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Meropenem antibiotic - anyone been on?
First time to see an Infectious Disease Dr today & he wants to start me on Meropenem antibiotic through a pic line for two weeks. He says this should kill the pseudomonas that is in the lower part of my lungs. He said the Tobramycin is only for the upper part of my lungs . I have Bronchiectasis & was hospitalized twice since late Nov for pneumonia. If anyone has been on this medicine I would appreciate your experience & any tips you can give me. I am nervous because I have had such bad reactions to many antibiotics. Thank you!
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I was on this antibiotic IV for two weeks in the hospital for double pneumonia/pseudomonas and had absolutely zero side effects. The only aggravation was the IV sites had to be changed often because I have skinny veins but they used ultra sound and it didn't hurt at al. For me it the worst was no sleep in the hospital because of constant checking and waking by nurses! I wouldn't worry but of course people have different experiences.
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2 ReactionsI have wondered about this IV antibiotic as a possible treatment for pseudomonas. Have read on other posts from people who were treated with it and they did not notice much or any side effects and said it helped for awhile. One person said it kept her symptoms at bay for 2 years. Liz why did you have to stay in the hospital for 2 weeks? I thought they monitored you on an IV just till they were sure you were ok with that antibiotic and then could set you up to continue with treatments at home? My main concern is kidney function so would appreciate any feedback about being on Meropenem and if it had any affect on urine output.
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2 ReactionsI have kidney disease and my kidneys were not affected. Creatinine no. did not change and was monitored daily. My doctor wanted me in the hospital for the treatment because I needed 02 some of the time, breathing treatments, and my blood pressure was really high and they were trying to get it down and there was no point in a pic line after most of the 2 weeks had passed.
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3 ReactionsForgot to add: Merem was chosen by infectious disease and kidney dr. because safer for kidney disease than some of the other choices.
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3 ReactionsThank you for responding. I go in as outpatient to have get pic line & a nurse will come to the house to teach my husband & I how to administer. Wishing you the best!
My regime in the hospital was a 3 hr IV twice a day but it may differ with a pic line
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2 ReactionsThank you Liz!
Stella please let us know how it goes with the Meropenem. My pulmo said that they will not do any IV antibiotic without starting out first in the hospital and then go home to continue if all is well. That is nice that they are letting you start out on it as an out patient.
Will keep you posted.
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