Experience with numbing spray or cream?

[kimblebee]

I have a port. I got it because I don’t have any usable veins and I get monthly blood draws.

The nurses tried to use it two months ago and it has totally shifted and is now barely usable. They tried to poke it three times and were also pressing on it to try and move it. After about 15 minutes I had to ask them to stop because it was hurting so much, and I have a high pain tolerance.

The nurse suggested I ask my dr for a prescription for Emla patches. They have lidocaine and something else and numb the skin so that next time I have to use the port, they can be rough for a little longer.

I was looking online and it looks like the prescription is about $90 and I don’t think it’s covered by our insurance.

Does anyone use something similar that might be a little easier on the wallet? It doesn’t have to last a long time, maybe 30 minutes to an hour tops.

*I did see that it’s available on Amazon, but I’m not willing to risk buying a prescription medication without needing a prescription. Seems pretty shady.

 

[karmic]

Hi Kimlebee
I have been an Oncology Nurse for 35 years and have accessed thousands of ports so I have a few questions
How deep is it and, if it is deep have they tried a longer needle?
Is port access something the nurses do often?
Do they eventually get blood?
It really should be very easy
I know that in the US EMLA is covered by insurance and is really the most effective

 

[kimblebee]

Hi Kimlebee
I have been an Oncology Nurse for 35 years and have accessed thousands of ports so I have a few questions
How deep is it and, if it is deep have they tried a longer needle?
Is port access something the nurses do often?
Do they eventually get blood?
It really should be very easy
I know that in the US EMLA is covered by insurance and is really the most effective

They use a 1" needle for port access. The issue is that it's shifted sideways and angled so the part where the needle goes is not close to the skin, its to the side

I go to an IV clinic that specializes in ports, so yes, they do it all day, every day.

The last time they tried, they couldn't get the needle in, the time before that, they were able to after manipulation. There is no issue getting blood or flushing it.

I know it should be easy, but because of the shifting, it isn't. I think I've been referred back to the surgeon to possibly get it moved. Perhaps on the collarbone so it can't shift again. I really don't want to get the surgery again because the last time I wanted to punch the doctor when he was putting in the freezing and kept hitting bone. I know I was supposed to be in twilight, but, because I don't have usable veins, the attempt to put in the IV didn't work so I was totally awake for the surgery.

 

[Kitty 34]

Kim, I'm no expert on ports or the numbing creams you are asking about, but as you know I have an IV every week for my infusions and just wondering what makes your veins so hard to "use"? I've been getting these infusions going on two years ( and knock on wood) they have only had issues finding a vein maybe 3-5 times. They do use both arms, wrists, and hands to find a vein.

 

[Dizneefamily+4]

My dh is currently battling colon cancer. He has a port as well. He uses the EMLA cream which he applies about an hour before chemo - or any other time they need to access his port. He forgot it once. Learned his lesson and ALWAYS remembers that cream now. It really works for him.

 

[karmic]

They use a 1" needle for port access. The issue is that it's shifted sideways and angled so the part where the needle goes is not close to the skin, its to the side

I go to an IV clinic that specializes in ports, so yes, they do it all day, every day.

The last time they tried, they couldn't get the needle in, the time before that, they were able to after manipulation. There is no issue getting blood or flushing it.

I know it should be easy, but because of the shifting, it isn't. I think I've been referred back to the surgeon to possibly get it moved. Perhaps on the collarbone so it can't shift again. I really don't want to get the surgery again because the last time I wanted to punch the doctor when he was putting in the freezing and kept hitting bone. I know I was supposed to be in twilight, but, because I don't have usable veins, the attempt to put in the IV didn't work so I was totally awake for the surgery.

They should try a longer needle perhaps 1.5 inches

 

[sjrec]

Even if it’s 90.00, maybe you would get several visits to use it? I’m sorry this is so painful for you. My father dealt with this 10 years ago) and I wish we had thought to check this out.

 

[kimblebee]

Kim, I'm no expert on ports or the numbing creams you are asking about, but as you know I have an IV every week for my infusions and just wondering what makes your veins so hard to "use"? I've been getting these infusions going on two years ( and knock on wood) they have only had issues finding a vein maybe 3-5 times. They do use both arms, wrists, and hands to find a vein.

My veins are very deep and they pretty much collapse on contact. I had one usable vein in the crook of my right arm but it was used so much that it now has too much scar tissue. Most people have veins on the back of their hands that are visible. I don’t. I’m always jealous of old people who have those super juicy veins lol

They should try a longer needle perhaps 1.5 inches

The deepness isn’t the issue. Like I said, it’s because it’s totally shifted and turned. Imagine a die under your skin with the one dot on top. Mine would be turned 90° so a totally different number was showing.

Even if it’s 90.00, maybe you would get several visits to use it? I’m sorry this is so painful for you. My father dealt with this 10 years ago) and I wish we had thought to check this out.

