Hi CowgirlUp,
My experience with PLEX is now 2 full years but might be different from yours as my MG is rather resistant to medications. I started with one exchange every week, then every 2 weeks and presently every month. I never had ports, always directly in the veins although I'm under Pred.
I would recommend that the vein condition should be taken into account when considering ports, so that no unnecessary work be done for them.
I never had pain (I don't even feel the needle going in) although the exchanges were always conducted at the max speed (150), maybe the needle size has something to do with pain?
I should also say that in France, Plex are always run in special hospital departments totally devoted to the use of these machines, maybe the nurse's experience is greater?
They exchange 1.5 time the blood volume to have a better efficiency, I undertand that in some countries, they exchange only one time the blood volume.
The nurses should always point out the need for a good meal before the exchange.
I agree with Tyson, snacks and juices are welcome before and after, the same for the gaze pad on the needle although I'm not bothered by seeing the needles but for some people, it may help.
I'm not comfortable lying flat on the bed so, I always raise the head section which also gives me a better view of what's going on in the room...(up to 3 patients per room)
Good luck for your presentation!
Maurice.