Hi Dana,
So far I had 3 series of 4 PLEX, one 2 years ago as an in-patient with a femoral port which didn't function well and was removed after the first session. These took place every 2 days and they insert the neddles in my arm veins which, by chance, are very accessible and strong.
The other 2 are recent, one late november and the other late december but this time as an out-patient and again without port. My veins are still OK even after 2 year Pred treatment...The sessions are performed at the rate of 2 per week.
I just started a different scheme: once per week for 5 weeks, out-patient and no port! The future is probably one session every 10 or 15 days until my 50 mg Pred (or more?) finally kicks in...
Maurice.
My advise: have your father's arm veins seen by the PLEX staff, maybe he doesn't need any port!

Hi Dana,

I had 3 sessions in 6 days as an out patient and they used the viens in my arms. They were only going to put in a port if the viens didn't hold up. Hope this helps.

Hugs,
Pat

Hi Dana,

I've had about 7-PLEX treatments since last Feb.. I haven't needed to get a port. I agree with Pat that I think that they're only required if the veins are weak.

If his veins can handle it, I'd opt to not get a port. There's an increased risk of infection, and so you have to be very vigilant in keeping them clean and such.

Nicky

I had plasma exchange once, many years ago. I was inpatient and they did it for 7 days straight, via the veins in my arms. It was to give me the strength to have my thymectomy Hope we helped answer your question

I have had my first "round" of PLEX, in the ICU, at that time they had to put in a central line, in my neck.

after that I had about 10 more as an outpatient in the ICU ( I know it sounds funny, but due to the severe response I had to the PLEX, they wanted me under good monitoring). as I was much better then, they could easily do it my arm veins.

my next "round" was again when I was not doing so well. they tried using my arm vein, but after the second time they had to put in a femoral line. the first few were done in the ICU, but then in the neurology ward.

I never had a port. and if you do need one, it has to be the kind they use for dialysis, as you need high flow for the PLEX.

hope this helps,

alice