For the veterans

[jhawkchick75]

So for you veterans I need some advice...

Lately i've been having some discomfort in my port area. I thought it was from increasing my workouts - i'm training for a 5k so i've started running a few times a week. But tonight I noticed that the discomfort is mostly there when i'm sitting on the couch. So my question is, could it be a matter of how i'm positioned? I always lay on the couch with my back propped up on the arm. So I guess kind of laying down but propped up. Not sure if this is possible, but it almost feels like it is pushing on my ribs.

I've also noticed that it's been a little weird to lay on my tummy as it puts pressure on it. Again, might sound weird but could it be that there is less fat there and so no cushion for the port? When I put my hand on my tummy I can feel the post much easier it is almost starting to pooch out.

Getting into some uncharted territory so wanted to see if anyone else has had something like this. Always have that small fear that something is wrong. I have my 5th fill tomorrow so i'll ask for flouro this time. Have had it every time but last time and I haven't had a fill since March so it will be nice to check everything to make sure it is OK.

Here's to hopefully finding that sweet spot!

[nothereanymore]

There are times when I can feel my port more than others. It’s never been really uncomfortable, it’s just telling me that its there.

I believe since we are losing weight, (nice soft fat cushion – gone baby gone) and gaining muscle (hard and tough, but pretty damn sexy) it changes how the port sits and feels. In addition I know mine has built a layer of scar tissue on it. So there are times when I can really feel it, however it always settles down after the adjustments to my body.

It’s odd, I’m guessing yours is most likely the normal changes that happens as our body changes - but keep an eye on it and if it gets too uncomfortable call the OCC. I know some people have had to move their port after losing weight, its not a big deal and from what I've heard its pretty reasonable at the OCC.

Best,

Lisa

[LisaLaw]

I am by no means an expert, but I have also been runnning and training for a 12k this month.

The first 3 weeks of running I had the same tenderness around the port, I am now on week 6 of my runs and currently

up 5-6 miles per run and that tenderness is completely gone.

I had a fluoro last week with my latest fill and everything was okey-dokey.

I just figured it was the lack of stomach muscles in the beginning to help keep things firm when I ran, now I do have some side obliques going on and I do not hear myself gurgling anymore either.

Keep up the great work and good luck on the 5k.

Getting healthy (not just losing the weight) is the whole point of our fickle friend.

[ValleyGirl]

I'm not a vet, but if it make you feel any better, you are not alone. I've always been very aware of my port and am certain it pushes on my ribs sometimes. It almost feels like it is catching but if I re-adjust my body, I can usually move it back in place. I've never been able to sleep on my left side since surgery cause I can totally feel it...it's like laying down on a golf ball in my bed! I had it checked under fluoro and it was fine!

Sabrina:)

[Smiley]

I had some pretty severe pain in the area of my port back in the fall and it ended up being scar tissue. Luckily the scar tissue has shrunk now and I really do not have that pain anymore.

My port has been kind of sensitive and sore lately, but I attribute it to the binder that I am still wearing. A week from tomorrow I get to run around binder free and am expecting the soreness to start to dissipate at that point.

What did Dr. Malley say?

[jhawkchick75]

I am by no means an expert, but I have also been runnning and training for a 12k this month.

The first 3 weeks of running I had the same tenderness around the port, I am now on week 6 of my runs and currently

up 5-6 miles per run and that tenderness is completely gone.

I had a fluoro last week with my latest fill and everything was okey-dokey.

I just figured it was the lack of stomach muscles in the beginning to help keep things firm when I ran, now I do have some side obliques going on and I do not hear myself gurgling anymore either.

Keep up the great work and good luck on the 5k.

Getting healthy (not just losing the weight) is the whole point of our fickle friend.

WOW!! That is fantastic good luck on your 12K! That is so great! I was pretty proud of myself for 4 miles - dang!

Let me know how it goes! Mine is going to be on my birthday in Sept so will be pretty eventful for a couple reasons. I have friends coming into town to run with me.

[jhawkchick75]

I had some pretty severe pain in the area of my port back in the fall and it ended up being scar tissue. Luckily the scar tissue has shrunk now and I really do not have that pain anymore.

