RA What to expect with first Remicade infusion?

I have been taking remicade infusions for the past 8 months.  I have not had any side effects so far. My doctor was really good about starting at a low dose and boosting me up when she felt I was ok to.  They will probably give you benedryl and tylenol before your treatments just in case you have a reaction.  I don't get either because i don't like to feel sleepy from the benedryl.

My first couple of treatments were once a month and it was a 4 hour procedure.  Now I am going every 6 weeks and the infusion is taking about 2 hours. The reason for the change in time is because they can speed up the process of the infusion as long as your body can handle it.

My mom goes with me for my treatments.  It's nice to have someone to talk to while getting the infusion.  I would definitely say have someone with you the first couple of times.  I hope i helped a little bit and if you have additional questions post again and I can respond.

Lady Vol

I have had 24 Remicade infusions in the last 2.5 years. I have always driven myself to and from my infusions and have never had anyone go with me. If they are giving you a lot of Benadryl before your infusion, and you get very sleepy from Benadryl, then you might need someone to drive you. I have only had Benadryl before the first infusion and was fine to drive after it.

My infusions last 3 hours. I feel fine afterward and carry out the rest of my scheduled activities. I go to the mall, do my grocery shopping, or whatever else I have planned. I take a book or puzzle to do and take a snack. Some places provide meals [hospitals] but I have my ionfusions in my GI's infusions center. There is a TV in my cubicle that I could watch if I chose to. I tend to get cold so I take a fleece throw to cover me as the blankets they have leave me covered with lint.

 Best wishes w/ the Remicade!

I've been going for Remicade treatments since last October.

I have it done in my hospital @ the chemotherapy room.  It's a mix of people; some are getting treated for cancer, some get blood transfusions, some get fluids, some get immunoglobulins...AND SOME GET REMICADE!

 

There's no room for company @ my outpatient chemo...but I'm in a pretty densely populated city, so it probably varies state to state/city to city on the likelihood that you'll get to have someone sit with you during your infusions.

I hope you do...I wish I could! 

The nurses are really great. They're really sharp & very smart.

Your 1st Remicade day might be lengthy (health history, longer chemo run time, etc...)

The R.N. will do your vitals a few times while the Remicade runs.

I receive benedryl, steroids & tylenol as pre-meds and I also continue that schedule 4 days post-Remicade & 3 days pre-Remicade because in April I developed serum-sickness {everything worked out fine though}.

Umh..lemme' see, oh...doses & times vary too.  Depending on how you respond & how your arthritis is.

I go for treatments every 3 weeks @600mg per infusion.

The nurses will keep a good close eye on you so don't worry...and should you have any worries? Speak up & tell them!  Don't be afraid to tell them if you do feel strange or start to feel hot, dizzy,or it's hard to breath.

My 1st infusion my blood pressure dipped really low (78/50)...but they stopped the 'Cade, ran fluids, waited...and it was fine.

My run time is still between 4 and 6 hours.

The pre meds help avoid A LOT of infusion issues.

 

The only really bogus thing I ever developed was serum sickness in April...felt like a severe flu w/ fever & rashes.

 

Be a good communicator with your doc & nurses...it'll help tremendously.

 

So yeah...bring some good reading material! (I bring a little DVD player to watch movies) and I do hope you get to bring a friend or family member...it'll make the time go faster.

Take good care!

erin