HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Tips or advice for a scared kid getting IV antibiotics

Support Forums
>
Lyme Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/17/2016 8:35 PM (GMT -5)
I'm getting a port or picc put in tomorrow. I'm scared to death of the at home antibiotic treatment. I'm still dealing with vertigo from oral antibiotics, and then an herbal protocol. I detox hard. Epsom salt baths, tons of lemon water, charcoal caps, dry brushing, etc. I stopped the oral a month ago, and the herbs a week ago, so the vertigo has been going down, but I'm super afraid of it coming back intensely when I start the iv treatment. I'm scared in general. I have bad anxiety when it comes to people in my space. So I have a few questions.

What can I do to distract during the treatment (I can't read or write or watch things right now)?
How do I prepare for this?
Did you herx badly, or how long did you herx? (Ik its different for everyone I'm just nervous)
What got you through this?
And do you have any words of encouragement?

Sorry this is super long. I'm just kinda panicked.
Posted 3/17/2016 10:06 PM (GMT -5)
The only thing I can think of is music. Get that iPod all ready and if you don't have that, get a great cd made for you.

I have not been through this so I have no other advice.

I watched my daughter be administered chemotherapy through her picc line and she just listened to music or watched her favorite movie on one of those movie things - dv player I think it is called. More now days than my era. lol

Remember this: EVERYTHING new is scary. We are human and like routine and repetition. New is always scary. No one is immune from scary newness.

Tell the doctor or nurse you are scared. Be totally honest with them. Ask them to explain everything to you.

They will help you to be more comfortable, I promise. They chose that job because they love people.
Posted 3/17/2016 10:26 PM (GMT -5)
It's important to BREATHE when you're feeling afraid. We tend to hold our breath when we're afraid, which makes things worse.

Here is a simple breathing exercise you can practice before you have to go through the procedures:

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4717/Overcome-Fear-with-a-Simple-Breathing-Exercise.html

Good luck tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you!
Posted 3/17/2016 10:50 PM (GMT -5)
I agree with Kathie - when I have been going through my worst herx moments - I've simplified to watching my breath. Here are a few other tools.

EMDR works great
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55BLzhHBkVc

So does tapping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55BLzhHBkVc

and mindfulness is super yummy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64ZU2UCQdmQ

the experience you are going for is very traumatizing... this hug works really good when I need to calm down.
Around 2:40 he demonstrates.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZpZvxhk8Ew

If you are stressed, also - getting a ball you can squeeze and imagine putting all your fear and panic in it - then throwing the ball away from you. Repeat that a few times.

Also, sitting in a chair and finding one place in your body where you feel supported, and focus on that. Listen to your body and see how it wants to respond, and let it do that, gently. Then put your focus again on where you feel most supported.

Hang in there! You have the diagnosis and you are in the flow of treatment, that's huge!
Posted 3/18/2016 4:42 AM (GMT -5)
I have been doing IV Rocephin for 4 months. The nurse with the company that supplies it was really thorough with the sash technique used to administer it. I was concerned about starting it as well. I did not herx, get ill or anything. I planned to take the week off work but went back after 2 days. I am glad I did it as I feel better than before and it isn't a big deal, time flew by!

I was scheduled for 4 months of IV but still have symptoms (headache) so I expect it to be extended when I meet with LLMD next week. I feel like I should have cut my work schedule to help with healing, self employed remodel contractor, clients are stressful. Taking a lot of time off in April to kick this out of my system.

Good luck with your treatment.
Posted 3/18/2016 6:30 AM (GMT -5)
I have a massive, and I mean sedate me and hold me down, needle phobia. Clearly IV abx weren't on my agenda, but blood draws certainly couldn't be gotten around! That and the anxiety from the lyme and I was terrified outta my mind!!

I second the music, I had my MP3 player on with a bunch of happy, calming songs playing. Also I spoke to the doctors and nurses before hand and honestly they couldn't have done more to calm me and reassure me. It made all the difference!
Posted 3/18/2016 7:15 AM (GMT -5)
You've been given great advice already and I can only wish you the utmost success with your treatment.

Please keep us posted!
Posted 3/18/2016 8:44 AM (GMT -5)
Thank you all so much! I'm really trying to calm down before my appointment this morning. Thank you for the different breathing techniques! I'll look the, all over. Y'all are great!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply