Post from BethKelley24 - IV questions!!

Hi, Traveler,
I worked for the 8 months I was on IV antibiotics. I worked in a hospital rehab unit, as a speech therapist.
I pulled my stitches out once, probably b/c I helped lift a patient w/both arms. This led to the line slipping and needing to be replaced.
Otherwise, I didn't have many problems. Sometimes I needed to have quick access to a bathroom. This side effect was soon after I started IV therapy, and again whenever I switched to a different antibiotic; never did last for very long, though, for me.
I did not have any other symptoms except some herxing at first but it was not debilitating and I was able to work in spite of.
On days I had to do 3 doses, I just hung the bag in my office and did paperwork! I even had the home health nurse come to my workplace to do dressing changes, instead of my home (who wants to go home from an exhausting day and then greet the cheery nurse) once a week!
Do you have a "sleeve" to cover your arm so you can bathe? I was told "wrap your arm in Saran Wrap", but since I cant make that work on leftover food dishes, I sure could not make that work AT ALL on my arm. Dr. Brown's Medical Supplies online sells the sleeve, I couldn't find anyone local who did, but I just saw one the other day at KMart in pharmacy area. I replaced mine once, after about 6 months.
I don't know what type of work you do or in what setting. I told my boss about getting the PICC, and her only concern was whether it would be adequately protected from infection while I was at work; it had a sterile dressing on it at all times, so she was okay with that.
Good luck to you! Hope you do well and don't have any side effects!
Oh: I also applied for "Intermittent Medical Leave" from work, so if I had to call in or take a few days here or there, I would not be in a disciplinary situation for absences. I didn't take many days, but it was nice to have that safety net.

Actually all I did was move the post so that others that have gone through this could see it and respond to BethKelley24. I've never had a PICC line. Thank you for answering for her though!