First time with home IV

[Futant3]

Got some bad news today that Cipro and Tobi are no longer doing anything for my PA. Silver lining is that I'll be doing Cayston now, and I'll be doing my first round of home IV meds starting Friday.

Always done IV's in-patient so I'm a little curious what to expect. Do they usually use bags or syringes? Are the pumps any smaller than the hospital? Any tricks for hooking things up on yourself?

Also I'm still going to be working so I'm a little nervous about that. Anybody worked while hooked up? How'd that go with the employer and questions from co-workers? It's a desk job so at least that should be easy.

Thanks for any input guys.

 

[Futant3]

Got some bad news today that Cipro and Tobi are no longer doing anything for my PA. Silver lining is that I'll be doing Cayston now, and I'll be doing my first round of home IV meds starting Friday.

Always done IV's in-patient so I'm a little curious what to expect. Do they usually use bags or syringes? Are the pumps any smaller than the hospital? Any tricks for hooking things up on yourself?

Also I'm still going to be working so I'm a little nervous about that. Anybody worked while hooked up? How'd that go with the employer and questions from co-workers? It's a desk job so at least that should be easy.

Thanks for any input guys.

 

[Futant3]

Got some bad news today that Cipro and Tobi are no longer doing anything for my PA. Silver lining is that I'll be doing Cayston now, and I'll be doing my first round of home IV meds starting Friday.
<br />
<br />Always done IV's in-patient so I'm a little curious what to expect. Do they usually use bags or syringes? Are the pumps any smaller than the hospital? Any tricks for hooking things up on yourself?
<br />
<br />Also I'm still going to be working so I'm a little nervous about that. Anybody worked while hooked up? How'd that go with the employer and questions from co-workers? It's a desk job so at least that should be easy.
<br />
<br />Thanks for any input guys.

 

[Mommafirst]

As if your pharmacy can use eclipse IV balls. You won't need a pump and you can practically do an infusion without anyone noticing.

Good luck!!

 

[Mommafirst]

As if your pharmacy can use eclipse IV balls. You won't need a pump and you can practically do an infusion without anyone noticing.

Good luck!!

 

[Mommafirst]

As if your pharmacy can use eclipse IV balls. You won't need a pump and you can practically do an infusion without anyone noticing.
<br />
<br />Good luck!!

 

[LouLou]

You'll want to request the medications come in Intermate elastomeric self infusing devices. No gravity, poles, or pump is needed. You can see a video of me doing my home IVs on the video section of this site.

I do most of my meds in Intermates except Merrem (meropenum) which I mix (do not except it premixed!) and do in a bolus syringe. Zosyn I've used in an Intermate as well but I choose to use a 24 hr pump that clips to my hip which is hooked up to a bag that lasts 24 hrs. That drug is infused every 6 hrs and I find it too disruptive on my sleep to have to hook up that often.

Remember you can move your drugs one hour later or earlier each dose to help you get on a good schedule. Regarding working and doing IVs... I think this can be done if you are not full blown exacerbating with lowered FEV1 and sickness in general. If you are just looking for a little boost it should do the trick.

Just remember though you won't always be sensitive to these drugs so you want to make each use count. Also good eating, sleep and working out are all part of it. Do you have any help during this 14 day period? Even if it's just getting friends to make you meals 3x a week. You can ask one friend to organize this by email. Right now my family is receiving meals Tues and Thurs. for the month of July. A friend that doesn't know how to cook can come over and strip all the beds and do a couple loads of laundry, empty/load the dishwasher, clean your bathroom, organize your IV supplies...whatever helps you get through the day! Every little stress reliever helps!

Take care and keep us posted.

 

[LouLou]

You'll want to request the medications come in Intermate elastomeric self infusing devices. No gravity, poles, or pump is needed. You can see a video of me doing my home IVs on the video section of this site.

I do most of my meds in Intermates except Merrem (meropenum) which I mix (do not except it premixed!) and do in a bolus syringe. Zosyn I've used in an Intermate as well but I choose to use a 24 hr pump that clips to my hip which is hooked up to a bag that lasts 24 hrs. That drug is infused every 6 hrs and I find it too disruptive on my sleep to have to hook up that often.

