After starting to backslide, my stomach is trashed.
I developed severe GERd and vomiting, which is getting worse after 2 weeks off abx-
I am getting a PICC today, as I can't take my meds orally-my LLMD thinks it's bart.
Any tips for the PICC care etc?
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
Hey Beths,
Get a waterproof picc line protector for shower/bath from DryCorp.com. I think they are $39.00 but well worth it compared to anything else similar on the market.
Go to the web and see how thay want you to measure your forearm and bicep.
If you think you are in between size alsway go for the smaller size and you can cut off strips on each end to adjust for perfect fit. If it ends up too small they will exchange.
If size is too loose it won't work.
Good Luck, the procedure is a breeze. I drove myself in and then home.
let us know how you did.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
IV antibiotics were the turning point for my husband.
Glutathione helped him minimize any herxes.
Get some extra picc line covers. The white elastic ones get dirty quickly. They can be washed, but the Infusion co is supposed to supply them. (we didn't know that until his last week of IV)
You are going to be fine.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
Make sure you flush like you are supposed to after blood draws and doing your medications.
Most nurses have told me to flush with saline twice after pulling blood.
If you get a nurse that doesn't seem to know what she is doing when they come out to change the bandage, give her the boot and call the nursing company.
I love nurses, but some have no idea about IV care of piccs or ports. You have to be your own advocate. If something feels uncomfortable, tell them.
Posted by Raquel (Member # 39644) on :
Hi - I am going to be getting a PICC soon, too. I have found some YouTube videos of Lyme patients using their PICC lines. It's nice to get an idea of what I'll be doing every day. I'm hoping a fresh post on this board will bring in more suggestions for you, so that I can see them, too!
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
A good nurse is key. My son's was willing to try new bandages and washes with his rashes. She knew some tricks to try also. I believe there was a list of tips started last year.
My teenage son did fine for the entire 10 months.
If I could do it again, I would have kept him on IV longer and I would have gotten a port.
He is doing bicillin injections right now which is so much more time consuming than IV.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Depending on the antibiotic, it can really effect your gallbladder. I know two people who had to get their gallbladder removed during treatment (one was on IV the other had a picc line).
There's a drug you can take to protect your gallblader. You need to start taking it before doing the antibiotics (I think it was rocephin that caused the problem).
I'm sorry, I can't remember the name of the gallbladder protection drug.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
Actigall. My husband still has his gallbladder, so he was put on Actigall to prevent problems. He had gallbladder sludge prior to having the PICC line and did fine.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
This thread above has a ton of info about how to care for your new PICC.
Posted by gmb (Member # 23562) on :
also google "infusion for lymies". its a 30 page booklet thats fun reading. Good info in an easy light format.
You may want to request a "betadine" bandage change kit. It seems to have the least risk of skin reaction with Lyme patients. Switch to this as soon as you start getting an itchy rash under the bandage.
I'll be on IV Rocephin for 1 yr next week. Gradual improvements thru the year with times at a plateau, then other orals changed or added. Just starting to really turn the corner.
gmb
Posted by Raquel (Member # 39644) on :
Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions. =)
Posted by trimom (Member # 25843) on :
As others have said be sure you get a good nurse. I had a nice women but she didn't know what she was doing.
She managed to push my picc line further in, left gauze under tegaderm, and messed up the attachment part. I felt something was wrong but the gauze made it impossible to see.
Went to my LLNP's office and they were able to fix it and fired the nurse.
Posted by tickssuck (Member # 15388) on :
If you want a super cheap, effective option (it was effective for me anyway), to protect it while showering, I just used Glad Press N Seal with paper tape. Worked great for me, stayed dry. Good luck. TS
Posted by beths (Member # 18864) on :
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)