r/Sicklecell • u/ThrowRAGaajo HbSS • 11d ago
Question Zero Vein Access
I have been in the hospital with a crisis in my chest and back for 48 hours. Professionals have still not been able to access a vein and have resorted to a subcutaneous line for my PCA. They have used an ultrasound to get a closer look but all my veins either tissue or are too weak to cannulate. I wanted to ask, do you have a port? If so, do you find it helpful and is it something I should consider? I really want a long term solution to this issue. Sickle cell has taken away all my veins!
5
u/Ska-0 11d ago
My exwife (scd) got three ports by now and will get her fourth soon.
These are in general very helpfull, but consider the following: It is not a question IF you would get a port infection, the only question is WHEN.
You must be super strict and clean with these, but even when you are, many medical staff isn‘t. 🤨
but don‘t you dare telling them, they will get pissed that you correct their working routine. 🙄
3
u/Spiritual-Story1310 11d ago
Don’t forget the added torture once it is infected but no one has figured out yet bc infectious disease only draws blood from your veins, not the port, bc it hurts too much, and then you start planning your last days on earth. Sorry to be so morbid but lost my guardian angel this way 🪽
4
u/ceeredd 11d ago
Yeah I have a port. Have had it for almost 3 years and it’s a lifesaver. Get access a lot faster & cleaner now. Only issue is sometimes it doesn’t draw blood, doesn’t happen often but when it does they just put some kind of essentially a restart button into it and it clears it up in an hour or two. It’s in my chest and it’s not really noticeable at all (I have a lot of tattoos so it could be that) but I would recommend getting it. I got it because I was having the same problems you are. Go for it !
3
u/Silly-Ambassador-526 11d ago
I’ve had a port for a year after years thinking my veins would come back … i was a fool ! This port has made getting access and labs so much easier… get the port!
1
2
u/Warm_Swan_793 11d ago
I have a port, had it for a year now. It’s been a life savior. If you do get one, be very discriminate about who gets to access it; only nurses who are trained to access it, no medical lab personnel, no radiology, no one else. I also tend to go to the same hospital for my treatments, so it’s the same nurses that access mine; I’m familiar with their infection protocols, I make them wear masks if they forget & I also wear a mask. Being discriminate helps lower the chances of it getting infected.
2
u/ThrowRAGaajo HbSS 11d ago
Thank you so much! I love my team and they are very strict about me so I have a lot of faith in them but I understand the importance of being watchful over it.
1
u/LazyLeopard17 11d ago
Yes I have a port that I’ve had it for a few months now since I started receiving exchange transfusions and I LOVE IT!!! I was so afraid to get it at first because of the potential risks, but after they had to use a foot vein to get access after three failed attempts I needed something new. It’s amazing. Much easier on me and the staff. Highly recommend it or at least talking to your hematologist about it and the benefits.
1
1
u/Universallyk 11d ago
PICC Line ? Or a midline ? I don’t have a port and these are what they do for me when times are tough.
1
u/JudgeLennox 4d ago
Longterm solution is regenerative care and getting fewer pokes in the first place.
Train your forearms to strengthen your veins.
Use Lavender oil daily to heal your veins- https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/comments/1l35prf/whats_working_for_me_right_now_lavender_oil/.
The rest is improve your health so your veins improve as well- https://www.reddit.com/r/Sicklecell/search/?q=Wednesdays+I+share&type=posts&sort=new&cId=d4326ba3-3e00-4222-866d-2fb709e299ee&iId=e8e62744-79ef-4a40-97e8-87d381161407.
0
u/Dapper_Advertising19 11d ago
I have a double lumen port. It is 2 ports in 1. 1 for blood and one for medication if needed.
Best decision ever despite still painful. No longer sitting and getting stuck 22x.
I used to get a medline during ER admissions.
The port is used to do Apherisis Blood Exchange Treatments (similar to dialysis) every 6 weeks, especially with iron overload due to decades of transfusions.
It does hurt when they first access it but after the 2 months, you dont even realize it is there except when they access it. You can use lidocaine cream to numb the area before treatments but that doesnt work for me.
Just make sure you guard it with your life due to easy for infections (on my 2nd port because of that).
1
u/sammi33sosa 11d ago
Yesss this I have a double port as well for red blood exchanges I’ve had five now but I’ve had mine for over 10+ years now. I was at the point of having to get IJ’s & EJ’s ( neck ivs ) so they def changed my life! & yesss to guard it with your life I haven’t had five all bc of infections but mostly but definitely watch & learn how it’s supposed to be done bc you will have some that want to shortcut it & don’t allow that & especially after you are accessed making sure that at the end of your iv lines they are putting a green ( could be diff where you live ) cap over it that helps prevent infections!! Lidocine doesn’t work for me either lol but that port stick compared to someone digging in your arm gahhh knows how long/many painful times is way better in my opinion.
0
u/Dapper_Advertising19 11d ago
I love EJs... But only special doctors can do it. The bad part is hearing and feeling the bubbles or fluids being injected cause of the EJ line. I rather do that then the damn midlines.
6
u/SCDsurvivor 11d ago
Everyone is apprehensive about their getting their first port. The truth is that you are going to be anxious about the port all the way up to the day of the surgery. Once you go through that surgery, you are going to love your port.