I need the drugs, but do I have to stay?!

J

Jeana

New member
<P>Every time I go into the hospital for IV drugs, my doc makes me stay for at least a week.   I know that in other places many don't even check into the hospital.  We have no place to get PICC lines placed out patient, so I would at least have to stay overnight.  I know my doc lets those who live in town leave the next day.  I am only 3 hours away and I have a hospital in my town, but they don't place PICCs.  Any suggestions on how to convince my doc that I should be able to check out the next day and do home IV.  I would come back if there were problems...  </P>
<P>I know I need the meds, because I've had increased cough/mucous production and my PA is not receptive to oral antibiotics.  It's just highly expensive (day care) and inconvenient, because my husband works long hours (at work before day care opens and off work after day care closes) for me to be in the hospital.  And I'm not sick enough that I need to be in bed, every day I walk 1.5 miles and run 0.5 miles.  Anyway, bring on the arguments to take to my doctor.</P>
 
J

Jeana

New member
<P>Every time I go into the hospital for IV drugs, my doc makes me stay for at least a week. I know that in other places many don't even check into the hospital. We have no place to get PICC lines placed out patient, so I would at least have to stay overnight. I know my doc lets those who live in town leave the next day. I am only 3 hours away and I have a hospital in my town, but they don't place PICCs. Any suggestions on how to convince my doc that I should be able to check out the next day and do home IV. I would come back if there were problems... </P>
<P>I know I need the meds, because I've had increased cough/mucous production and my PA is not receptive to oral antibiotics. It's just highly expensive (day care) and inconvenient, because my husband works long hours (at work before day care opens and off work after day care closes) for me to be in the hospital. And I'm not sick enough that I need to be in bed, every day I walk 1.5 miles and run 0.5 miles. Anyway, bring on the arguments to take to my doctor.</P>
 
J

Jeana

New member
<P><BR>Every time I go into the hospital for IV drugs, my doc makes me stay for at least a week. I know that in other places many don't even check into the hospital. We have no place to get PICC lines placed out patient, so I would at least have to stay overnight. I know my doc lets those who live in town leave the next day. I am only 3 hours away and I have a hospital in my town, but they don't place PICCs. Any suggestions on how to convince my doc that I should be able to check out the next day and do home IV. I would come back if there were problems... </P>
<P>I know I need the meds, because I've had increased cough/mucous production and my PA is not receptive to oral antibiotics. It's just highly expensive (day care) and inconvenient, because my husband works long hours (at work before day care opens and off work after day care closes) for me to be in the hospital. And I'm not sick enough that I need to be in bed, every day I walk 1.5 miles and run 0.5 miles. Anyway, bring on the arguments to take to my doctor.</P>
 
J

Jana

New member
Sorry to hear you're in the hospital, Jeana. Personally, I always just pester to get out but can't say it's always worked for me. Did you tell the doctor about how difficult it is with your husband's work schedule and day care? You might try the concern about hospitals being such a great place to find bugs.

Hope you're home soon!
 
J

Jana

New member
Sorry to hear you're in the hospital, Jeana. Personally, I always just pester to get out but can't say it's always worked for me. Did you tell the doctor about how difficult it is with your husband's work schedule and day care? You might try the concern about hospitals being such a great place to find bugs.

Hope you're home soon!
 
J

Jana

New member
Sorry to hear you're in the hospital, Jeana. Personally, I always just pester to get out but can't say it's always worked for me. Did you tell the doctor about how difficult it is with your husband's work schedule and day care? You might try the concern about hospitals being such a great place to find bugs.
<br />
<br />Hope you're home soon!
 
D

Deb

Guest
I live three hours from my CF clinic as well. Fortunately I have been able to get PICC's placed at my local hospital on an out-patient basis. I know sometimes they like me to stay for the first dose of meds, but other than that I do it all at home. I would discuss the personal issues with your doctor as well as the fact that you run a higher risk of infection in the hospital than at home. Although I must admit, if you have young children you will get more rest in the hospital than at home.
I would argue that the stress of childcare difficulties and expenses makes it difficult to be 3 hours away in a hospital. Good luck.
 
D

Deb

Guest
I live three hours from my CF clinic as well. Fortunately I have been able to get PICC's placed at my local hospital on an out-patient basis. I know sometimes they like me to stay for the first dose of meds, but other than that I do it all at home. I would discuss the personal issues with your doctor as well as the fact that you run a higher risk of infection in the hospital than at home. Although I must admit, if you have young children you will get more rest in the hospital than at home.
I would argue that the stress of childcare difficulties and expenses makes it difficult to be 3 hours away in a hospital. Good luck.
 
D

Deb

Guest
I live three hours from my CF clinic as well. Fortunately I have been able to get PICC's placed at my local hospital on an out-patient basis. I know sometimes they like me to stay for the first dose of meds, but other than that I do it all at home. I would discuss the personal issues with your doctor as well as the fact that you run a higher risk of infection in the hospital than at home. Although I must admit, if you have young children you will get more rest in the hospital than at home.
<br />I would argue that the stress of childcare difficulties and expenses makes it difficult to be 3 hours away in a hospital. Good luck.
 
B

Brad

New member
Jeana,
I think every Doc has his/her own idea on how to handle IV meds.
Try getting Your Doc to take the time to sit and Talk with You, Sometimes
that is the Key, They are SO busy that sometimes don't really hear You..

