Home IVs for toddlers

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folione

New member
Our son w/ CF is 3. He's cultured pseudomonas and the Dr. said they'll let us do the IVs at home this time after a few days in the hospital to get everything set up.

I'm pretty happy about not spending time at the hospital, but if anyone has tips to pass along that might help me avoid unpleasant suprises at home it's appreciated.

thanks.
 
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anonymous

New member
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>folione</b></i>

Our son w/ CF is 3. He's cultured pseudomonas and the Dr. said they'll let us do the IVs at home this time after a few days in the hospital to get everything set up.



I'm pretty happy about not spending time at the hospital, but if anyone has tips to pass along that might help me avoid unpleasant suprises at home it's appreciated.



thanks.</end quote></div>

Is it the first time your son has cultured psuedo?

Charlotte<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">
 
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folione

New member
It's the third time; 1st culture when he was 15 months led to 17 days in the hospital but a bronch. at that time found nothing down there. November 2005 was the second positive culture. Each time it was non-mucoid sparse/+1 growth reported.
 
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3timesthefun

New member
A few days in the hospital, turned into 9 days for us. It took them awhile to get his Tobra levels to a therapeutic level. We then did another 2 weeks with the PICC line at home. It all went smoothly. My biggest recommendation would be: if he is on more than one IV drug have them time them so you can give them back to back. And then you aren't giving one every couple of hours. Good Luck.
 
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anonymous

New member
We are actually doing home IVs now with our three year old daughter. We keep a checklist (excel spreadsheet) of all meds and times on the kitchen counter. It helps keep us on track. I can forward a copy if you would like.

Unfortunately, not all IV meds can be given back to back. Samantha is on Gentamicin and Timentin and they have to be given two hours apart. The best advice I can give is to somehow manage to get a good night's sleep at least every third night. It's great to be home, but it's also exhausting to keep up with the med schedule.

Maria (mom to three daughters, the youngest, Samantha w/cf)
 
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thelizardqueen

New member
I just finished my first IV treatment in about 10 years. I did Cipro and Tobra, and they they were able to do them back to back. That being said - they usually ran for about a half hour to a full hour, so that meant 2 hours of IVs. The schedule is what I would be concered about with being at home, because I was having my Tobra at 6am and 6pm, and Cipro at 8am, 4pm, and midnight.
 
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MOME2RT

New member
I agree on the scheduling thing......Reece just got off IVs yesterday....YAY!! I was staying up til 12:30~1am to give him his last dose of Timentin. He was getting it at 6am, 12:30noon, & 6pm......then Tobra at 8pm. Plus ALL the other treatments in between. He adjusts soooo well w/ IVs...having a needle stuck in his chest for 21 days....what a trooper. Our hardest thing is not giving him a desent bath.....especially when he plays in the dirt ALL day long. (dirt from head to toe) I'll take staying up late over spending the night in the hosptial!!!!!! After a couple days you will get the hang of it and it will come second nature to your household. Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS~ Our home health nurse DID say we could give the IV meds one hour before or after the scheduled time...if we needed to.
 
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