posted
My LLMD wants me to start IV Rocephin through a PICC line, but my wedding is in 11 weeks. Is there a way to hide it or get the line placed somewhere it won't be seen? Or should I try to get him to wait until after the wedding?
-------------------- Contracted Lyme 1999. Diagnosed January 2011.
"The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy." � Thich Nhat Hanh Posts: 64 | From North Carolina | Registered: Jan 2011
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- I'm sure the place where you got your gown would gladly help design something to help obscure this - or the person who made it - or a friend.
Your gown design will dictate the fashion & comfort remedy needed. A delicate shawl with loose arms to secure it may be just the answer.
You could also design a stretchy lace "sleeve" for both arms -- maybe even turn it into a formal sort of long glove effect?
While you want to look gorgeous, do not let the PICC line deter your treatment for any reason. Your life is more important.
One consideration is also regarding not getting this wet (showering; swimming) or even sweaty under the bandage in hot weather or from exertion in a hot climate.
You may not feel so great when on IV, but some people feel much better, actually, if they have the right support supplements, etc. You should plan for the best, or the worst, though. With preparation, even if you feel worse, you'll have a plan.
For instance, you may want to sit down for your vows, etc. Have some pretty chairs or stools just in case. Same for honeymoon sightseeing, etc. Flexible plans help.
With the kind of damage lyme can do, I would not wait until after the wedding as that would put it 3 months out. Your life needs this now.
I hope this all works out beautifully in all manners.
One note, if you are sensitive to lights. You can take some control of the flashes that could be all around you - but that will also take some advance planning and friends and family who know the importance of strict adherence to what will work for YOUR eyes.
Same with certain sounds, such as clicking glasses, etc. Advance planning. Create the environment and atmosphere that will make this a splendid day. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
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You poor thing! If you can wait for the picc, I would do that. It is such a nuisance and it is seen. But, I would ask your doctor if you can just have peripheral lines until the wedding - these are more temporary -a nurse can insert it and they last about 3-5 days. They are so easy. I did these for several weeks bc after a failed picc line attempt and 2 mid-lines which did last quite long, but then had to be taken out- I was tired and needed a break. So, instead of. Not finishing my iv treatmen with Rocephin, I did the peripherals. It is great bc when you need to get it out you can even take it out in one second- you don't even feel it and I am the biggest baby. Rocephin is the only drug that can go through a picc though.
Posts: 200 | From Boston | Registered: Sep 2010
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
In the big picture, 11 weeks isn't very long in Lyme treatment. There are other good drugs besides IV. I, personally, would wait. Lyme treatment is important .... but taking orals isn't the same as putting off treatment. I'd talk to my LLMD about waiting.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
I was also going to suggest peripheral lines until after the wedding is it being visible is a concern; I see that has already been brought up...good option, I think.
If you do go ahead with having the PICC placed, there are ways to hide it. I once was Matron of Honor in a wedding while I had a PICC, and although my dress was sleeveless, it came with a coordinating wrap that the wedding coordinator showed me how to wrap around my arms and tie behind me to effectively hide the PICC.
When my daughter attended prom while she had a PICC, I remembered the wrap trick, and when we bought her prom dress, we bought a wrap sold separately so she could incorporate that same PICC-hiding trick in her own look.
Another trick I used often was to buy ladies trouser socks in coordinating colors to my clothes, cut off the toe, and slide them on as a dressy sleeve to cover the PICC. In the nicer department stores, it's possible to find some really pretty, dressy ones. I thought they looked alot better than any premade sleeves sold expressly for this purpose.
Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I was the Maid of Honor in my sister's wedding with a PICC line. My dress was strapless so I did not want to do anything that might draw extra attention to my arm.
I wrapped one piece of flesh colored coban around my arm to cover the PICC and tubing. It worked really well, wasn't noticeable in any of the wedding photos. (I saw all 900+ photos...)
If you are in stable condition and not rapidly deteriorating neurologically, I would suggest waiting to start the IV antibiotics until after the wedding. You have enough stress right now. Allow yourself some enjoyment.
If you do have neuro symptoms and they are progressing rapidly then I would suggest getting the PICC line and starting IV antibiotics right away. 11wks will give you enough time to get through the herx and hopefully help stabilize you.
It's a hard decision. I never wanted to be on IV antibiotics. Sometimes they are necessary.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
We were going on a long awaited holiday last year.
I asked the dr what he felt about my meds and he structured it so I could go and be on orals.
I guess the question is does your doc know you are getting married in 11 weeks?
-------------------- 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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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Satya,
The reason I'm thinking I might go for the IV now is that, I've talked to several people who felt SO much better after 2 months on Rocephin. If you can feel that much better for your wedding, that would be fantastic and worth whatever inconveniences or fashion adjustments necessary.
Of course, I have not had personal experience as (although I got the Rx donated) I never had access to the other elements for IV.
And there may be others who did not have such a great effect as those I talked with as I was searching this out.
If you might likely to be on who feel SO much better, that could be grand. Simply grand.
I also think it could help you get through all this many months sooner if the IV could be done now, rather than waiting for 3 months.
Still, you'd have to bet on how YOU would respond.
The idea of a different kind of line has many advantages. If you are planning a honeymoon travel, you may be able to plan ahead for care at a medical out-patient clinic at your destination if necessary.
There may be someone from the local lyme support group who could help.
That way, you know all the bases would be covered. And it may free up your arm to enjoy summer, lessen bandage rashes, etc.
I hope the very best of experiences for you. -
[ 05-31-2012, 04:50 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Thank you everyone for your advice and support! It means a lot to me
I still haven't decided what to do yet but am waiting to hear back from my LLMD on his suggestions.
My condition isn't critical and I'm not deteriorating rapidly, but I tend to get worse during the fall and would like to get a jumpstart on the treatment if possible. At the same time, I would like to enjoy our wedding!
From what I've heard, it seems some people get much worse (herx) when they start IV's and some immediately start to feel better. Two months is enough time to see how I respond, and also enough time to possibly see some improvement. This is the whole reason we are considering starting now instead of waiting.
We are trying to plan the wedding as simple as possible (no loud music or dancing, earlier during the day, etc) so that hopefully I can enjoy it despite Lyme/FM. I wouldn't mind having a PICC or some other sort of line in during the wedding as long as I could hide it pretty well.
I am very grateful that I never lost the ability to walk and will be able to walk down the aisle on this special day <3
-------------------- Contracted Lyme 1999. Diagnosed January 2011.
"The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don't wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy." � Thich Nhat Hanh Posts: 64 | From North Carolina | Registered: Jan 2011
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