PICC Line Insertion/Starting Rocephin Tomorrow

I've answered your post twice and then deleted them both because I don't feel I'm qualified especially compared to the folks on here but since no one else is responding.... I started rocephrin through a picc line 5 or 6 weeks ago. Getting the picc line was no big deal. Doing the treatment didn't feel any different than just getting fluids through an IV. I have however had some pretty severe herxheimer reactions and have intermittently done rocephrin, doxy and azithromyacin because initially the docs thought I was having allergic reactions but when it happened with all three my pcp realized it was herx. This was the first treatment I received other than two days of doxy initially. I'm not under the care of a llmd yet, I go next month and can't wait to see a doctor that has a clue. Sounds like you are in competent hands and have already been treating your lymes so you will probably do better. It seems like I can tolerate the rocephrin for four days in a row then I get the herx. I'm currently taking a 3 day break and going to start back up tomorrow. That's the nice thing about the picc is you are in control. You can skip a dose if you need or do a partial dose (just don't finish the bag). I'm new to all of this so take anything I say with a grain of salt. Listen to the many experienced and knowledgeable folks on here. Give it a try. Don't be nervous. I don't really even notice the picc most of the time except I have to wrap it up to shower and a few times when I moved weird or plopped down hard on the bed it felt kind of "stabby" (medical term lol) inside. My joint pain has gotten a little better and my arms don't go "dead" on me every day like they were before the rocephrin so I think it has helped some, just the herx are bad but happen with the other abx as well. Hope it goes well for you and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Post Edited (WV Mike) : 6/4/2017 9:32:28 PM (GMT-6)

i was petrified to get port put in .picc is a bit easier. get some plastic covers for showering . pirouette talked me through it . it was admin via home infusion balls and i have been pulsing with bvt to many gains and many symptoms less. it is not a fix all, it may or may not hold bart back , species dependent . do keep us posted have your detox in place . are you going to take urisidol to protect your gall bladder ? its worth it ...forgot to mention that mike .

also if you take flaygl or tinidazole or alinia for cysts on day off it can be effective ..keep us posted godspeed your recovery

always interesting to hear when a doctor decides to go the IV versus oral route. I've been doing oral abx's for over 2 years and on my 3rd LLMD and none of them have recommended IV's.

there's also the position that recent research shows IV's are no more effective than orals unless you're doing it for neuro issues. i would think IV's would be more effective given direct injection into bloodstream.

Thank you everyone for the input and advice. You're support is priceless.

Well, it's in! Lucky me, the hospital ran out of single lumens and I ended up with a double which I'm not exactly thrilled about ...but it's in! It's so far up my arm!! The "good spot" in my arm was "higher than (the dr) likes to go" but that's where he felt it was best inserted. So it's very Awkward. The caps are almost at my shoulder. I tried to put the two sleeves on that I purchased and neither one would come up high enough to cover the caps. (Again, SO glad I have a Double!). I'm thinking maybe I can try to cover/secure the lines/caps to my upper arm with some lightweight gauze. I really don't want to go out around people with it uncovered and am worried about them catching on something. (Any ideas are greatly appreciated and welcomed!)

After the insertion I had 1g of Rocephin and that went fine, although it did make me tired. But I was already fatigued from the trip and the ordeal of it all. I've been prescribed 2g/daily, 7 days a week. I will keep it in mind to ask about cutting back/pulsing if it gets too hectic with the herxing (which I know I'll probably have as I have with every new abx).

I'm detoxing with ASG & glutathione, detox baths & charcoal. I struggle with the detox but the ASG & glut does work wonders for me if I take it 3-4 times a day for a few days. Thank you for the reminder. I'll start detoxing tonight!

Anyway the IV/Rocephin was prescribed for me after 7 months of orals for my neuro symptoms from what I understand. My LLMD had initially held off as I had thought I was allergic to penicillin (which was ruled out by my allergist).

I'm no longer on Flagyl as my stomach couldn't tolerate it at the time. However now that I'm off the amoxicillin I'll be able to get back on my probiotics more regularly and I may be able to tolerate so *Thank you bluelyme* for reminding me about it being a cyst buster. (I'm currently on Zithromax and Malarone so I guess I'm not on one right now - ?)

Oh - I almost forgot. I don't have my gallbladder anymore so no worries there!

I tape the end of my capped picc to the side of my arm just so it isn't loose and dangling. Keeps it out of the way.

YAY!!! Congratulations on it going so well!! Whew!

I hope that the rest of your treatment goes as smoothly as well!!

And, as Pirouette said, do let us know how you are doing when you can!