Remember you can move your drugs one hour later or earlier each dose to help you get on a good schedule. Regarding working and doing IVs... I think this can be done if you are not full blown exacerbating with lowered FEV1 and sickness in general. If you are just looking for a little boost it should do the trick.

Just remember though you won't always be sensitive to these drugs so you want to make each use count. Also good eating, sleep and working out are all part of it. Do you have any help during this 14 day period? Even if it's just getting friends to make you meals 3x a week. You can ask one friend to organize this by email. Right now my family is receiving meals Tues and Thurs. for the month of July. A friend that doesn't know how to cook can come over and strip all the beds and do a couple loads of laundry, empty/load the dishwasher, clean your bathroom, organize your IV supplies...whatever helps you get through the day! Every little stress reliever helps!

Take care and keep us posted.

 

[LouLou]

You'll want to request the medications come in Intermate elastomeric self infusing devices. No gravity, poles, or pump is needed. You can see a video of me doing my home IVs on the video section of this site.
<br />
<br />I do most of my meds in Intermates except Merrem (meropenum) which I mix (do not except it premixed!) and do in a bolus syringe. Zosyn I've used in an Intermate as well but I choose to use a 24 hr pump that clips to my hip which is hooked up to a bag that lasts 24 hrs. That drug is infused every 6 hrs and I find it too disruptive on my sleep to have to hook up that often.
<br />
<br />Remember you can move your drugs one hour later or earlier each dose to help you get on a good schedule. Regarding working and doing IVs... I think this can be done if you are not full blown exacerbating with lowered FEV1 and sickness in general. If you are just looking for a little boost it should do the trick.
<br />
<br />Just remember though you won't always be sensitive to these drugs so you want to make each use count. Also good eating, sleep and working out are all part of it. Do you have any help during this 14 day period? Even if it's just getting friends to make you meals 3x a week. You can ask one friend to organize this by email. Right now my family is receiving meals Tues and Thurs. for the month of July. A friend that doesn't know how to cook can come over and strip all the beds and do a couple loads of laundry, empty/load the dishwasher, clean your bathroom, organize your IV supplies...whatever helps you get through the day! Every little stress reliever helps!
<br />
<br />Take care and keep us posted.

 

[mag6125]

home IVs are amazing, I hardly ever do in-patient anymore. I agree the Intermates are the best thing and I have gotten Meropenum in an intermate before and never had to mix. It probably depends on the dosage and your pharmacy/how often they deliver. I have worked/gone to school/etc while doing IVs with no problem. The intermates make it so convienent! The only problem I ever have is depending on my med schedule my sleep pattern gets screwed up. I usually end up finishing meds are 1 am and then get up at 8 am to start again, but of course that depends on your meds/how frequent your dosing is.

Good luck!

 

[mag6125]

home IVs are amazing, I hardly ever do in-patient anymore. I agree the Intermates are the best thing and I have gotten Meropenum in an intermate before and never had to mix. It probably depends on the dosage and your pharmacy/how often they deliver. I have worked/gone to school/etc while doing IVs with no problem. The intermates make it so convienent! The only problem I ever have is depending on my med schedule my sleep pattern gets screwed up. I usually end up finishing meds are 1 am and then get up at 8 am to start again, but of course that depends on your meds/how frequent your dosing is.

Good luck!

 

[mag6125]

home IVs are amazing, I hardly ever do in-patient anymore. I agree the Intermates are the best thing and I have gotten Meropenum in an intermate before and never had to mix. It probably depends on the dosage and your pharmacy/how often they deliver. I have worked/gone to school/etc while doing IVs with no problem. The intermates make it so convienent! The only problem I ever have is depending on my med schedule my sleep pattern gets screwed up. I usually end up finishing meds are 1 am and then get up at 8 am to start again, but of course that depends on your meds/how frequent your dosing is.
<br />
<br />Good luck!

