Chemo Port Flushing

Posted by hopenjoy2024 @hopenjoy2024, 20 hours ago

Are you supposed to get your chemo port flushed periodically? This is the first time I have heard of such a thing, and my last treatment was October 2024.

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markymarkfl | @markymarkfl | 19 hours ago

It was recommended to me to flush every 4-6 weeks if you're not actively using it.

hopenjoy2024 | @hopenjoy2024 | 18 hours ago

In reply to @markymarkfl "It was recommended to me to flush every 4-6 weeks if you're not actively using it." + (show)

Thanks!

val64 | @val64 | 11 hours ago

I was told that they went to every three months during the pandemic, and that that was fine too.

I have to mention that there seems to have been a recent recommendation to flush with just saline, not heparin, at least while you're still having chemo. I'm sure this is primarily to save money.

This causes problems for me. While I was letting them flush with saline only, they had problems getting a "blood return" almost every other time they accessed my port. Then they have to soak it in a clotting-busting drug for an hour. (Basically the same stuff they use on strokes.). I've been insisting they flush mine with heparin every time.