When you’re going through cancer treatment, getting a good night’s sleep is especially important. Rest helps your body heal and gives you more energy to cope with treatment. But having a chemo port — a small, implantable device that attaches to a vein — may make it challenging to get comfortable at night. Poor sleep over time may also affect how well your body responds to treatment.
“We regularly see patients undergoing treatment who experience disrupted sleep, which can negatively affect them physically and mentally,” says Krisstina Gowin, D.O., a hematologist-oncologist who specializes in integrative medicine at City of Hope® Orange County Lennar Foundation Cancer Center. “Helping them find ways to sleep better is an important part of supportive care.”
This article details information and strategies for sleeping with a chemo port, including:
- Check your sleeping position
- Consider a chemo port pillow for sleeping
- Wear comfortable pajamas
- Will your chemotherapy port fall out when you sleep?
- If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are interested in getting a second opinion of your diagnosis or treatment options, chat online with a member of our team or call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
Check Your Sleeping Position
When you have a chemo port, finding a comfortable sleeping position may take some adjustment.
“While no position is technically unsafe, certain positions may put pressure on the port or cause it to shift under the skin,” Dr. Gowin says. “That’s why we encourage patients to sleep on their back, since it keeps pressure off the port and reduces friction.”
This position may help protect the port and make it easier to get a good night’s rest.
Consider a Chemo Port Pillow for Sleeping
Specially designed to cushion and protect the port site, chemo port pillows may make sleeping more comfortable. They help reduce pressure and irritation, which may make it easier to rest.
If you don’t have a chemo port pillow, you can use regular pillows to create support. Try placing a small pillow or folded towel near the port area to act as a cushion or use extra pillows to prop up your body so you stay on your back and avoid rolling onto the port overnight.
Wear Comfortable Pajamas
When you have a chemo port, what you wear also matters. Loose-fitting, lightweight pajamas are usually the most comfortable. Tight clothing or pajamas that have buttons or poppers may press on the port, which may cause irritation or make it harder to sleep.
Fabrics that are soft and breathable — like cotton or other natural fibers — are usually best, since they’re gentle on the skin and help keep you cool. Avoid rough or scratchy materials, which can rub against the port area.
Will Your Chemotherapy Port Fall Out While You Sleep?
No, your chemotherapy port will not fall out while you sleep.
A chemo port is a small medical device that’s placed securely under your skin and connected to a vein. “It’s designed to stay in place for months — or even years — of treatment,” Dr. Gowin says.
While normal movements during sleep won’t cause the port to come out, certain sleeping positions may put pressure on the port or make it feel uncomfortable.
To reduce irritation, many patients find it helpful to sleep on their backs or use custom pillows for support. Loose, soft clothing and breathable fabrics may also help you get the sleep you need and deserve.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are interested in getting a second opinion of your diagnosis or treatment options, chat online with a member of our team or call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.