posted
What is a port exactly? Can you lift weights and do aerobics with a port? Is it really visible so everyone looks at you like you have 2 heads? Do IV abx work quicker than orals? What is their benefit? Aren't they TONS more expensive?
Posts: 45 | From Crestview, Fl U.S | Registered: Feb 2004
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lymielauren28
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-------------------- "The only way out is through" Posts: 1434 | From mississippi | Registered: Nov 2007
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tdtid
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A port-a-cath is usually surgically implanted in your chest and then a needle to access it is usually put in once weekly and left for the week, depending on your type of IV treatment.
If you want to see what the port looks like with the needle installed, I have a picture on my Caring Bridge site. It's at:
If you go to the beginning of the journal, it gives the details on the surgical procedure. Mine is on my right side of my chest and whether I will be looked at like I have two heads......
well, you can check out the picture and tell me what YOU think. In the winter, it is usually very easy to keep it covered up.
As to whether it works quicker than orals...that depends on each individual person. I started with orals but when I lost too much ground, my LLMD referred me to a different LLMD that could be more aggressive.
Yes, IV is much more expensive than orals and the surgery is going to cost quite a bit too, which is why some will go for a picc line instead.
This would have to be a decision between you and your doctor.
As far as lifting weights....I was told not to lift more than 10 pounds with it, so how much do your weights weight? :-) The aerobics aren't usually on the top of the list for most LLMD's.
I know that before I got sick, I was very heavily involved in step aerobics, but haven't been back to it since my treatment started over two years ago.
You really would have to talk to your doctor though since I know that no two cases are the same. I do know that for lyme patients as a rule, weight lifting is always recommended, but not sure how the port fits in if you are talking HEAVY weights.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Well I will do everything possible NOT to do IV. What about surgery during Lyme. Taking abx for an extended period won't agree with BCP either so a tubal may be in order.
Posts: 45 | From Crestview, Fl U.S | Registered: Feb 2004
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
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One caution with surgery for lyme patients is that steroids are frequently given during and after surgery to prevent swelling / inflammation of the surgical site. That is understandable.
However, steroids can make lyme blossom if particular abx are not administer 48 hours prior, during, and long afterward.
I just posted about this at another thread and will come back with that piece of it for you.
More severe illness also results from other causes of weakened defenses, such as from severe stress, immunosuppressant medications, and severe intercurrent illnesses.
This is why steroids and other immunosuppressive medications are absolutely contraindicated in Lyme. This also includes intraarticular steroids.
. . . .
From page 12:
Excerpt:
. . .
More evidence has accumulated indicating the severe detrimental effects of the concurrent use of immunosuppressants including steroids in the patient with active B. burgdorferi infection.
Never give steroids or any other immunosuppressant to any patient who may even remotely be suffering from Lyme, or serious, permanent damage may result, especially if given for anything greater than a short course.
If immunosuppressive therapy is absolutely necessary, then potent antibiotic treatment should begin at least 48 hours prior to the immunosuppressants.
. . . .
Page 20:
. . . and absolutely no immunosuppressants, even local doses of steroids (intra-articular injections, for example).
. . . .
-- [Full document at link above. You can search terms there, too. You might want to search "exercise" and "rehabilitation" since you asked about that above.]
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
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This book, by an ILADS member LLMD, holds great information about treatments options and support measures. Many of your questions will be answered in these pages:
posted
I just ordered the book and something about the top 10 Lyme treatments. Thanks!
Posts: 45 | From Crestview, Fl U.S | Registered: Feb 2004
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In the winter, it is usually very easy to keep it covered up. 
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