I believe the $90 is for 20 doses. In the grand scene of things it’s not a lot. I’m just getting 3-4 other prescriptions at the same time and it’s a lot to pay upfront. I think I’ll hold off on it for a while. I don’t need it for a month anyway. I didn’t know about it until a
nurse mentioned it.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

It sounds like the port needs to be fixed or, more likely, replaced, because it has migrated somehow. Stinks, but hopefully the new one will be better, then you hopefully won't need the prescription. These things happen sometimes and it's not anyone's fault, necessarily - the body can do some funny things that we don't expect or are unusual.

Honestly as a nurse I had seen so many problems with ports that I elected not to get one myself when I got chemo. Since I had axillary nodes removed I also could only use one arm for IVs, and often would arrive to chemo appointments unwell, dehydrated and freezing in the middle of winter, so that made things even worse. I learned to hydrate really well on the way there (ya fun stuck in traffic), stay warm with coats and blankets, and as soon as I got there they put warm packs on my arm to try to pop the veins out. It often took several tries to get a line in my arm, which could be super painful, so I can relate to these difficulties. Today I still can only use my left arm for blood draws and have also become somewhat of a difficult stick due to scar tissue. (They used my right during surgery out of necessity.)

Hang in there. I might try to get one dose of the prescription to get you through the next session while you wait to have it redone. Talk to your medical team about it and see if there's anything they can do to help you out with it.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hugs, Kim. I use Gebauer's Pain Ease for TMJ (myofascial pain/stretching). It's main use is as a topical for routine shots or bloodwork! It is by Rx only and at least here in the US can be pricey. Thanks to the Grace of God I only rarely use it these days but it's a Blessing to have on hand. I have heard something called Biofreeze might act similarly. I've never used any creams other than once before dental surgery. Take care and know I/we care

 

[Kitty 34]

My veins are very deep and they pretty much collapse on contact. I had one usable vein in the crook of my right arm but it was used so much that it now has too much scar tissue. Most people have veins on the back of their hands that are visible. I don’t. I’m always jealous of old people who have those super juicy veins lol

I gotta tell you that my 89 year old "frail" mom has a heck of time with them finding her veins for blood work. She actually had to go in a 3rd time to try to find a vein. I'm so hoping that won't be me in a few years. I don't have juicy veins but they still can be rather visible after drinking tons of water. And I know what you mean about the crook of your arm. They can't use my left arm crook because there is so much scar tissue from earlier years.

Good luck to you.

 

[amberpi]

I’m in general a very small full grown human. The veins in the crooks of my arms are largely useless except for the lady at my gastro who is amazing. My hands are gtg though if I am hydrated. I hate that you have to have a port (I did for a long time) and it’s still causing you problems. I’m sending you love and prayers (if that doesn’t offend) that things get better soon. Many hugs and all the online support.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I know nothing about them beyond their existence but would the numbing creams/patches used by some when they get tattooed work? I know you don't need a prescription for those but don't know about their price point.

 

[kimblebee]

I know nothing about them beyond their existence but would the numbing creams/patches used by some when they get tattooed work? I know you don't need a prescription for those but don't know about their price point.

I didn’t know about them either until I started doing research. It might be an option. I’ll ask the dr tomorrow.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I didn’t know about them either until I started doing research. It might be an option. I’ll ask the dr tomorrow.

I have 15 tattoos but have only had a numbing spray applied once and it was just to blast through the last little bit of a rib piece and I was kinda out of it at the time so I have no idea exactly what was used...

 

[Someluck]

Sending good thoughts your way and hoping you find a comfortable fix for the situation.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

When my daughter was younger she had bloodwork often and we were able to get a large tube of EMLA from a Canadian mail order pharmacy without a prescription. We would apply it about 30 minutes before the blood draw and then wrap her arm with Saran Wrap and it worked like a charm. The entire tube cost about $35 and lasted for years and years.

 

[kimblebee]

When my daughter was younger she had bloodwork often and we were able to get a large tube of EMLA from a Canadian mail order pharmacy without a prescription. We would apply it about 30 minutes before the blood draw and then wrap her arm with Saran Wrap and it worked like a charm. The entire tube cost about $35 and lasted for years and years.

Ironically, as a Canadian, I can’t order from those sites lol

 

[ronandannette]

Ironically, as a Canadian, I can’t order from those sites lol

I was just going to ask that. I’ve never seen one advertised and don’t know anybody who buys drugs on-line, so I presume there’s some reason we can’t. Do you know why that is?

 

[kimblebee]

I was just going to ask that. I’ve never seen one advertised and don’t know anybody who buys drugs on-line, so I presume there’s some reason we can’t. Do you know why that is?

I don’t know the legal reason but I do know we can’t. I think maybe because it’s a different supply.