What to expect with IV Rocephin?!

 

My husband is under the care of an LLMD, all other antibiotics have not yeilded great progress, the next step is IV Rocephin.

 

I am very aware of the risks, my sister had a picc and developed a life threatening allergic reaction after 18 days, she had the line pulled. (feeling better though after 18= years).

 

My husband is 34 years old, and is a heavy equipment machine operator. (back-hoe) The dr. said he could have the line put in above the elbow to increase mobility. He also beleives he will be able to work while being treated.

 

I saw how sick and week my sister was, but her case was unique. Any one out there care to tell their story?

 

How long were you on it? Were you taking the gallbladder meds? Should we have his gallbladder scanned prior to the line?

Were you sick? Is it realistic to think he could work?

How often did you have the dressings changed, vitals taken, and bloodwork?

 

Any help would be very much appreciated. Sorry to meet under these circumstances. Thank you!

 

"Why did God make ticks Mama?", my 4 year old asked.

"I don't know honey, but mommy will be sure to ask God that question when I get to heaven."..."Me too Mama."

Thank you for your response. Even in your state, you took the time for me and my family. It means so much.

We do not have any details as to how this is all going to go down...it seems it is all about insurance first and then we will see. Please be careful of your gallbladder. Surgery is still surgery, and if you are not well it does not make it any easier. I pray for you everynight, as we pray for all of those affected by this disease....Thank you.

I had IV 2 1/2 years ago for 90 days. I became mildly allergic to it hives and an itch you could barely handle. They kept me on it and I took so much allergy medicine it made it tolerable.

I did work threw that time, no choice. I have a easy job it was still so hard and when I wasn't at work I was in bed.

In the end it helped so much I was almost all better. I took Amoxy for ever after that have been healthy for 2 years just had a healthy baby.

Decided when I wa done breasfeeding I would stop taking them since I had been good for 2 years. Bad Idea its all back.

Good luck to your husband.

 

I agree with lymekiller, it's definitely worth it. I started IV Rocephin in March and have not had much improvement yet but am still holding out hope. I had a few complications but if I can get my brain function back it will all be worth it in the end. Having the PICC line in and doing the daily infusions is not nearly as bad as I anticipated it to be.

So far I've been lucky enough to have my health insurance cover three months with 2 nursing visits per week for labs and bandage changes. They approved one weekly visit at first but I was experiencing discomfort and sensitivity so now the bandage is changed twice a week. For most, once a week is fine.

When I first started the Rocephin I experienced mild abdomen discomfort and the doctor immediately sent me for an ultrasound and prescribed Actigall. To be honest I think I should have been on the Actigall as soon as I started the IV's. It's probably not necessary for your husband to get an ultrasound unless he experiences any problems but I would suggest taking the Actigall as soon as he starts the IV's to prevent problems.

It's very important that he get weekly labs done and is monitored closely. It's also extremely important that he have his bandage changed every 7 days. If he does not receive approval to have a nurse come to the house, he can probably go to any local doctor or clinic and it will more than likely be covered by his insurance. This is what I was told anyway.

Whether he can work or not all depends on his level of functioning at this point and how the meds will effect him. Many people can work and many others were not able to work before they started the IV's.

I'm also wondering if your husband might be better off with a port instead of a PICC. I think I remember being told that I should not lift anything with the PICC arm above a certain weight (5 lbs. or 10 lbs.?). From what I remember reading, I think having a port inserted is a more difficult and extensive procedure but is much safer in the long run. Also, I have a friend who had a port inserted for chemo and he installs inground pools for a living and seems to be doing fine with it. Considering your husband's line of work, it might be worth asking your doctor about a port instead of PICC.

Also, just want to mention that I use a mid-line protector by Brown Medical for showering and it has worked out fine. It's a good idea to order two so that when it starts to stretch out and/or tear you have another one ready and available. I originally tried Dry Pro the day after the PICC was inserted and it caused bleeding which sort of freaked me out. The nurses told me this happens quite often and they discourage patients from using this type of waterproof protector.

I wish your husband all the best of luck and lots of healing.

Thanx for your posts...my sister had a picc in for 18 days, had an almost deadly allergic reaction to what they still aren't sure. maybe the oral zithro, or the rocephin, or maybe the plastic. She was in and out of other diagnoses for 18 + years, had two kids she passed it to inutero (don't beleive you can't). Through all this lyme has just about drowned our whole family. my husband was diagnosed last year when we were thinking, "hey maybe this is the root of all your problems too"...yep.

So beleive me, I proceed with much caution...

go to www.wildcondor.com  there is an amazing story to hear, along with a first hand account of sepsis from a pic line...

..oh yeah, very rare side effect from doxy is that your finger nails start to raise off your skin and they hurt a little...husband had that, but our dr, who is very smart knew it right away...just in case for all you on dox