For plasmapheresis, a high flow catheter that is capable of dialysis is necessary. I have one in my right internal jugular vein. You can also get a permanent implanted one that is totally under the skin. Just make sure it is dialysis capable. If I get mine replaced I will get this type, so I can quit worrying about getting this one wet and no dressing is necessary after it heals.

I have 2 bard power ports completely under the skin , have been in almost 2 years. I have not had any problems
Annette

I have a dual vortex port. its perfect for plasmapheresis. also completely under the skin. ive had it since april but it can last up to five years I believe. I've had almost 100 treatments since then using the port and have had no problems what so ever

Annie from your dual port how many catheters do you have routed in your veins or arteries, 1 or 2??

Joe

I also have a vortex graft with an arterial and venous side in my right leg. I also have clotting issues and very poor access and this is my second graft which is working brilliantly and has been for the last 4 years even with my regular needling. I also had a fistula in my arm which clotted after 1 week. Sorry you are having issues like this. It's very stressful but the graft really can be successful. I am on warfarin and we have to keep my INR above 3 to stop clots forming and blocking the graft which happened prior to the meds so maybe something to mention. Goodluck with it all and let us know how you do. Ange

Joe, I have two catheters. one goes into a vessel in my neck and the other goes directly to a large vessel in my heart. im sorry I don't know whether they connect to veins or arteries....
Annie

Annie it sounds like we have the same setup. One of the catheters goes to my internal jugualar vein and the other catheter is routed to the opposite return side.

Do you find it weird to have this thing as a good sized lump of titanium and silicone just under the skin and the new plastic 'veins' in your neck. I have had this for about 6 weeks now and still find it a bit strange....it's kind of cool that they can do things like this, I just wish I did not need to have this type of medical paraphenalia.

As a bit of a stroy, the day of surgery it took 3 nurses about 40 minutes to get an IV started for my anesthetic. One of the nurses asked "what type of surgery are you having today" I said a port-a-cath implant....her response was: "Thats great, you really need one"

2 weeks ago I had my first blood draw through it and it was great, no hunting for veins, I did not even feel the needle being put into the left port. During the second week of Decemebr I will be trying this out ofr real with another 5 day session of IVIG.

Well this being so strange and that I will most likely have this inside of me for 10+ years, I had to give it a name. Being that it was a dual port, I named it:

Pete & Repete

LOL

Take care and the best of wishes Annie

Hi Joe
Pete and repete haha I like that
Yes I do find it very weird to have this device implanted in me. it works wonders and I am so glad I have it but it took me a while to aadjust to it.
the first time I was accessed with it I cried and the nurses all said "oh im sorry honey am I hurting you?" and I had to tell them no, they weren't hurting me and that I was crying because I couldn't believe I was sick enough to require something like this. getting a port forced me to face my mg head on and it was a little overwhelming.
however im totally used to it now! my veins weren't too great either and when I compare plasmapheresis before my port and how it is now, I am so grateful I have it. I used to dread plasma exchanges and would be stressing out during the whole treatment (which didn't help my flow at all) now its just my typical Monday. the treatment is now painless and I get to use my arms!

Annie thats a really good way of describing the feelings. Its not the port, its what it represents and the fact that we need it, that does make us think like you I got a bit sad for a couple of weeks every time I noticed it.

Overall I'm quite glad I had mine put in and it makes a big difference, so from that standpoint I really a glad I was able to get the surgery done.

At the infusion center where I get my IVIG, one of the nurses named Lisa just had her port removed which she had for some nasty chemo to treat ovarian cancer. She had it put in 3 years ago and cried when tears of joy when she had it taken out. Lisa shared that its what it represented and that the chemo was so rough that made her resentful for the port. I think I can appreciate what she is saying.

Something like a port does tend to remind us how severe MG can truly be.

Thanks for sharing your experiences Annie and xmas....whats great is that we have these treatment options.

Joe

Annie what is the model number and manufacturer for the dual port you use? This information should also be on the little card they gave you

It will be interesting to know what model number was used in this setup.

Best of wishes Annie

Joe