PICC lines require regular cleaning by a nurse, either in home or at a facility.This procedure should be taken seriously and adequate discussion and caution should be used when considering a PICC line with your doctor. They referred the prescription to their usual infusion provider (we didn’t know any better so let them). CONS: Not always covered by insurance, especially long term. Most common IV antibiotic used in Lyme disease treatments is Ceftriaxone, or more commonly known as Rocephin. Can be covered by insurance, at least for an initial period of time, though you should always read the fine print where insurance companies are concerned. Ports require regular cleaning by a nurse, either in home or at a facility. The tube will be threaded through the vein until it rests just above the heart.

IV Antibiotics for Lyme disease: IV therapy is when liquid substances (ie. The body can reject it. Ports are a good alternative to PICC lines when the patient has poor veins in the arms.PROS: A Port line will save you from constantly getting poked. Regular physical activity can still happen, but conscious caution of the PICC line site should be observed. Forget that I saved them almost $4000 with being our own home health nurse.TOUCHED BY LYME is written by Dorothy Kupcha Leland, CALDA’s VP for Education and Outreach. When Intravenous Antibiotic Therapy for Lyme Disease is not covered After a year and a half on the IV, I surprisingly discovered that Dr.'s in Connecticut were now allowed to PRESCRIBE the IV and infusion set to Lyme Patients without any repercussions to them as long as the patient had a documented history of having the infection.I took the prescription, found a local pharmacist (my "angel," as I call him) who was able to get the everything I needed for only $500/month – AND, he was still making a profit!Luckily, I eventually found another Lyme Specialist in Connecticut who helped me slowly transition off the IV without having such severe relapses by using highly potent, anti-microbial herbal extracts in conjunction with various types of oral antibiotics, but those memories of my "IV days" will ALWAYS disgust, alarm, and forever haunt me.I simply cannot believe how people in the medical industry feel that it is "completely fine" to exploit and profit off of such desperately sick individuals. Meyers cocktail, or Ceftriaxone) are delivered to the body via a vein in the arm, back of the hand, port or other methods. The Port can hurt initially and cause some discomfort while you get used to it. First time I got paperwork I thought they meant per month!

We live in a 20,000 person county in Wyoming and the local hospital oncology department put in the PICC. It is always best to have a professional opinion before you begin treatment, especially when considering other antibiotics and supplements that you may already be taking. A technician will use a numbing agent so there is no pain (just some pressure) and the tube will be guided through the vein with the help of ultrasound and/or X-ray. Wish I had stumbled last October when my husband had a PICC line inserted to hopefully help stem the symptoms of his long undiagnosed Lyme Disease. Can be covered by insurance, at least for an initial period of time, though you should always read the fine print where insurance companies are concerned. Infection and blood clots, while rare, are possible—close monitoring and regular cleanings should be practiced. Otherwise, infusions will be done at a hospital infusion lab or doctor’s office.IV antibiotics should always be used with care and consideration. Regular physical activity can still happen, but conscious caution of the Port site should be observed.
Each infusion with a Port will take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half and can be done at your own home either on your own (assuming you’ve been trained by your Doctor) or via a visiting nurse. The response I got was shocking – they informed me that it wasn't a possibility, as that was a "contract" they had signed specifically with HIP Medicaid, and thus, didn't apply to me.

I never wanted to be a nurse but life moves in mysterious ways and a bit of a nurse I’ve become.I went through something similar when after 8 months of going everyday to my Lyme Specialist's office to receive my daily IV Rocephin dose, he decided I had been on it "long enough" and promptly took me off of it.Two weeks later I woke up completely paralyzed, and had to wait for my mom to find me and literally carry me back to the doc's office to get the IV again.
About a half hour after receiving the dose, I was able to slowly move, open my eyes, and start talking again. The placement of the tube just above the heart allows for a quicker response time for medications and nutrients, etc. I am feeling desperate after having headachesLDO achieved Gold level: Committment To Transparency © 2020 LymeDisease.org   |   LymeDisease.org PO Box 716, San Ramon, CA 94583   |   Just stumbled onto the guide to managing PICC and IV infusion. There are equal stories of people regaining their life from IV antibiotics to almost dying. You should consult with a practioner you truly trust before beginning a regiment. Otherwise, infusions will be done at a hospital infusion lab or doctor’s office. If done properly, once the line is in and the initial discomfort settles, it shouldn’t be at all noticeable. Infection and blood clots, while rare, are possible—close monitoring and regular cleanings should be practiced. Over 427,000 people are being diagnosed with Lyme Disease annually. Will likely need a Lyme literate doctor to prescribe these.

It is a more effective way of delivering IV antibiotics into your body if you intend to be using them on a regular basis. Otherwise, infusions will be done at a hospital infusion lab or doctor’s office.