I am new here--have been suffering from Lyme for about 2.5 years--last year--the Doxycycline(oral)knocked it way down to the point where I felt healthy--this year it has returned with a vengeance--tried Doxy for 4 weeks to no avail. Then took Amoxicillin for 4 weeks to no avail. My symptoms are chronic fatigue--sleeping 12 hours a day or more and overall muscle weakness--NO ARTHRITIS
Questions: How uncomfortable is the Picc line procedure? How long does it take? How nasty is Ceftriaxone?
thank you
Posts: 10 | From Medford, new jersey | Registered: May 2014
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droid1226
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 34930
posted
I've had a few PICC's with Ceftriaxone(as well) for well over a yr. The procedure itself is 10-15 mins and is no worse than drawing blood. Super easy.
posted
thank you--it appears the Lyme has embedded itself in me beyond the point where oral anti-biotics are effective. I am having anxiety over having a line leading to my aorta--but I will try and block that out of my mind. thanks again-much appreciated.
Posts: 10 | From Medford, new jersey | Registered: May 2014
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Rocephin has been a gift from god for me.
Helping me to claw my way out of the pit.
It's taken 8 months to FINALLY herx like hell during IV rocephin.
So put in your mind, you are in for the long haul, and it will be easier to get a PICC.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
I'm doing IM (intramuscular) rocephin since I don't want a picc line. The downside is you need someone else to give you the shot.
IM Bicillin is another option if you don't want a picc line.
I was not progressing on oral antibiotics either. I noticed fast progress doing IM instead.
I had some immediate relief from muscle weakness and fatigue after starting rocephin (not back to my old self by any means, but any progress is better than nothing).
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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posted
I felt the same as you before I got my PICC line last May.
I would HIGHLY recommend a radiologist do it because they will numb the area...just a little sting, and have your arm under the x-ray machine.
This is a good thing because they can see exactly where the line is going and how far. The radiologist I had was super nice, great bedside manner (I told them that I was going to cry)...Here I am a woman in her mid forties and scared to death.
But they were great and said, just about everyone is scared and you are going through a lot already, so it is ok to cry. Then the doctor said..but I will have this done so fast that you won't be crying.
And he was right. Just like Droid said...it only took about 10 - 15 minutes and it was over. Yay!! I was so relieved I wanted to hug all of them.
And at the beginning when I had home health come to my house, I recorded on my phone or my husband actually recorded everything she did with my saline bag, mixing the ceftriaxone, what to do with the IV line, etc.
Because when it came time for me to do it, I couldn't remember everything and the recording was a life saver. Oh, and I started on Primaxin first and now I have been on Rocephin and have been making progress on it.
I personally feel that with everything I have done these past couple of years have helped to some degree. I will pray for you and that your PICC line goes smoothly (which it should).
And before you know it, you will be so use to it. Also, if you start to get itchy where your PICC line is covered you could be having a fungal infection.
I thought I was allergic at first, but then figured out it was yeast from the sweat/moisture. Also, just in case this happens to you, the first time the nurse changed my dressing, she was wearing gloves and trying to scratch the clear Tegaderm away...I literally
formed that night a red mark, terrible itch that turned into a bubble like a blister. It just so happens I am allergic to Latex when it is used as much as she was using it to scratch and pull away the Tegaderm from skin. The mark was exactly where her finger was.
I hope this information is helpful. If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM if you would like.
Posts: 167 | From Southeast Tennessee/Chattanooga/Atlanta | Registered: Oct 2012
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