When I have had IV meds I am In the hospital and feeling crappy ,So staying in is ok with me.
But I have been on Home/Work IV's, I just got a new IV site every 3 days..

As long as you are not beat down and can keep up with home IVs and all of Your Other
Meds and Treatments there should be no real problem getting them.
I went to a local Clinic that did IV infusions of all types to have a new IV, saline Lock put in.

The Key is Getting Your Doc to Listen to You.

TO Deb, Have we met ?? I see you had a Left Lung pneumonectomy also. I had mine
11/5/91 still kicking...
 
B

Brad

New member
Jeana,
I think every Doc has his/her own idea on how to handle IV meds.
Try getting Your Doc to take the time to sit and Talk with You, Sometimes
that is the Key, They are SO busy that sometimes don't really hear You..

When I have had IV meds I am In the hospital and feeling crappy ,So staying in is ok with me.
But I have been on Home/Work IV's, I just got a new IV site every 3 days..

As long as you are not beat down and can keep up with home IVs and all of Your Other
Meds and Treatments there should be no real problem getting them.
I went to a local Clinic that did IV infusions of all types to have a new IV, saline Lock put in.

The Key is Getting Your Doc to Listen to You.

TO Deb, Have we met ?? I see you had a Left Lung pneumonectomy also. I had mine
11/5/91 still kicking...
 
B

Brad

New member
<br /> Jeana,
<br /> I think every Doc has his/her own idea on how to handle IV meds.
<br /> Try getting Your Doc to take the time to sit and Talk with You, Sometimes
<br /> that is the Key, They are SO busy that sometimes don't really hear You..
<br />
<br /> When I have had IV meds I am In the hospital and feeling crappy ,So staying in is ok with me.
<br /> But I have been on Home/Work IV's, I just got a new IV site every 3 days..
<br />
<br /> As long as you are not beat down and can keep up with home IVs and all of Your Other
<br /> Meds and Treatments there should be no real problem getting them.
<br /> I went to a local Clinic that did IV infusions of all types to have a new IV, saline Lock put in.
<br />
<br /> The Key is Getting Your Doc to Listen to You.
<br />
<br /> TO Deb, Have we met ?? I see you had a Left Lung pneumonectomy also. I had mine
<br /> 11/5/91 still kicking...
 
C

carmick

New member
Be sure to stress how very compliant you would be at home, not just with the meds, but with the prescribed rest. Quite frankly it sounds like you won't be doing much of this if you are running around after two small kids. Can they go to day care at least a couple of days per week to take some stress off of you/show your doc that you will take just as good care of yourself at home as they would in the hospital? When I was in grad school my doc would intentionally keep me in for most of a 2-3 week course of antibiotics. I had a history of being very compliant and always doing my treatments, but he knew that my version of "compliance" would include me carrying a backpack full of eclipse balls to class, my internship, and late nights in the library. Your doc needs to understand that being home will not in any way negatively impact your health.
 
C

carmick

New member
Be sure to stress how very compliant you would be at home, not just with the meds, but with the prescribed rest. Quite frankly it sounds like you won't be doing much of this if you are running around after two small kids. Can they go to day care at least a couple of days per week to take some stress off of you/show your doc that you will take just as good care of yourself at home as they would in the hospital? When I was in grad school my doc would intentionally keep me in for most of a 2-3 week course of antibiotics. I had a history of being very compliant and always doing my treatments, but he knew that my version of "compliance" would include me carrying a backpack full of eclipse balls to class, my internship, and late nights in the library. Your doc needs to understand that being home will not in any way negatively impact your health.
 
C

carmick

New member
Be sure to stress how very compliant you would be at home, not just with the meds, but with the prescribed rest. Quite frankly it sounds like you won't be doing much of this if you are running around after two small kids. Can they go to day care at least a couple of days per week to take some stress off of you/show your doc that you will take just as good care of yourself at home as they would in the hospital? When I was in grad school my doc would intentionally keep me in for most of a 2-3 week course of antibiotics. I had a history of being very compliant and always doing my treatments, but he knew that my version of "compliance" would include me carrying a backpack full of eclipse balls to class, my internship, and late nights in the library. Your doc needs to understand that being home will not in any way negatively impact your health.
 
S

StraitLife

New member
Jeana,
We live close to 4 hours away from our CF center, so I understand how you feel about the inconvenience of being away from family. We always had to stay several days, then they let us go home and I took care of Brady. During one of our stays for IV antibiotic I asked why we had to stay at all--since I am very familiar with taking care of Brady's PICC. The nurse told me that they had to draw blood every so often when they first start this certain med to make sure they have the levels correct. I don't know if this pertains to your situation at all, it is just what I was told and at the time it made sense. :)
Wendy
 
S

StraitLife

New member
Jeana,
We live close to 4 hours away from our CF center, so I understand how you feel about the inconvenience of being away from family. We always had to stay several days, then they let us go home and I took care of Brady. During one of our stays for IV antibiotic I asked why we had to stay at all--since I am very familiar with taking care of Brady's PICC. The nurse told me that they had to draw blood every so often when they first start this certain med to make sure they have the levels correct. I don't know if this pertains to your situation at all, it is just what I was told and at the time it made sense. :)
Wendy
 
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