Having a chemo port fitted can be a stressful enough time without the challenge of missed sleep or discomfort during the night.
While some people may not have an issue sleeping comfortably with a chemo port, others find it highly troublesome, and it can knock on their day-to-day lives.
Suppose you’ve recently had a chemo port fitted, and you’re struggling to find a comfortable way to sleep at night. In that case, this guide will hopefully give you a good insight and a few ideas of things that you can do to make your night’s sleep a lot more comfortable.
What is a Chemo Port?
A chemo port is a device placed under the skin by doctors that attaches to a vein. The port makes it much more straightforward to receive treatment without having to hunt down a vein each time, which can be frustrating for the doctor and patient.
Most of the time, the devices are placed in the chest area, which is why some people, especially those who sleep on their front, may find it challenging to get a comfortable night’s sleep.
Because chemo ports can be in place for the long term in some cases, it’s essential to find ways to live with it as efficiently as possible.
When you first have your port fitted, you may feel a few irritations, such as itching, pain, and general discomfort, which can interfere with your sleep. However, these short-term symptoms should pass within a couple of days.
Some people, though, still struggle with getting used to their new devices. After the pain or swelling has gone down, they look for alternative ways to sleep to get a good night’s rest.
Of course, if you’re fighting cancer, your sleeping disorder could be caused by issues other than your chemo port. This can be caused by the treatment itself, your cancer symptoms, stress, anxiety, or general mental well-being. In these cases, it’s important to discuss these issues with your doctor, who will be able to advise you further on maintaining a healthy sleep routine.
Comfortable Sleeping Position With a Chemo Port
You can try several things regarding your sleep schedule and position that make sleeping with a chemo port much more comfortable.
Sleeping positions vary widely from person to person. Honestly, there is no right or wrong way to sleep comfortably with your chemo port. It’s all down to preference and what works for you.
However, some positions are more likely to cause your chemo port to move or lodge into an awkward position under the skin, which can lead to further complications.
The best way to sleep after having your chemo port fitted is flat on your back. This way, you’re minimizing the pressure being put on the area.
For front sleepers, it can prove difficult to adapt to sleeping on your back, so suppose this is the case. You can try sleep aids such as a body pillow, which may help you adjust your sleeping position.
Sleeping on your side will work too. However, you should sleep on the opposite side to that of which your port is fitted.
Side Sleeping
Suppose you find sleeping on your back uncomfortable, and your preferred way to sleep is on your side. In that case, this is still perfectly fine as long as you avoid putting pressure on the affected area.
This is particularly the case immediately after your port has been fitted because this is where your newly fitted port will be at its most sensitive. Plus, you’ll still be coming to terms with something foreign in your body.
For this reason, if you can, you should try to sleep on your back while the area heals. You can make this more comfortable by placing pillows down on either side of your body, which will discourage you from rolling over during the night.
Once the skin has healed, however, there is nothing to say that you shouldn’t sleep on your side. It’s essential, however, that you sleep on the opposite side of where your port is located. Putting pressure on the area can lead to aggravation.
Best Pillows And Mattresses For Sleeping With a Chemo Port
One of the primary things to consider aside from your sleeping position is the condition of the bed you’re sleeping on. What I mean by this is the quality of your pillow and mattress.
Good support of your body while you sleep is vital to getting a restful night’s sleep, and this is precisely the case while trying to adapt to life with your chemo port.
For example, the quality and firmness of your mattress are worth looking at. Although you might think a soft bed is perfect, this can adversely affect you, causing you to sink, toss, and turn in your sleep. While sleeping on your back is mainly advised, a firm mattress makes this much more comfortable.
The quality of your pillow also makes a significant difference. Finding a pillow that you find comfortable and supports your head and neck. It will reduce the chances of you turning over in the night and prevent you from waking up multiple times during the night in an attempt to readjust your pillow.
Large body pillows have been proven beneficial for anyone sleeping with a chemo port, especially for people who tend to move around a lot while they sleep.
What You Wear to Bed?
What you wear to bed at night can also contribute to your comfort and quality of sleep when adapting your sleep hygiene practices to accommodate your chemo port.
The most appropriate clothing must be light, loose-fitting, and made from non-irritable materials such as cotton. This will not only help avoid irritation of the affected area but also help with getting too hot during the night, which goes hand-in-hand with chemo treatment.
It’s also vital that you avoid bed clothes with fasteners such as zips, buttons, poppers, or any other accessories. It could rub or irritate the area where your port is positioned.
Life with a Chemo Port – A Final Word
Adjusting your everyday sleeping routine and life can be a struggle, especially after the first few days of having your chemo port fitted. Still, it’s important to remember that initial discomfort will begin to ease after a few days, and there are things you can do in the meantime to lessen the irritation.
Avoiding tight clothing or materials that cause itching or friction will speed up the healing process. Wearing items such as bras, suspenders, or bags which go across the chest.
Another thing you must ensure you’re doing is resting. A lot of movement, or any kind of heavy lifting or working out, could hinder the healing process; take it easy just while you heal.
It’s also vital to keep a close eye on your newly fitted chemo port; occasionally, infections can occur. So, you should contact your doctor immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms such as fever, bleeding, swelling, pus, or shortness of breath.
Keep an eye on the cleaning of your chemo port. This should be done thoroughly by your chemo nurse before each session, and if you feel this is being neglected, be sure to request them to do so.
Although chemo ports are in place for practical reasons, this doesn’t mean they’re easy to live with or comfortable. So, I hope that in reading this guide, you now feel a little more rest assured that there are some things you can do to enhance your sleep quality after being fitted with your chemo port.
By changing a few simple things at home, such as your sleeping position, clothing, and bedding, you can drastically improve your comfort during the night.
