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My Experience on IV Rocephin (A Cautionary Tale)

After 3 rounds of different oral abx, I got the PICC line and started doing daily infusions of Rocephin. Did that for 7 weeks, knowing to be very careful to eat a low fat diet due to possible gallbladder issues that can be a side effect of the drug.

Well, I began to have an odd burning sensation under my right rib cage, so I called my doctor but they said I had just had my bloodwork done and everything was normal, so not to worry. Three days later, I ate a 2% Greek yogurt and felt and INTENSE burning and aching sensation in my upper gut. I tried walking it off but I started to feel really bad and panicky. My neighbor took me to the ER, where they did an ultrasound and said there were no apparent gallstones but that the gallbladder looked thick and there was probably an obstruction. That was on March 8th.

I was admitted to the hospital that night, told that I would have an ERCP (type of endoscopy) the next day to clear the "sludge" and open up my bile ducts. I was told that pancreatitis was a risk, but a small one, of the procedure.

Lucky me, I got pancreatitis. It was horrible. For those women who have experienced labor contractions, this was like the worst contraction you can imagine but in your upper gut and with NO breaks. Demerol didn't work, morphine didn't work, so I was on IV Dilauded (that finally helped and the hallucinations were entertaining as well).

I could not eat for 2 weeks, not even swallow water, in order to rest the pancreas. I developed a 103 fever for five days, so they removed the PICC thinking it could have been infected. Nothing. They did a CAT scan to see if I had an abscess or pseudocyst, but there was nothing. My enzyme levels were through the roof.

I was in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks. Finally the fever broke and I could begin to eat very soft and bland food, so I was able to come home. I've been home for a week but I still can't really eat normally, my upper stomach doesn't feel right, and my pancreatic enzymes are still elevated. I can't be on any abx at this point so all my Lyme symptoms are returning (the Dilauded took away all my joint pain, but that's not a long term solution!).

So I would simply say to be very cautious about Rocephin, because I cannot believe what a nightmare this has been. It's also worth noting that I have never had any kind of gallbladder issues. Now they are not even sure if I might still have to have it removed, which would suck. I'd prefer to keep my organs, thanks.

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Avatar universal
i absolutely LOVE that you shared this because i think it jus changed how seriously i considered the same pain. its like this burning, someones stabbing you right under your right lowest rib with a dull rusty screwdriver?! i get that every so often it makes me double over in pain. should i have my llmd test to make sure everythings ok? or jus keep keepin an eye on it. cuz it really hasnt gotten worse.
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Avatar universal
Thanks, everyone. And yes Jackie... I knew something was not right, and even my pharmacist told me that it sounded like gallbladder problems. I know my body and this was a sensation I had never experienced before.

I'll be seeing my LLMD next Tuesday so we'll see what the plan will be moving forward. I think it's going to be a wait-and-see situation with the Lyme, and also with my gallbladder.
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428506 tn?1296557399
Thank you for sharing this.

I am fortunate in that, while it took awhile, I did respond to oral antibiotics.  I am still treating, now for over 1.5 years, but never used IV.

I hope you are through the worst of your ordeal and that you recover both from the IV ordeal and from your Lyme.
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Avatar universal
Ye gods, panthergirl.  What a terrible thing to go through, on top of Lyme already.

It's a worthy lesson for all of us that when we know something is going wrong, like when you first got the burning under your rib cage, not to be talked out of it by the MD's office.  I have these conversations with myself all the time, that I have to stick up for myself and how I feel.  I lived through some similar events to yours, being told I was okay when I really was not, and because I wasn't hysterical, they figured I must be okay.

Thank for you the cautionary tale.  Thinking of you and hoping things start to go better for you.  Take it easy, heal fast, and keep us posted!
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