just got scheduled for Remi....itS MY FIRST TIME...

The nurses are wonderful. If you can drink lots of water the night before and some in the morning if your apt. isn't first thing. It will help plump up the veins in your hand. If you have crapy ones like i do, i throw on a heat pad with my arm warmer ( like a leg warmer). Most of the time they throw on the heatting pad again when i get there. They will get you to read and sign a form ( no biggy) then they will ask you a bunch of questions which they will do every infusion.
They will take your temp. , blood presure and your weight. Then they will hook you up to the iv, mix your meds and then hook you into them. Sit back and relax. Bring something to munch on or drink if you want. A good book or your lap top. SOme clinics even have a tv. I spend most of my time chatting with the other 2 ( only 3 chairs are there , WHich are rather comfy by the way)
Durring your infusion they will check your temp. And if you feel "funny" for any reason let the nurse know right way. Like i say they are wonderful. You'll do great!! I actually look forward to it now..cause is quiet and sometimes you get to talk to others with crohns! One of my nurses has it too! Keep in touch and let us know how it goes. I go for my 7th infusion friday!

you two have just made me cry! i think i have been trying to stay strong lately for my fam but you two have just gave me the comfort that i needed... desperately needed. so thank you from the bottom of my heart. I do have some questions though, do they always use the hand to put the IV? do they ever use your forearm or any other spot? Have you ever used Lidocain patches, will i need them? and how long should i expect to be there??

Nope, it doesn't have to go in your hand. When I was still having Remicade infusions I had mine in the crux of my forearm everytime, as that was my best vein. I'm not too sure what you would use the Lidocain patches for?! Just bring your Ipod and relax! After it's done you will be so relieved, happy and unable to believe how easy it was! You'll do great! :)

When I had it done they gave me a choice if I wanted the numbing shot first or just go ahead and stick in the IV. So I would assume it would be the same for you so I dont think you would have to worry about using your own Lidocain patches or any other form of numbing.
Best of luck!

It really is a piece of cake as long as there is no reaction which is rare I do believe. Mine was done at short stay unit in hospital so I was always fed and got to relax and watch tv, I too looked forward to my iv every time

I'm now on Humira, still jealous of my brother who gets to stick with Remicade haha

My nurses always ask me.. Margret ( the best nurse ever) loves in in the forearm ( viens are easy to find there) But always puts it in my hand.. You might get a headache after wards.. I pre medicate with tylenol a half hour before i go. DON'T do any pre medicating for your first time. Just let the nurse know if you had a headache the next time you go. ( she will ask you at your next infusion at the begining along with the other questions. LIke i say they are great !! I'll be mentaly holding your hand!!

I was on Remicade for 8 or 9 years before I switched to Humira. I really miss my Remicade infusion days. They were some of the only times that I would sit down, relax and do nothing. For the first 8 years, I would get it one on one, not in a hospital or infusion center. I would sit in a room with an RN and she'd do the infusion. I got to be really good friends with her over the years. Actually got to the point where I could do most of the procedure myself, everything but the needle stick.

I hope it goes well for you, relax and enjoy it if you can. They usually use nice big reclining chairs, and RN's are always so nice.

I remember before my first infusion I was nervous, so prepared myself well, mp3 player, magazines, drinks, snacks the lot - ended up being that the antihistamine they gave me before the infusion put me straight to sleep so I'd literally sleep through every infusion so all my worries about being hooked up and bored were pointless lol!
Was a wonder drug for me back when I was on it, I'd sleep through it, go home sleep some more til pretty much the next day and wake up a whole new person, tons of energy and symptoms dramatically reduced - within a day! I hope it provides you with as much relief as it did for me.
Like everyone else has said the nurses tend to be wonderful, all the ones I had were very competent and above all friendly, they're so well prepared in infusion centres, even though I ended up having a severe reaction (rare) after some years it was dealt with within seconds of occurring, they really were fantastic.

I got to sit in a big chair with a bunch of little old ladies who were getting Remi for their joints. It was great. Of course I don't really have a problem with needles, and nurses tend to love my veins.

Best of luck!
-ZZ

I think you will do just fine. If you can manage the pain of the humira, the remicade should be a breeze. Good luck!