posted
Hi--I'd be really grateful if you could answer a newbie's question.
My husband and I are looking for a LLMD who will prescribe and properly monitor IV antibiotics for him. We'd like to find out how it works to be on IV antibiotics when you have a Lyme doctor out of state.
This will determine how we'll feel about going to a non-local practitioner with a better reputation than local doctors. We seem to have a dearth of good, IV antibiotic using doctors in Eastern Mass.
Our great concern is what happens if there are problems with the PICC line that might lead to blood clots, sepsis, etc. Potential sepsis needs to be dealt with immediately. What happens if you can't get hold of your doctor right away? And what do you do if your doctor is a 2 or 3 hr drive away?
If you go to an ER, we assume that the full wrath of the medical establishment falls upon you for undergoing IV treatment for chronic Lyme. My husband is extremely sick, and being treated with hostility in an emergency would be awful.
If anyone could tell us how this works, we'd be extremely grateful!
Thanks
Posts: 431 | From New England | Registered: Dec 2011
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posted
My LLMD is out of state and she prescribes IV antibiotics and faxes the prescriptions to Infuserve in Florida. They just ship to my house.
If you have a problem with a picc line or a port, you call the nursing company who does your home visits. If they can't come out, they will tell you to go to the ER.
The ER is not that bad. Once in a while you might have someone ask what you are doing, but tell them it's none of their business. You are not there for a diagnosis, or opinion of your meds. Ask them to just fix your problem so you can go home.
The nursing company is monitoring you and after a while you will be an expert at what is going on so you will know if something is wrong.
Pm anytime if you have more questions. I have had a port in for 18 months.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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I live in MA and see a NP in RI and had a picc for 8 months. She ordered my blood tests, scripts, and any tests needed that I could do local or near her office.
I had no issues filling my prescriptions where ever I wanted. Some IV supplies my prescription plan would pay others I would self pay and shop around for price.
Most LLMDs do not have hospital privileges so if you have an emergency situation you go to the local ER and get help for the emergency. What you can hope for is your LLMD will be willing to talk with ER and advocate for you.
Good luck!
Having a LLMD or LLNP that answers the phone and your questions promptly will be a piece of mind when something arises.
Posts: 120 | From MA | Registered: May 2010
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Make sure you have another doctor, like an integrative/holistic doctor locally. They can support all other functions of the body that the LLMD doesn't cover and that doctor can take care of any local emergencies.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
Thank you both--this is really helpful! We feel better about the process now. It's a great idea to get a local integrative doctor.
Trimom, would you mind letting me know what your experience of the NP in RI has been? We're looking for another LL practitioner. And have you had any problems with the picc line and IV?
Good luck to both of you, Anthropologista
Posts: 431 | From New England | Registered: Dec 2011
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