Please Help Me Make a Decision!

Having a friend to go with you = priceless.  I know you've been having anxiety over the PICC line.  I'm not to that point yet, but I have a mini-phobia about needles, IV's and such.  I'd feel just like you do.

It's so great to have someone there for emotional support and help you with any details you might forget.

The hospital, infusion nurse and PA would all help if needed.  I wouldn't be surprised if the PA has more "hands on" experience with this stuff than your doc. 

Unless you're uncomfortable with your PA for some reason - well, if it was me, I'd definitely go when a friend could be there to help.

I agree that many PAs are better than the docs. Get it done and blessings to you.

Hi scorpio1960.  I agree that you should go ahead and have the line put in and have your friend go with you.  What dose of Rocephin will you be infusing?

Getting an IV line seems very overwhelming, but it is typically a very easy procedure.  I think knowing ahead what to expect can help you feel less anxious.  It does not usually take very long.  I found the steps listed below from Googling PICC line insertion:

How is the PICC Line Inserted?

1. A nurse may use an ultrasound machine to find the veins in your upper arm.
   
2. The nurse cleans your arm and covers it with a sterile cloth to prevent infection.
   
3. The nurse places a tourniquet on your arm.
   
4. You get a numbing medicine.
   
5. The nurse puts a small needle into the vein, inserts the introducer needle, and guides the PICC line into the vein near your heart.
   
6. You have a chest x-ray afterwards to make sure that the PICC line is in the right place.

You can also find videos of PICC line insertion on-line.  It also may seem overwhelming learning how to infuse, but it does not take long to get the hang of it.  The nurse will help you until you are comfortable doing it on your own.  The most important thing is to keep the site clean and dry at all times.  An infection can be dangerous.  If you ever have a question about your line, call your doctor or nurse ASAP.

You can get a sleeve to cover the site so you can shower without getting it wet.  It is called a Mid-Arm Protector.  One place that has these is Brown Medical https://www.brownmed.com/Products/StoreProductDetail29.cfm?StoreProductId=99 but I believe some pharmacies and hospital supply companies also have them.

You need to ask your doctor about which oral meds to continue with while you are on IV.  It sounds like you are taking a lot and he/she may not want you on all of them with the Rocephin.

Good luck on Friday!  Let us know how it goes.

Post Edited (ticker) : 2/24/2009 6:52:06 PM (GMT-7)

scorpio1960, you are welcome.  Two grams of Rocephin is in the dose for Lyme treatment.

You are funny saying your friend will need to take a Valium too!  Hopefully it will help you.  Sometimes things seem worse when we don't understand them.  Look at getting the line in as the next step to getting well.

Let us know how it goes.

Hi Scorpio1960,

Just something I thought I would mention.  When I saw Dr. C. in Tampa, he suggested doing a test dose in his office before having the PICC line inserted.  His thought was if you have a bad reaction to the Rocephin better to find out before you spend the money for the PICC line.  Just thought it was worth mentioning!

Good Luck, KO

P.S.  I would suggest having someone go with you if possible, I think it's a really good idea!

SeibertNeurolyme, 

I've always wondered how do they tell you have hypercoagulation?  What test do they run?

I've read that it is a common issue with Lyme, but I don't think any doctor has ever mentioned it to me, or tested me for it as far as I could tell.  Unless it is part of the CBC?

Thanks, KO

With severe hypercoagulation fibrinogen may be elevated. Quest or LabCorp can run this test.

A more specialized test is from HEMEX laboratory -- it used to cost about $400 but may be higher now. The test most used is the ISAC panel -- Immune System Activation of Coagulation.

http://www.hemex.com

Bea Seibert

Well, my appointment tomorrow to have the PICC line inserted has been rescheduled for next Wednesday. Due to a major plumbing problem that could not be taken care of until tomorrow, I really had no choice. I guess it works out well because that's the day the PA is back in my doctor's office.

I'm not surprised in the least at how I'm dealing with the thought of having a PICC line inserted (lol) and I'm sure I'll be just fine but I have become very aware of my inability to deal with just about anything at all. I become extremely stressed and overwhelmed over the slightest little thing. This has become much worse since starting antibiotics a few weeks ago and I'm starting to realize that I'm turning into a complete nut case. lol

The friend who is coming with me for the procedure happens to be an ex and he spent yesterday and today with me dealing with the maintenance people coming in and out of my apartment and scheduling the necessary work because basically I was incapable. In between my many meltdowns we had quite a few really good laughs at how bizarre I was acting. lol The slightest thing can now send me into a rage or an emotional meltdown where I can't stop crying.

He was really quite a trooper dealing with all of my outrageous outbursts, demands, attitude and meltdowns but when he left my house this afternoon, I'm pretty sure he stopped for a few drinks on the way home. lol I told him he should consider yesterday and today a test run and since he passed with flying colors he'll be just fine on Wednesday. Now we have to worry about me. LOL

I have been noticing a change in how I handle things since becoming sick but I always attributed it to being physically sick and also having cognitive problems that frustrate the heck out of me. Understandably, I also have felt depressed since going on disability but now I experience uncontrollable intense crying fits that pass as quickly as they come. Before becoming sick, I was always pretty much in control and now I feel totally out of control.

Has anyone else experienced this when they started antibiotics and if so how far into treatment will it begin to subside? Please tell me it does end. lol

Thank you all so much for all the great advice and for your support and encouragement. It has helped me so much more than you can imagine.

I'll be back after the procedure to give an update and let you all know how well I handled it and how brave I was (lol) - thanks to all of you.

Thanks Rich. I'm glad you have your wife to help out.

I definitely will speak to my doctor about this at my next appointment. I originally thought I felt this way because I was overwhelmed with the diagnosis and treatment but now I realize that it's much more than that and is probably due to the antibiotics stirring things up. The last few days I also have been sleeping a lot less even though I'm totally exhausted. At times, I feel as if my entire insides and brain are vibrating or shaking, which I never experienced before in my life. I never even knew what a nervous stomach was and the vibrations in the head are just so weird and scary. Up until this past week, I could barely pick my head up off the pillow and slept about 15-20 hours a day. Maybe because I'm awake more, I'm more aware of my mental condition. lol

scorpio1960, I am sorry you are having plumbing problems on top of everything else.

Have you been tested for co-infections?  Both Lyme and Bartonella can cause the rages you describe.

Lyme can cause emotional symptoms and depression in some people.  It is also hard to deal with so many symptoms and so many life changes from the disease.  Try not to be hard on yourself.  These things will get better with treatment.

Hang in there okay?

scorpio1960, when you have your picc lline placed make sure it is not agrivating your heart (palpitations). Hang out for a while, if you can lie down on both sides with your arm above your head. Basically move around, bend over, etc.
I had 2 picc lines to cause heart palps. The doctor will simply pull it out a couple of cm. That should fix it. But don't wait till you get home, it's best not to have to go back! I learned the hard way.

Good luck. You'll be fine.