just wondering...when you all are on the IV, which medication was it? My son (20) was on doxy for 12 months then we had to stop because he wouldn't sit for the 4 hrs. it took to administer. Is there another med that we should try, something that doesn't take as long? I'm beginning to think we shouldn't have taken him off, he's no better and doc put him on orals: Rifampin and Bactrim.
all bands positive in 12/09 RSMF no other co-infections all neuro, no physical
thanks for any help
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
My Invanz takes 30 minutes but Zithro can be done in 90 mins (I just started them 2 weeks ago so I choose to go slow to give my body time to adjust to it.)
Posted by Roger1700 (Member # 29719) on :
90!?!?!? ooops... been doing my Zith in 60...
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
It's OK Roger, Zith can be infused over 60min.
Posted by Roger1700 (Member # 29719) on :
Thanks, I had just looked online for info... it is tough on me... oral didn't do much if anything.
Thanks again Sammy...
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
I couldn't figure out the roller thingy that let's the drip go....my first zithromax went thru real fast. Now I have got it close to 30 minutes.... It was quite comical with the tubing flailing around.....gotta laugh.
Posted by Roger1700 (Member # 29719) on :
if you hang the bag lower it will drip slower... seems to work for me.. about 1 drop per second works out to be about 1 hr... 250ml bag.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Did no one tell you how to set the rate for your infusions? I would think the pharmacy would have made sure you have this information.
If you don't have some kind of pump or dial-a-flow regulator then you will need to calculate the drip rate to properly use gravity flow.
Check the label on your medication. You should have the dose in mg and the volume in ml to be infused. It should also state the time and the frequency, example "give over 60min every 24hrs".
Now look at the IV tubing package, it should state how many drops per ml (example 15).
So if the volume to be infused is 100ml, time 60min, calibration 15 drops per ml, your rate will be 25 drops per minute. You take this information and literally count the drops as they fall into the drip chamber and adjust the flow until you get the rate right, in our example 25 drops per minute. Does that make sense?
I really can't believe that they would send you meds to be infused by gravity flow with no instruction. Sorry guys, that's just not right.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
frikfrak, it's hard to guess what med would work best for your son. Your doctor should prescribe that based on your son's suspected infections, current symptoms, and his response to medications in the past.
If your insurance covers it, a good option might be Tygacil. It would treat your son's Lyme and RMSF.
Other options could be: Rocephin, Zithromax, Rifampin, Flagyl, Levaquin, Clindamycin, Merrem, and Vancomycin. I'm sure there are more.
Posted by Dogsandcats (Member # 28544) on :
Sammy, I agree.
The first time they sent me the one with the regulator.
Next time, the lady calls and says this one does not come with a regulator. Ok, so how do I do it.
She says, just hook it up to your port and it is set to run at the correct amount of time.
Noooo, it just ran thru. I did figure it out, but think she should put away her crack pipe while at work.
Posted by Razzle (Member # 30398) on :
I've received Ceftazidime, Doxy, Vanco, and Cipro via IV (not all at the same time!). I do best on Cipro or Ceftazidime (Doxy caused too much herxing, Vanco caused allergic reaction).
Posted by frikfrak (Member # 26844) on :
hi,
thanks for all the response.
We had the doxy IV run for 4 hrs. because that's what the directions say: 1 hour per 100 ml. I was just asking because when he wouldn't sit anymore our doc just took him off the IV altogether and put on orals, I was thinking that maybe since he's been sick for so long with zero improvement we should suggest to the doc that maybe IV is best, not orals.
he only tested positive for RSMP, no other co-infection. I know, all these medications and no better. We are very confused ourselves.
When he was first diagnosed, he was on zitho, mino, bicillin shots all to no avail for 6 months. Then he went on IV: rocephin for 3 months then doxy for 10 months. He's now back on orals but I'm thinking orals may not be strong enough and I wanted to see if maybe we should push for the IV again, only something other then doxy.
thanks
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Whatever IV medicine your son needs could probably be put into an eclipse pump. Instead of a bag hanging from a traditional pump or a pole, this would be a ball that your son could put in his pocket and walk around with. Maybe he would feel not so tied down with this option.