Well, I'm going to give IV's a shot. My doc wants me to get a port. The biggest problem/fear I am having is that I have to have this procedure in the morning (fasting, etc). And every day, EVERY day, I am wretchedly sick for the first 4 hours I am awake. Sometimes it gets a bit better.
Honestly, I wake up every day since the idea of the port came up (just got some approval for insurance coverage today...they'll cover one month, as seems to be the norm)...anyway, every day, I think "if I feel like THIS, no way am I going to make it through a procedure". I can barely stand up or function at all.
I don't want to sound like a baby about it. Before lyme, even though I was very healthy, I'd had a couple of surgeries, and drove myself, wasn't worried, etc. But this is scaring me because of how sick/fragile I feel.
I'm wondering if a PICC might be easier, or if I could get it in an afternoon. Also, I think my doc is leaning towards a port because he's thinking 6+ months of Abx. And..PICCs wear out in 4 months or so? Not sure, I get different opinions.
Any advice?
-M
Posts: 322 | From Venice, CA | Registered: Sep 2008
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posted
I had a picc for 8 months and only had it pulled because I had a gall bladder attack and they decided to stop IV. When my nurse pulled the line she said it could have stayed in much longer. It was a great line. I had IV again a year later and that line was in for 5 months. Only had it pulled cause the IV was not helping.
If you decide on Picc make sure they do it in a hospital using x-ray and ultrasound. I had a doctor do mine in a actual operating room. I was laying down the entire time.
I think I had one done in the morning and the other early afternoon. Doctor didn't want me to have a port because he said Picc's were much easier. I never had any problems at all with either one of mine.
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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Haley
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22008
posted
HI M.
I remember feeling the same way going into my surgery. The pre-op was the day before, I was in a complete daze the entire time and didn't know what I was doing. Luckily, I had someone with me that could figure out what was going on.
All I know is that I got through it and it worked out. I felt the same way, that my body would not be able to handle the surgery. It was no problem at all.
In some ways I rushed into the decision because I didn't want my doc to change his mind about the port.
Looking back I may have opted for the PICC and if it didn't work then I would have gotten the port. It seems less permanent and if there is a problem it is fairly easy to remove a PICC.
There are benefits to both.
Good Luck
Posts: 2232 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
My daugher had a PICC. She had it in for 4 months with no problems at all. The visiting nurse said she has never seen a problem with a PICC as I was nervous after reading about people having problems.
She had it done in the hospital with a valium before she went in..which actually did nothing to relax her..but anyway..,.it was not a problem. She said she would do it again if she had to and she was sooo nervous in the beginning.
I do not see why you cant somehow request it be done in the afternoon due to your situation. My daughter felt better and better on the IV Rocephine but then relapsed as the LLMD did not put her on any maintenace abx or herbs
She is doing much better again now...and thats with just doing oral.
Good luck,
Deb G
Posts: 499 | From Malta, NY | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I have never had a PICC line, but I have had a Groshong line (a type of central line) in for over 3 years. It's placed in the jugular vein at about where your collar bone is, and then tunneled under the skin and comes out about mid chest.
The procedure was not difficult at all, I was awake but sedated, done in the hospital, and it was a fairly quick procedure.
It is VERY easy to take care of, I don't have to worry about any dressings, I just clean the site with alcohol every day and flush the line with saline after every IV med dose. There is no need for any home health or anything.
In all this time I have never had a clot or infection. I would highly recommend it for long term use.
-------------------- Susan Posts: 80 | From Queen Creek, AZ | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
I would opt for a PICC before a Port simply because it is less intrusive. With the Port ther eis an incision made to put it in, and to take it out. But, I hear that you can get it wet!
I have had a PICC line for 3 months with no problems, except I keep getting it wet going to the beach and pool. (It is hot here!!)
But, I get my husband to change the dressing when it gets wet, and I have never had any problems.
Good luck!!
Posts: 893 | From Florida | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I was Like kim812. But, I was taking Actigall while doing the picc rocephen so I had no Galbladder issues. Just remember with a picc you will have to have a nurse (Home Health) change the dressing weekly. I'm not familiar with a port.
-------------------- 5 yr. Vet. of the Lyme war. Helping and sharing are now my only objectives.I have nothing to sell & I no longer interfear with things I cannot control. But, I have learned many good things from my affliction & am a better person for it. Posts: 51 | From Northeastern PA | Registered: Jul 2010
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