My port has been kind of sensitive and sore lately, but I attribute it to the binder that I am still wearing. A week from tomorrow I get to run around binder free and am expecting the soreness to start to dissipate at that point.

What did Dr. Malley say?

Thank you all so much for your feedback! It makes me feel better that i'm not alone on this one.

My fill went well today - I didn't see Dr. Malley, but saw a NP and she said it was very normal. As you all said when you don't have as much fat there to cushion it that can make for a bit of discomfort. She also agreed that running might be a reason too, but nothing to worry about. She said a lot of folks have trouble too when they are leaning over the sink to do dishes or over the tub to wash the kids which I can also see.

I got .2cc today. She didn't want to give me a fill, but I insisted. She asked me what I eat on a typical day which sounds OK, but there are many days where I can eat way too much and I don't have the best willpower, so I really need that restriction. One morning I ate tater tots for breakfast! I know, I know never should have gotten them, but they went down fine. I am up to 3.1 now and she asked me to really up my protein especially since i'm running now. I hadn't had a fill since March and i've lost 15lbs since my last visit there so 15lbs in less than 3 months i'll take that. I had soup for lunch and then a bit of pasta for dinner and all went down fine so i'm good to go. I'll go for solids tomorrow so hopefully there will be some restriction!

Thanks again everyone!!

[LisaLaw]

so glad to hear everything went fine! I agree, if you are able to munch on tator tots for Bfast, it is time for a fill...LOL

You will begin to notice after about 4-5 weeks of consistent running that you are developing your CORE (abs, lats, etc) and the strength of your core will begin to take away the pain of that port area.

I used to get this really weird sloshy, gurgly sound when I was running the first few weeks, so glad that is gone =)

I am not ready for this 12k, I have not been able to run more than 6 miles without getting tired, but dang it, I am going to give it one hell of a try. I still have 45 lbs to lose and just relying on fills is not doing it.

best of luck!

[jhawkchick75]

so glad to hear everything went fine! I agree, if you are able to munch on tator tots for Bfast, it is time for a fill...LOL

You will begin to notice after about 4-5 weeks of consistent running that you are developing your CORE (abs, lats, etc) and the strength of your core will begin to take away the pain of that port area.

I used to get this really weird sloshy, gurgly sound when I was running the first few weeks, so glad that is gone =)

I am not ready for this 12k, I have not been able to run more than 6 miles without getting tired, but dang it, I am going to give it one hell of a try. I still have 45 lbs to lose and just relying on fills is not doing it.

best of luck!

Yeah, the tots were really not a good idea but I was craving them and wanted to try. From my tightness at breakfast so far, I can pretty much assure tots are out!

You know I really never thought about how much running works your core - always just think about the legs. So glad you mentioned that.

Thanks!!!

[LisaLaw]

Yeah, the tots were really not a good idea but I was craving them and wanted to try. From my tightness at breakfast so far, I can pretty much assure tots are out!

You know I really never thought about how much running works your core - always just think about the legs. So glad you mentioned that.

Thanks!!!

Keep us posted on the 5k =) I bet you that you will push yourself further than that (hehehehe)

Check this out! This is actually very cool -

Your core--the roughly 30 muscles that connect your legs to your hips, spine, and rib cage--have a tough job. Namely, to work synergistically to stabilize your torso. This is particularly demanding when you run, since 60 percent of your body shifts in about .02 seconds, says Dennis Kline, the strength coach who designed Team Running USA's core program. Here are the primary stabilizers and how they function when you run.

Obliques: These muscles rotate your torso and work with the transversus abdominis to support your center during movement.

Rectus Abdominis: This muscle is the fitness aesthetic: The contours of the contracted rectus abdominis form the almighty "six-pack." While it helps stabilize your core, its main function is to flex or curl the trunk.

Transversus Abdominis: This deepest of the abdominal muscles wraps laterally around your center, acting like an internal weight belt.

Psoas Major/Iliacus: Better known as the hip flexors, these muscles lift the thigh toward the abdomen and limit excess motion of the hip joint.

Erector Spinae: This collection of three muscles (not shown) straightens the back and, along with the multifidus, a short muscle, supports the spine.