I have my first fill tomorrow. I am so nervous. Can anyone give me any pointers????

I am a needle "baby"....

My doc uses a "little pricky needle" to numb the port area.... then he grabs the fill needle - don't look at it... it is pretty big! (During the fill, I just stare at a point on the ceiling) It is over pretty quickly - then they have you take a sip of water and he sends you on your way. Please please please - stick to liquids for the length of time your doc says... don't rush this part!

Good luck, you will be fine (if I can do it - anyone can!!) :thumbup:

Be sure to follow the drs guidelines. I am told not to eat or drink anything four hours prior to the fill then liquids the rest of the day then build up to mushies and solids as they are tolerable.

I remember how nervous I was with my first fill but it honestly wasn't bad at all. My dr. doesn't use any numbing agent and it still isn't bad; the feeling is comparable to a blood draw. I agree with Deanna, it is good to avoid looking at the needle and focus away from what the dr is doing.

My dr did my first fill with fluoro to make sure everything was ok in there. For this, he inserted the needle, did a little fill then had me walk over to the xray machine. I drank a tiny bit of barium and some Water and watched how it went down on the screen. When we were sure that the water stayed down OK, he removed the needle and I was on my way.

Don't expect too much from the first fill. It doesn't always have the full effect we imagine. Slow and steady is best and each fill will get you to where you need to be.