 

[Futant3]

Thanks for the suggestions on the Eclipse and Intermate, those look like great ways of doing this. Now I know what to be asking for when I go tomorrow to set this up. Good video LouLou, that looks ridiculously easy.

My FEV1 bounces around high 20's and low 30's but I'm pretty good as far as functioning so I'm probably going to end up just doing some more of the chores on the weekend. Getting some help on the meals makes a lot of sense since I'm not very good about that anyway. Have to get more serious about cooking meals when I have time so that they are ready when I don't have time.

Brought it up in conversation with my friends and co-workers today so I'm definitely feeling better about their reaction.

Thanks

 

[Futant3]

Thanks for the suggestions on the Eclipse and Intermate, those look like great ways of doing this. Now I know what to be asking for when I go tomorrow to set this up. Good video LouLou, that looks ridiculously easy.

My FEV1 bounces around high 20's and low 30's but I'm pretty good as far as functioning so I'm probably going to end up just doing some more of the chores on the weekend. Getting some help on the meals makes a lot of sense since I'm not very good about that anyway. Have to get more serious about cooking meals when I have time so that they are ready when I don't have time.

Brought it up in conversation with my friends and co-workers today so I'm definitely feeling better about their reaction.

Thanks

 

[Futant3]

Thanks for the suggestions on the Eclipse and Intermate, those look like great ways of doing this. Now I know what to be asking for when I go tomorrow to set this up. Good video LouLou, that looks ridiculously easy.
<br />
<br />My FEV1 bounces around high 20's and low 30's but I'm pretty good as far as functioning so I'm probably going to end up just doing some more of the chores on the weekend. Getting some help on the meals makes a lot of sense since I'm not very good about that anyway. Have to get more serious about cooking meals when I have time so that they are ready when I don't have time.
<br />
<br />Brought it up in conversation with my friends and co-workers today so I'm definitely feeling better about their reaction.
<br />
<br />Thanks

 

[PinkPigg]

I worked a lot when hooked up. Thankfully I had a desk job and my employer was great. Sounds like things will be fine with your situation. If you're uncomfortable doing at your desk (or your cubemates are), some employers have a privacy room for breastfeeding mothers.

I've also done it on the way to or from work in the car and a whole host of places. Of course take the time to rest in the beginning and don't rush back to work.

Hope all goes well!
Steph

P.S. LOVE the Alex Grey avatar!!!!!

 

[PinkPigg]

I worked a lot when hooked up. Thankfully I had a desk job and my employer was great. Sounds like things will be fine with your situation. If you're uncomfortable doing at your desk (or your cubemates are), some employers have a privacy room for breastfeeding mothers.

I've also done it on the way to or from work in the car and a whole host of places. Of course take the time to rest in the beginning and don't rush back to work.

Hope all goes well!
Steph

P.S. LOVE the Alex Grey avatar!!!!!

 

[PinkPigg]

I worked a lot when hooked up. Thankfully I had a desk job and my employer was great. Sounds like things will be fine with your situation. If you're uncomfortable doing at your desk (or your cubemates are), some employers have a privacy room for breastfeeding mothers.
<br />
<br />I've also done it on the way to or from work in the car and a whole host of places. Of course take the time to rest in the beginning and don't rush back to work.
<br />
<br />Hope all goes well!
<br />Steph
<br />
<br />P.S. LOVE the Alex Grey avatar!!!!!

 

[Futant3]

^^Thanks, got introduced to him through Tool and really enjoy his work.

Well I didn't end up getting the Eclipse or Intermates. Instead got a little spring loaded thing that you put syringes in which is still reasonably small and easy to use. Also got great news on the scheduling, doing doses 12 hours apart so I'm not having to do it at work at all.

Things are good so far.

 

[Futant3]

^^Thanks, got introduced to him through Tool and really enjoy his work.

Well I didn't end up getting the Eclipse or Intermates. Instead got a little spring loaded thing that you put syringes in which is still reasonably small and easy to use. Also got great news on the scheduling, doing doses 12 hours apart so I'm not having to do it at work at all.

Things are good so far.