TE TROUBLE

I would try this for holding the extensions for the PICC line - with a clean, new sock.  Maybe put the extensions into a clean ziplock bag first, then put into the sock holder you made out of your awesome sock?

how long have y'all been on vanc? What determines length you're on it? Does it make you feel flushed after getting it? I'm keeping a headache, not sure where it's coming from? 

SpecialK ....that looks like the perfect solution. With potential for lots of options if I have to live with this for a period of time!!!

how long do you stay on vanco? He told me today if be here most of week but he thinks he sees a glimmer of hope that we will be Able to save my right expander now. However the culture will be determing factor there. It should be in Tuesday. Does the picc line get less tender as time goes on? It's so tender & in awkward spot so hard to get that arm comfy. 

Lisa, you won't even feel the PICC soon. There is a little soreness the first day because of the two sutures needed to keep it in place, but it goes away quickly. The dressing covers the sutures so it's not like a drain suture that can be pulled on and irritated. With a PICC, you don't get the kind of problems that cause a regular IV to get irritated and need to come out. You can keep a PICC line a year. The nurses should give you a white mesh sleeve to cover it. You can buy patterned fancy sleeves if you have it for chemo.

My skin is very sensitive so each week when they change the dressing, they move it around to give the skin some breathing time. There is a clear film they can "paint" on your skin that forms a barrier so the adhesive in the dressing doesn't bother your skin. Ask for it. It's commonly used for burn patients but the PICC nurses should be able to get it for you. I get red around the edges of the dressing.

I've had IV Vanc a minimum of 10 days (this surgery - #4) and a maximum of 31 days beginning on day 3 of the infection after surgery #1 and continuing for 11 days until surgery #2 to remove the dead tissue, then 20 more days after. It doesn't cause any flushed feeling or headache, but with an infection, those things can happen. Tell your nurse. I find that IV Tylenol works really well in the hospital. It's better than tablets at home. I would have had Vanc longer than 31 days - the plan was one more week - but my blood levels jumped from 9-10 to 34 and I had to come off of it at 31 days. I haven't had a similar problem since then when I've been on it.

I was in the hospital for 7 days, then sent home for 7 days with IV Vanc before returning for the second surgery. Stayed 4 days after that surgery.

other 2 meds are diflucan & I'm trying to find out other. Got 85 ccs yesterday so that's more hav I've been getting but it's looking a little lighter. Has some bright red blood stringy in it now that wasn't there before. I haven't seen dr yet this morning so I'm anxious to hear what they say. Thank y'all for your info. 

yeah my 1st 2 drains was all blood and some stringy stuff, this drain this time is different. I strip it often to help with clogging. I'm for whatever reason getting more fluid now than I was before. Maybe that's a good sign infection is getting out. Idk. Learning as I go lol. 

I still have hives !!!  I saw PCP today. While there he called ID MD while I was in the room. We stopped cefazolin until I see ID MD tomorrow.  Also got oral meds for next 24 hours.   Also saw PS, as there was swelling. Rt TE with 240cc looked bigger than left that has 360 cc.  (I am a little paranoid since infection!). He says the tissue on both is pissed off by the hives, but no indication of infection.

I'm wondering if the Hibiclens they want me to use due PICC is causing the hives.  I DINT have them anywhere else... 

Sandra4611or Moonflwr , have either of you had this issue?  

lol spa services....I think I can become a nurse now. He said Wednesday if culture comes back ok he will let me go home & have home health come administer the meds until I can learn how. No fever since I started on these meds so we feel like they're working. Don't want to take any chances. Not sure how long I will have to be on the meds but for now I'm just praying culture is good. 

Yep I popped back in. I do have issues with abx AND adhesive. There is a barricade cream they can put under the tape if that is a problem. I itched so much I almost ripped off the skin under the tape. It (barricade cream) worked pretty well. Ask your PS or nurse if you can use salt and water to clean instead of the hibiclens. Salt water is abx on its own and when I scratch the skin where it itches I use hot water and salt to prevent infection. With my diabetes I have to be careful and sometimes I just can't stop scratching the itch. LOL but salt water can't cause any reaction but it really works for me. And yes my feet swell up when I scratch them bloody. I know I know STOP DOING THAT LOL!  But that's what probably is happening your body is pissed off! But if it's your arm you do want to be aware of lymphedema.  Just keep an eye on that. But most of my problems come from the abx. I can use cephalexin. Daptomyacin. Ciproflaxen. And probably anything newer. But not vanco or ethromaycin.orother myacins,  penicillin and illins. And not tetracycline and cyclines. Oh and no Bactrim because it's a sulfa drug. My ID MD knows when she sees me we've got trouble. I think specialk and fluff also have reactions. Some Dr's have refused to operate with those restrictions. It's one reason I won't mess with ops I don't really need. And I did need reconstruction because I'm trying to convince my ortho to give me new knees. He's one that won't do it unless I prove I can hold an implant. LOL sorry to talking too much. 

Much love. 

I SEE THE ID tomorrow,...it is the weirdest thing. The hives are only on the breast mounds.   One line of thinking is that the combo of the hibiclens, the compression from the ace wrap and potential for latex in ace is what may be causing the issue.   

Wouldn't you think if it were abx, hives would be all over???  

My hives start on skin over joints. Over knuckles elbows knees.  So you are probably right about the abx. The last time i gad it really bad I had to get cortisone shots. 

ice ice baby. But SET A TIMER! You don't want frostbite! Ice will help with the itching.  

Oh Sandra. That looks positively painful. And yes we can see where the tape was. Ouch..gonna suggest ice for you too. Just don't keep it on long. Hugs. Careful hugs.....