Ok so I am suppose to be getting my Remicade Nov 6th.
Here is my list of "duties" to do before my Remicade infusion for that day... I want to know if any of you do any of this?
I dont do any of that. I get up have my coffee, drive in and have a spa day..
joonie its no big deal at all..
Wow, okay Joonie...here is my list:
-Wear comfortable clothes,
-Take an MP3 player or something equivilant
-Be prepared to talk to other people getting their infusions too.
Never heard of the preps on your list.
Opps... forgot to add Zyrtec, someone called while I was posting this.
Well, that is what she printed out on my list and told me. There is also a note in the waiting room with all that listed on it as a reminder, it is for Remicade, Boniva, and Orecenia patients.
Well my 1st infusion they had me take a regular tylenol and a benedryl with it. (The benedryl is an anti- histimine like the zyrtec. Benedryl is a lot cheaper than zyrtec, because it has gone generic.
It always helps to be well hydrated. (It makes it easier to insert IV needle.)
I was not told 'no caffine'.
[QUOTE=marian]Well my 1st infusion they had me take a regular tylenol and a benedryl with it. (The benedryl is an anti- histimine like the zyrtec. Benedryl is a lot cheaper than zyrtec, because it has gone generic.
It always helps to be well hydrated. (It makes it easier to insert IV needle.)
I was not told 'no caffine'.
[/QUOTE]
Same here for me. They gave me a benedryl the first time incase of alergic reaction, but not any time after that. I too was never told "no caffine", dont understand that.
I always wore comfy clothes and took my needle work or a book to read. The TV was always on in the infusion room so there was that to watch. Most times I just slept. Never took tylenol or any pain meds before infusion, never needed it. I always felt MUCH MUCH better after the infusion. The difference was nearly imediate. It worked better for me than the Humira is, and I will definatly be going back on it as soon as I get my dr. bill paid down.
I asked RD about the Tylenol Arthritis and she said it was for allergic reaction, not for pain, because I asked if I could take IBU.
I am to take the Zyrtec & Tylenol Arthritis before every infusion, not just for the first infusion.
Yeah the caffiene I have no idea about, that is just what it says no caffiene. So... I am guessing my coke with my McGriddle that morning will be outta the question
Wear comfy clothing and take a book. Lindy
They give me Tylenol if I have not already had pain relief and they give me a Benedryl. It's a breeze - no side effects.
Joonie,Joonie, that is what my RD does on my infusion day. I have an antihistamine(zyrtec), and that is for reaction. The tylenol is to lesson any headache or if you should happen to spike a fever. I usually take the tylenol there, and of course the Allegra I take at home.
I ALWAYS drink my cup of coffee. I would not want to wait until afterwards for coffee. Start hydrating yourself the night before.
Until very recently it was believed that caffiene dehydrates you. Now,< =text/>_popupControl(); Befoer my infusion I am given tylenol and Claritin to prevent allergic reactions. They want you to hydrate so they have an easy time getting a vein for the IV. They will also take your vitals a bunch of times too.
I wear comfy clothes...bring a blanket with me...munchies with me...my MP3 player..word searches...etc. I kick back in the La-Z-Boy and let my infusion goooooooooo. IT is actually some nice time for me.
Thanks for the replies everyone.
Was just wondering.... figured it could not hurt to ask
I was on remicade for about a year, I didn't have any anti-histamine as I was on MTX which should suppress your immune system enough to prevent an allergic reaction. It also helps stop your body fighting the remicade after you've had the infusion.. Drink lots of water is fab advice - wrap up warm if it's a cold day (stops your veins from disappearing). Take something to read, IPod or whatever to keep you occupied. Wear short sleeves with a cardigan if it's cold, then you can drape the cardi round your shoulders if it's chilly once you're 'hooked up'. Relax and try not to worry too much about it - I hope it works for you!
KT
Thanks KT!
I HATE hubby's IPOD! I just want to throw it out the window while we are going 70 down the 4-lane and with an 18 wheeler behind us so I can hear the "crunch"!
Oh sorry... the word IPOD for some reason makes me wanna just slap my hubby
Just thought I'd chime in too. :-) The infusions are a breeze, as others have said. My infusion days were actually very nice. Took the day off work. The nurse gave me tylenol and claritin. She also gave me a nice fluffy pillow and blanket. Took vitals before and during. And even offered cookies, crackers and juice. It was interesting talking to the others who were there for infusions too.
Unfortunately the remicade quite working for me after about 1 1/2 years. Just recenty started humira. Sounds silly, but one of the reasons I was hesitant about changing medications was because I felt so pampered on infusion day!
Tara I hope the Humira is working for you. Please keep us posted on how the Humira is working for you. < =text/>_popupControl();
When I failed Humira there were a couple of aspects of that situation that I really didn’t mind. One…I am going to save just a bunch of money (and I didn’t have to switch to GEICO lol) because Humira was monthly for me and all my Remicade infusions cost me is the office co-pay of once every 6-8 weeks. Two…it is just really nice to not have to inject myself with that burning liquid any longer lol. Three…kicking back for 2-3 hours in the La-Z-Boy recliner with no kids…no husband…and no worries!! Just me, a book, and my MP3 player! I get out of the house for a little bit and actually have a conversation that does not involve the household items..the teenagers…or talking to teenagers!!
Depending on the time of day and the way the infusion suite is layed out, you may have company or you might be the only one there. Bring something to keep you occupied for up to 4 hrs just in case, comfortable clothes and shoes, and for the first visit a blankie in case they dont provide one. I was getting my infusions in a room with 5 nice recliners and a TV/VCR. They had a selection of movies, provided a blanket and sodas and snacks. Most of the time I was the only one in there but no matter what, I always fell asleep. I dont know why b/c I usually can not fall asleep unless I am home in bed. Something about it just made me sleepy, but I felt fine to drive home after. Once I had to bring my kids...lol..the infusion nurse had them in the nurses station doing math problems on the dry erase board once they got tired of watching the movie. The reason why you need to be prepared to stay longer than the usual 2-3 hrs is that sometimes they have to run it slower if you have a reaction to it at the higher rate.
It really isnt that big of a deal tho. I know starting a new med is a bit nerve wracking...but as someone who actually had an allergic reaction to Remicade, I still would recommend it to anyone. It may be your magic bean!
Thanks Crunchy.