Accidentally hit an artery during my first fill!

[Rockin' Robyn 15]

Hello Everyone-

Needing some support. I was totally excited for my first fill. There was some difficulty in trying to locate my port...but all in all I thought it went well. The next day, I started having severe abdominal pain (worse than the surgery or even childbirth!) My husband ended up taking me to the ER, where I was hospitalized for 3 days (Now I'm going to be stuck with another large hospital bill). The final verdict by my surgeon was that he had inadvertantly "nicked" (sp?) a small artery next to my port when trying to locate it during my fill. What ended up happening is that I had developed large hematomas (blood clots) in my abdomen. He said this is a very rare occurrance..of course I would be the lucky one But my problem now is that I'm having massive amounts of anxiety about the next fill!

I contemplated doing the next one under fluroscopy, but that would cost me an extra $650 each time (I'm self pay). My question is has anyone had anything close to this experience before, because I had never even heard of the possibility if hitting a blood vessel during a fill causing abdominal bleeding. Also, for those of you that have had trouble with the surgeon locating your ports for fills and then opted to instead fill under fluroscopy, was it worth it?

Just needing encouragement I guess, as I'm just thinking to myself...what if this happens again-because arteries typically don't just move out of the way or disappear...they will still be there the next time we try!

[fee 0]

im so sorry to hear what happened to you

i hope you feel better really soon and your pain goes away

dont be disheartened maybe the next fill will all go to plan

[La_madam 20]

WOw, Im so sorry to hear what happend to you, I havenever heard of this,.

I get all of my fills done under flouro, I go to MX for them, I have never had a fill without Flouro but all I can say is I never want a fill without fluoro, it gives me such peace of mind. 650 for a fill under flouro, geez, I'm lucky I go to MX then for mine and only pay 100. Where do you live? Who is your Dr. ? have you ever considered going to MX for your fillls if it is close to you, all of the MX docs will take on any patients no matter where they were banded. Again , so sorry to hear what you have gone through I hope you feel better soon. Best Wishes to you

[Mita 2]

Wow I am so sorry that happened to you.. Just like Michelle asks maybe you can do your fills in Mexico are you close enough???

[jqpublic 1]

Im so sorry to hear about that I, only hope you next fill will be better.

[Vera 7]

He said this is a very rare occurrance

Just keep this in mind.

This is the first time I've heard of this.

Sorry this happen to you.

(((HUGS)))

[loopylou 0]

My Dr refused to do any fills on me for this very reason. I am on blood thinning drugs which he said could make me bleed around the port sight and cause problems like yours. Thankyou for sharing your troubles, because I have been bitching about not being able to have a fill and now I see why he has said 'no' I feel kinda ashamed. And I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I am sure things will work out for you though, try not to worry.

[Guest Miranda75]

Well I havent had my doc hit an artery yet but i hate to say I wouldnt put it past him. What he did do was hit the side of my port causeing me to go through surgery again yesterday and let me tell you I am in pain. Also I have begged my Dr to fill me under flouro for now on and he just wont budge...he doesnt want to for what ever reason.I do feel your frustration. You should try to find all my posts and read them.

-miranda

[Alexandra 55]

Yikes, that's a new one on me, too. I'm so sorry that happened to you!

[Jessiebear 2]

I would go for fluoro! My doc tried to do my first fill without fluoro & it was an awful experience. Since having to reposition my port due to it flipping, I get all my fills done under fluoro. Sorry you had to go through this! Hope everything goes smooth for you from here on out!

[katerzz 4]

wow im amazed at so many surgeons who NEED to do it under fluoro..

My surgeon pushes around on me.. finds the port (has me kinda do a sit up he can pinch it with his fingers showing wher it is..) then he numbs me up and POP hes in no problems. I've only had 1 problem where they couldnt find the port and that was the nurse not the surgeon and only after i had already had a fill (they were taking some out a few mins later after i couldnt drink) which ive heard that the material on the port gets "stiff" sort to speak after a fill (to close back up would be my assumption) But even after they couldnt find it it was just a matter of them not being able to pierce it.. they were in the right place it just wasnt piercing through the port.

Now if i could just be so typical on fill lvls as the average person id be set hahaha

[Lioness81970 0]

I contemplated doing the next one under fluroscopy, but that would cost me an extra $650 each time (I'm self pay).

Why don't u talk to your doctor about doing it for you at a reduced rate? I mean I'm sure that he has to know money is very limited and with what just happened he has to know it cost you more than it would have had the oriiginal fill been done under floro. Maybe you can get so many for so much money? Doesn't hurt to ask. Just a suggestion