I/ v antibiotics

[Gamum]

I’m about to start a 2 week course of self administration antibiotics , I work in a school and I have been told I should be able to have a normal day despite having a line in my arm, had anyone else had this , how did it effect your day to day life?

[Badbessie]

Obviously it would depend on where the line is. If it is in the back of the hand then it may cause a few problems. There is also the problem of ensuring the line into the vein remains viable. Tens days is a long time to expect a line to last and I feel that you may need new lines putting in.

[Gamum in reply to Badbessie]

Thanks , I have to go back to Papworth on day 7 so I assume they may change it. I’ve told work what’s happening, I guess I will just have to see.

[Spacecat1 in reply to Badbessie]

Could you maybe wear a loose bandage over it and tape the wire to your arm and long sleeved tops.or maybe one of those hand bandage the one with velcro fastening they sell them on ebay or amazon type in something like medical glove (,sorry cannot for the life of me remember the name of them I have them for my carpal tunnel. The velcro you can tighten it or have it loose. It might help keeping it covered over. Hope your first day back. Wish I could go back work but a wheelchair and oxygen probably not good in a class of 30+children lol good luck. Just being nosy why are you having antibiotics self administered.

[Gamum in reply to Spacecat1]

They are thinking that my sinuses are causing some of my problem , I had them operated on about a year ago, still

Getting a lot of post nasel drip , plus there maybe some bacteria they have missed in my lungs. I have bronchiectasis and another lung thing ( floppy tubes I call it). I’m generally well, I run etc, I just cough a lot and rattle like a steam train . I don’t tend to get many infections that I know of do get tired though. Having read everyone replies I’m wondering if I might need a bit of time off with the IV. , I’ll jusy have to see how it goes . X

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Gamum,

I had my last self administered IVs over Christmas and the New Year. I was glad I had a coupe of days at home as I was so unwell, before I went away to spend time with my family over the holidays.

They will probably put in a longline which is usualy put in around your upper arm - a canula would not last. The tubing with the port at the end you just wrap around your arm when you are not administering your abs and they will supply grip bandages to keep it in place and clean. Sometimes people have a pic line put in.

I am surprised you don’t feel unwell enough to work, certainly initially if you need IVs. You don’t say how frequently you will have to do them. The only problem I can see is if you have to do it 3 times a day. The 2nd is usualy about 3pm, so it would concern me how you will keep everything scrupulously clean at school. Otherwise if you feel well enough and don’t experience side effects then I don’t think there will be a problem. Don’t forget to pack your epipens if you have to do them away from home. Don’t forget the abs along with being unwell will probably make you feel more fatigued.

You will also need more time to get ready as it’s a pain washing hair and showering.

If you haven’t done them before you will normally do your first 2 doses yourself, under supervision, at the hospital as they need to check you do not react and feel quite confident.

There is lots of stuff to take home, so it’s helpful to have someone with you to help carry stuff.

Good luck and let us know how you get on - much better than being in 5* or waiting around for community.

BTW you would normally have a mid way check but the longine should last until your end check.

Love cx

[Mooka]

Hi Gamum

You soon get used to it. You will need some cling film to wrap around the tubi grip when you shower. Sometimes the line does fail but you should be able to ring the specialist nurses to get a new one put in. They won’t replace the line for the sake of it when you visit. I make up little packs of all the things I need for each injection. You could then take these to school with you. You will get wipes to clean the area first. It’s a pain but much better than being in hospital. Good luck xx

[Gamum]

Well I’ve had my first day of Iv antibiotics, decided to take tomorrow off work as I’m finding it a bit fiddly . Is it possible that they can have an effect so quickly, I’ve almost stopped coughing!!!!