Hubby has a port, has had it for 3 years. Our nurse uses sterile technique t access it every time. Way to close to the heart to risk an infection. We had a home health nurse suggest doing his IVIG ourselves (she didn’t like sitting so long). We decided not to with all the risks. Hubbys IVIG brand has changed 3 times, we know there are risks with a new brand. Also, having a nurse around for hubby to visit with for a few hours while I am at work is good for him. Somedays he sleeps thru the treatment, but most he has a great conversation with someone about all kinds of things.

Make sure you get a nurse you like and trust. If one doesn’t fit for you, request another. We didn’t know that we could do this at first, and had a nurse that was stealing his pain meds. Now, I “interview” a nurse before we let them stay on. The drug companies will send someone if you can’t find a nursing agency to do the treatment. We have had the best success with a nurse from the actual drug company, not a home health agency.

Best of luck to all

After 3 months of constant IVs being inserted at Mayo (I was inpatient), I finally had a PICC line put in my right arm. My husband did have to flush it twice a day with saline solution though, after we left the hospital. It lasted from June-Nov when it finally started to leak. Then I had an ash split catheter put into my chest; it had two pigtails coming out of my chest, as it was put in for PP. But once I quit PP, it was used for IVIG infusions, steroid infusions, & then 9 months of cytoxan infusions. I had it in for 15 months with no problems & only had it removed when I was able to get off of all treatments. It was sooo much better than getting IVs put in all of the time. But a port in the chest would be even better, I think.

Hello,
I never had to have a port, so I can’t advise from experience, but I do have good common sense. I was able to go through four years of IVIG’s and my veins held up. I think you are doing the right thing by getting the port, since you have experienced blown veins. And I believe that sometimes the “patient” knows best. Don’t let it stress you out that your family does not approve and are fearful of infections, just show a little understanding of their thoughts. DO learn how to keep the port clean and free from infections and learn how to protect the port when you take a shower or bath, learn what you should watch for and there should not be any problem. You may find that you’ll heave a big sigh of relief NO MORE BLOWN VEINS.