posted
Starting iv antibiotics wondering if picc or central line better. I'm optimistically hoping to get back to work but am a nurse use my arms for lifting.
treated over the past 2 1/2 yrs with oral antibiotics and supplements with LLMD--improved enough to go back to work for 14 months.
I pushed my LLMD to take me off antibiotics because I was doing okay and give my body a break.
Went off antibiotics for 4 months then... cognitive issues started in along with physical. Had to stop working again- cognitive issues are worse then physical.
Hoping a improvement with IV antibiotics
Any advice would be helpful
Posts: 109 | From Western Massachusetts | Registered: Aug 2011
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GretaM
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 40917
posted
Are you able to visit your docs office for a peripheral catheter?
If you work 4 on, 4 off... You could pulse IV 4 days on, on your days off.
Or, are you comfortable putting a butterfly in yourself every day?
I pulse on 5 days a week, with a peripheral. I mix my own IV's and administer them myself when I get home from work.
IV has helped my neuro lyme.
Posts: 4358 | From British Columbia, Canada | Registered: Jun 2013
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posted
I have a port and am so glad I chose that over a picc line. I can fully shower on the days the port is not accessed and it does not restrict my movements in any way.
I access my port myself now.
-------------------- Faithful
Just sharing my experience, I am not a doctor. Posts: 2682 | From Colorado | Registered: Oct 2009
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posted
I would not recommend a Picc line. My son and I both have a Hickman double lumen catheter, and mine has lasted me 18 months so far.
One line recently clogged, so I was able to use the other, and then I used a medication to flush out the clogged line and both are free again, so having two lumens has been helpful for long term use.
I am a jewelry designer, and do metalwork, so I did not want the risk of burning my line with my torch so opted for a central line.
Its been a good decision and no one knows its there so my treatment remains private.
Posts: 187 | From Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2013
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posted
Faithful said --- "I have a port and am so glad I chose that over a picc line. I can fully shower on the days the port is not accessed and it does not restrict my movements in any way.
I access my port myself now."
DITTO, for me on everything faithful said - I am SO glad I choose a port and would make the same choice if I had to do it again. I pulse my antibiotics so I am off on weekends. This means that I can de-access my own port each weekend and then have a full shower and feel freedom for two days a week!! I have had my port in for 8 months with no problems.
-------------------- Lyme, Bart, Babs D, FL1953 I am just sharing my thoughts and experiences - I'm not a medical professional. Posts: 69 | From Midwest | Registered: Mar 2010
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poppy
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5355
posted
How do you access your own port? Could you be specific? This sounds difficult to me.
Posts: 2888 | From USA | Registered: Mar 2004
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
Port any day would be my choice. I liked that I could pull the needle out and have a comfortable shower on the days I didn't infuse. The other thing it could be easily covered by a tshirt. I did not like the thought of the other type hanging on my arm.
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
I'm doing IM (intramuscular) injections right now instead of IV. I don't want to have a picc line for reasons mentioned so am trying to avoid it.
Bicillin LA turned the cognitive stuff around when orals weren't doing it. I'm now doing IM rocephin.
The only downside is you need someone else to give you the injections, (unless you're okay giving them to yourself, but I think it would be difficult). You might also have some pain at the injection site, but the pain fades.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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