, it was smooth sailing. Tylenol helped take the edge off for those 2 days.
Best wishes,
Chris M.
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Chris M
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