Well, I have moved to FL temporarily to live with my parents so I can get IV meds.
I saw an LLMD here, and he was very knowledgeable. He would like to start me with a peripheral IV, and Invanz (also called Ertapenem) daily for 4 weeks, along with alternating cyst busters, then I go back to see him to make sure I'm doing OK.
Has anyone had experience with Invanz?
I have searched on here and found a little info, but not a ton. I would appreciate any feedback or experience on this medication.
Thanks so much, V
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
I am in the same situation and will be started on Invanz soon. When do you start? I am now on doxy and flagyl or tini. Pm me if you need more details.
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
V,
Please think about asking for the PICC line. It is sooo much easier. The peripheral IV has to be changed (meaning restuck and new position) every 3-4 days.
I started with a peripheral IV, but the nurse was nice enough to let me know I didn't have good veins. She told me after about 4 times, I wouldn't have any veins left.
Just a thought, S
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
Plus, the home nurse will have to come see you more often, meaning more $$$ if that is an issue. For me it was another reason to change.
Posted by RESOLVED. (Member # 24991) on :
VB, pm'd you.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
VB- I have been treating for some time. This is the first med. (Invanz) that i have had some improvement with. It is easy to tolerate and progress is slow and steady.
Good Luck.....Oh the PICC is much easier than the PIV...IF it is placed at the inner bicep....
any questions feel free to PM me...i see your doctor.
Posted by LSG Scott (Member # 21624) on :
just be careful if you have brain lesions you shold not take Invanz as it can cause seizures in this group.
Posted by VB (Member # 16824) on :
Thank you all so much for the help!!
I don't have brain lesions, fortunately, but thank you for the warning LSG.
My veins are abnorally huge so I think I'll be OK on peripheral to start, but if it seems to become an issue I will definitely keep all of the suggestions on the picc line in mind. I would like to do sauna still if possible, and he belives I can do it with the peripheral port. We'll see... don't want to push it.
I am very glad to hear about success with Invanz. I visited another well-known LLMD in MO prior to moving to TX and he recommended Primaxin, which I have read is a very close relative to Invanz, so all of this is making me feel really positive about starting Invanz.
Karen, I will probably start on Invanz in about a week. Since Dr C is not covered by my insurance, we're going to see if my PCP here will set up the IV, order the home health agency, etc. If he won't, it will probably take another week for me to have Dr C's nurse do it. When are you starting? How has tini been for you? I will be taking 1500mg of it, which is about twice as much Flagyl as I am used to taking, and Flagyl was really hard for me at first.
Thanks again for the comments and PM's!!!
God Bless, V
Posted by LSG Scott (Member # 21624) on :
BTW just to let you know Invanz also comes in IM Shots so you dont really even need an IV to take Invanz
good luck with it
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
Scott, I would prefer the shots but the doctor thinks the shots are painful. What is your experience?
Also I have to start on tiny dosage the first days and obviously there is no small dose shot and I have to discard the rest of the shot. Any other ideas? How much is it per shot?
Posted by karenl (Member # 17753) on :
to VB:
Tini was ok for me. I took 500 mg twice a day. Had bad headache on day three and day four in the area of the brain where the bugs are. I started with 250 twice a day to avoid bad herxes.
I was on 1500 flagyl, was about the same for me.
Both helped me a lot and caused headaches in the beginning. Now starting alinia.
I think my invance is put off for some weeks as the shots are not available in tiny dosage. I need to start with very tiny dosage at least the first week. Are you doing better?
The huge veins can be from chlamydia or bartonella - not good.