Ok, I am doing rocephin, 2 grams, every 12 hours for 4 consec days.
Should I be using the heparin flush both times? Twice a day? Or is that too much heparin?
Is it ok to use just the saline flushes and heparin after the evening dosage
[ 11-04-2014, 09:04 PM: Message edited by: Lymetoo ]
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Jenny .. I edited your subject line to include "IV" so that perhaps those with IV knowledge will come to your aid.
I only took heparin by itself for hypercoagulation. I don't know anything about using it for IV, but I thought in the IV it has very little effect on your body and should be flushed each time. Don't count on my "info" though!
Posted by jlcd1 (Member # 18138) on :
Both times I did IV, once for 2 months of rocephin and then 3 months of doxy, I flushed with both saline and heparin every time after the dose of IV abx. I think on days off I did it once a day just to keep the line clear.
Posted by jennyfromtheblock (Member # 43805) on :
jlcd
did you do two infusions a day? I have heard so many different things. Nurse was concerned that two heparin flushes a day may be a lot.
Seems that different hospitals do different things? All saline, or both saline/ heparin
On my days off I do a saline/ hep flush only
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Doesn't it help prevent blood clots? What does your doctor say to do?
Posted by jennyfromtheblock (Member # 43805) on :
lymetoo, that's just the thing. I have two dueling doctors right now. My llmd and my primary who also treats lyme.
My llmd wants me on 2 grams every 12 hrs for 4 consec days. asked my pcp to prescribe that. Except the pcp usually prescribes 2 grams daily.
Involving the pcp was a mistake. The office is very disorganized, and I can't get anyone to call me back.
Its been a nightmare. I trust my llmd and he has gotten me so this far. I will follow what he says. I am going to be in his office today,and I will talk to the nurse about it.
I will see what they say about the heparin.
Since the meds were delivered I have been taking them the way the llmd wanted. except it leaves me short a dose.
Posted by tickbite666 (Member # 43399) on :
I did IV rosephin 2x/day 4 days on 3 days off.
IV is done under SASH rules. Saline, ABX, Saline, then Heparin. So do Heparin 2x/day.
On the three days off, I did a saline flush, then a heparin lock once a day.
I would have the supplier check your prescribed dosage. I started out with IV Rocephin 1x/day everyday. Then after a month or so changed to 2x/day for 4 days on and 3 days off. The difference is 7 vs 8 doses. So that's why you are short one dose. Home infusion suppliers make mistakes so always check your weekly delivery.
Posted by jennyfromtheblock (Member # 43805) on :
tickbite....oh no, it wasn't the suppliers mistake. It was me choosing to take the meds the way the llmd who has been treating me all along, wanted me to. Not the dr who prescribed and hasn't had the decency to return my phone calls
fingers crossed I'll get this all straightened out today
Posted by GretaM (Member # 40917) on :
I did 4g rocephin once daily.
I flushed saline before the abx, and heparin afterwards.
I normally did this in the evening.
So every morning I would do another heparin flush.
So 2 heparin flushes a day.
I think it was 1000 IU per mL. I did 5mL heparin plus 5mL saline in each flush.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
Even twice a day, that is still not a lot of heparin. Some think it helps with the hypercoagulation caused by chronic infection, and in larger amounts than you are using.
Posted by jennyfromtheblock (Member # 43805) on :
thanks everyone. Original LLMD is taking over again with everything. I am more comfortable with this.
He also told me that yes, a larger dose of heparin is fine, and it is actually really good with helping with chronic fatigue.
I am glad that I got everything settled today. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted! I was so stressed with things up in the air
Posted by Maia_Azure (Member # 44330) on :
I always flush with saline before antibiotic, then after, then heparin to lock the line to prevent clots each time I treat.
Posted by faithful777 (Member # 22872) on :
You should always use heparin when you are done infusing even if you infuse twice a day.