Hi, everyone. I recently saw Dr. Sc in Chadds Ford, Pa and will be getting a picc on Monday.
I will be put on IV Rocephin for up to 90 days with Zithromax orally every other day. And Actigall daily.
My question is how have those of you on IV drugs responded? Also, has there been a high% of you that have contracted an infection due to the picc line.
I am just really scared about the thought of getting it, so some feedback would be nice.
Prior to this, my primary doc put me on Amox 500 mg three xday orally for 23 days. obviously, not long enough, considering I probably have had LD since 2006(possibly since 2000, I will never know)
Thanks alot:) JB Posted by LuLuFlorida (Member # 12066) on :
JB,
I just wanted to let you know that the only time I have improved during treatment has been since I was on IV. I find that the herx reactions are lighter and I generally feel better. I have had 3 PICC lines and have never gotten an infection. I did get a blood clot in my last line do to rough placement. I think with everything in Lyme treatment there are risks and benefits. Ih vae to say that I was freaked out about getting a PICC line and they really arent bad at all!
Good luck, Lindsay
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
jb, please go to top of MEDICAL and look for post on ROCEPHINE; people's experiences are there! you could add yours there too vs. starting a new one! Posted by KS (Member # 12549) on :
I did one month of IV rocephin. No PICC infections, no herx, no clots and definitely some improvement.
One common theme I keep hearing though is that those people that stop treating after rocephin, are more likely to relapse afterwards, so be sure to continue some treatment after your 3 months are up.
Also, be sure a doctor is monitoring your liver enzymes ....by week 4, my liver enzymes were up to almost 900 (normal range around 40) and I was immediately taken off of all meds. Liver worked itself out after a couple of weeks off meds.
Hopefully to better days ahead for you....
Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
Yes, ks.
Coffeebehm: I had 6 months of IV Rocephen. Good medicine, especially for the brain.
I never had an infection, but look for redness or swelling at the site of the PICC line. Actigall, yes.
Don't spare the alcohol wipes: keep your PICC line opening Clean! Find a plastic tray for you and your nurse to use and clean it with alcohol wipes.
You might cut off the wide ribbing of a cotton sock, to use on your arm to hold together the PICC stuff.
I enjoyed my time with a PICC line! I was grateful to have it.
Insertion of the PICC line was a breeze and done by professionals in a hospital.
Along with BettyG's suggestion, you might also do a search near the top of any page, for previous threads.
Search here for ideas about how to take a shower with a PICC line.
Congratulations!
daise Posted by daise (Member # 13622) on :
Oops. Rocephen needs to be refrigerated. They tell you that you can't lift more than five pounds or a gallon of water, with a PICC line--when it's in your arm.
You decide: Which arm? For me, since I'm right handed and since my right side muscles were in severe pain, I chose my left upper arm.
During this time I got diagram's of the very most basic exercises from a physical therapist who was very knowledgeable about neuro stuff. I did these at home and I'm glad I did!
These brought-up my right shoulder blade and helped with range-of-motion. It was also the very wee beginnings of strengthening my leg muscles.
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