posted
hi i havent posted in months , i have been on oral abx for 6 months and llmd is now saying i should try IV's. dr jemseks clinic treats iv lyme patients for 16 weeks on iv's i heard some of u say u did iv's for only 4 weeks. i am still working and may have to quit my job to do iv's . i work at caterpillar. how will the iv's make me feel ? iam currently maintaining well on orals with symptoms in my hands feet and back of head. not much side effects on orals . i would love to hear your opinions as the doctor has left it up to me to start iv's. i am hoping to do them for 4 months and go back to orals for a few months and be done and get off abx . peace, Jake
Posts: 22 | From raleigh nc usa | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
I did Iv rocephin for 4 weeks and worked during that time. The only thing I was told was not to do heavy lifting with the arm the port was in. Good luck.
Posts: 48 | From New Hampshrie | Registered: Jan 2005
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beachcomber
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5320
posted
I have done 2 rounds of IV treatment. The first was 12 weeks. The second was 16 weeks. I managed to work with my PICC line. Part job requires me to climb ladders and go into spaces that most normal people would say "no way am I going in there".
Talk to your nurse & Dr. about the limitations and about the hygiene of the PICC. Be specific about your work when you talk to them. They will explain what you can and can't do.
I did ok with work, but then screwed up one of my PICCs while doing a yoga position that I knew was probably not very smart to do.
You will learn what you are capable of. And, yes you will feel pretty sick some days. But, life will not stop.
David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
Jake,
It sounds like you have a relatively new infection. It's my impresion that IVs are more helpful in those situtions than in those that are chronic (like mine). What medication is being discussed? A lot of people relapse shortly after going off of Rocephin.
If it is Rocephin, you could proably go the IM route rather than IV. You probably would have to take it at least daily but whem dissolved in Lidocaine, it's not bad.
I have not heard of that clinic using it but many chronics seem to do particularly well on Bicillin plus a macrolide such as Zithromax or Biaxin. I certainly have. Not everyone can be OK with the IM shots but, for me, three quick jabs in the butt three times a week is FAR preferable to having an IV in my arm 24/7.
posted
I was on IV Rocephin for 12 weeks. There has been congenial debate on this forum about whether to have a port or PICC installed or "pulse" (is that the right term?) or shots. As usual, it depends on your personal preference and situation.
For me, a nurse came to my home and installed an IV in my arm on Monday morning. I infused twice a day Monday through Thursday on my own. It was my responsibility and privilege to take the needle out on Thursday evenings. That left me with no needle Friday through Sunday. I took advantage of that by doing regular things on weekends.
Also, no one at work even knew I was infusing because I wore long-sleeved shirts that hid the needle. Heavy lifting isn't allowed with the needle, but it can be done on the three needle-free days.
That was the option I preferred, and it helped even though my infection is chronic that I've had for 25+ years. I think it helped because Rocephin is known to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). I may request another 12 weeks.
Scott
Posts: 112 | From St. Petersburg, FL USA | Registered: Aug 2003
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
I personaly prefer orals. If you can hack them.
Posts: 10564 | From PA Where the Creeks are Red | Registered: Jun 2003
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