Thinking about getting a port

Do any of you have one or have had one in the past? It seems that I am in the hospital way too much/getting bloodwork or infusions.  I started my first of 5 iron infusions (all done in the next 10 days) and met an older gent that has a port. The nurse showed me how to flush it and it's really not all the bad. The guy said it has saved his arm/hand veins a lot of agony. I've had 5 blood transfusions since November and the one I had last week was really painful. I was clenching the bed the whole time and my nurse was brushing it off.

Any input would be helpful. I looked through the forum and found a few posts on the Crohn's forum but wanted to see if any Ucer's have had a port.

Oh willys again! I'd almost rather have a bag...

Ok, not really, but that somehow freaks me out more than venipuncture.

I hate that you even have to consider it. :(

I also hate that your last transfusion was that bad. Did the nurse talk about the port helping a lot with pain? I know they seem to get right on the edge of my vein sometimes, and it just burns like crazy, but as long as that vein stays open they're going to push right on.

I had scar tissue really badly in my arms when I was seeing the hematologist regularly. It was difficult to get blood drawn after a while. I could see needing a port since you are getting so many infusions and transfusions but at the same time, I think it would be great if you could find a treatment that gets you back in good health so you don't need to get all of these treatments. I know that's often easier said than done but I am hoping you are 100% soon.

My Gma had a port when she was getting chemo. She was older so it was hard to find veins on her. It was a lot easier for her. But if you are going to get frequent infusions or bloodwork, it can wreck havoc on your veins. It may only be a temporary thing but it might help.

A port was something that was discussed if I had to do IV ABX for my lyme or mycoplasma dx. My veins are so small I woulda went for it, but my doc prefers a PICC line.. Somehow those scare me less but from my understanding require more maintenance. If you think this is a long term thing Id go for the port.

So sorry you have to deal with these decisions!

After a week in the hospital in February my right arm was a mess. Left arm had the clotted artery so everything went into right arm including 4 iron infusions. It began to be a mess due to heparin blood thinner, brusing all over and I get questioned about being very vascular, if it is 'normal' and it is for me but the nurses think they can easily pin me but they are go right thru since there is no fat or they run into a valve, apparently I have more valves in veins from weightlifting and its weird to see them jabbing it over and over and it wont full go in due to valve so they start over. Usually once on a roll they have to get someone else because they get in a bad mood.
I can put up with that for a week or two but if it is going to be 'ongoing' then I would consider a port to be more sensible.
Funny thing is after all those pokes you know blood draws every 6 hours and bags going in from the hat rack, well just one poke for angiogram and she wrapped it up real tight with bandage gauze - god only knows why but did not remove it and that night at home I noticed it and it had clotted the full length of my arm. Thankfully once off prednisone it 'vanished'.
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LOL

My mom had a port put in when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the chemo treatments. Having it put in is not a huge deal and once it's in, you really don't even know its there.

She beat the cancer (yay!) and decided to keep the port in because she gets Remicade infusions to treat her RA. It's so much easier for her than being stuck every time she needs blood work done or to,get the Remi.

Sorry you are in the position to be considering one.

She's had hers in for 2 years now.