Hi all, Its been a while since I last posted. I've finally decided to go ahead and do IV antibiotics. I'm getting a central line put in with the line coming out under my clavical (a picc I think, with the two plastic tubes, not a port).
I'm obviously a bit freaked out by this. I've had some pretty serious surgeries in the past and I'm sure this is no biggie in comparison.. however having stuff left in creeps me out.
Any tips or tricks that work for you? Since I'm getting it on my chest, at least I can still have my hot baths. And I've heard press and seal works well.
Is it going to hurt a lot? I'm a bit worried since there aren't any painkillers that don't make me sick.
Anything else you can think of that has made the surgery or just living with an IV more tolerable? I took a week off from work which hopefully will be long enough to adapt and get through the worst of the herxing.
The plan is to do IV rocephin, and then use antigall to prevent gallstones. I've been reading a lot. It seems like a lot of people that have gotten better have used either flagyl or tinazadole in combination. I've been completely unable to tolerate either of them even small doses. I've also been having problems with diflucan which I had hoped might work instead, severe itching is nearly as bad as vomiting.
I'm seeing that rocephin can possibly force the bb into cyst form so it seems like I need something to prevent that from happening.
Any thoughts?
thanks!
Posted by gael1111 (Member # 8816) on :
Sent you PM Gael
Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :
Hi!
It's late and I'm about to head to bed, but I wanted to at least give a short response.
First, if you're getting a chest line it's not called a PICC, which stands for "Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter" (it's not peripherally inserted if it's a chest line).
I'll check back in the morning and try to give some more information when my brain is a little more awake. If you know for sure what kind of line you'll be getting (i.e. if it will actually be a chest line or if it might be a PICC), let me know and I'll be able to give better information and advice.
Peace and healing, Annie
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Sounds like a double lumen Hickman catheter. Why the double lumen? You usually only need one tube coming out for IV antibiotics. Its harder to deal with 2 tubes and keep them sterile than it is with one tube. Ask the surgeon why?
I had a single lumen Hickman catheter that I home infused IV antibiotics for 9 months before it got infected.
As far as what to expect upon insertion. They put me out for the insertion, totally OUT. It was outpatient, and I went home hours later. Ask them to put you OUT, you do NOT wan to feel that, and I think the local anethesia is traumatic. It will be sore for a few days and you will probably go home with a big wad of gauze on your chest and bandages. It will be sore for awhile but you can start using it right away. You have to have an xray after to make sure it is placed correctly.
You will be taught how to keep the site clean, and how to do the infusions. Never breathe on the site, make sure the nurses use a mask.
Once its all set, you can store the tube under your bra, it fits easily, and you can hide it there. Ask the surgeon to cut you along your brastrap line so its easily hidden and the scar will be further to the left or right...trust me, it much niceer to look at for the rest of your life. Some do it in the lower neck. Its a little scar, but noticeable. I think a hickman is much easier than a PICC line and much easier to live your life with it. I hope it goes well for you, ask questions! Posted by burnbitter (Member # 7088) on :
thank you all so much! Thanks for the links!
And I will ask about the double versis the single line. I thought it was so that they could draw blood but I'm not sure.
Yeah it's a hickman I think. I definately don't want the line in my arm as I'm hoping to keep working, which means typing.
They are putting me out, but not fully under... I am not supposed to be aware of anything. Which is good as this totally grosses me out. And they're taking off a ganglion cyst at the same time.
Posted by burnbitter (Member # 7088) on :
so the aneathesiologist called today and I guess I'm actually going under general so I won't know anything.
My lyme doc isn't sure why the surgeon chosen to do the double instead of single, but is confident in his choices. Also I could be wrong about it being a double. I'll ask tomorrow at the hospital..
and blue cross still hasn't approved my infusion therapy they're totally over the legal review period at this point so if they don't give us an answer tomorrow then I have to pay out of pocket and give a deposit. If I don't hear by 1pm I'm going to call the department of managed health care from the hospital and see if they can't light a fire under blue cross. I know that at least they will get fined for it, though that may not help me. anyway, the home care woman is getting someone scheduled to come friday to help me get set up with the IV infusion and so forth.
my doctor seems very excited about all the drug options I will now have.
well I should get to sleep.
thanks for all your help
Posted by arg82 (Member # 161) on :
I hope the placement goes very smoothly. When I had my port put in I had conscious sedation so I was awake but very foggy and loopy. I remember bits and pieces of the surgery but nothing unpleasant.
They had a sheet up around my neck so I couldn't see my chest where they were putting the port. And every once in a while I could feel some pressure but it wasn't bad at all.
I hope whatever anesthesia you get will work well for you and that you can get the insurance stuff figured out soon!
Peace and healing, Annie
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
Hey there,
I want to wish you the best in your Hickman placement! It is your call about the single lumen, not the surgeon, its your body, remember that! Best to you!!!
Posted by burnbitter (Member # 7088) on :
done, in and home... was single after all my hand is bandaged from ganglion cyst removal so that distracts from the tube numbness hasn't worn out quite yet
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)