Entyvio infusion in 2 weeks and COVID-19

I have an entyvio infusion in 2 weeks and I'm really worried.  I called the infusion center and confirmed that it's still on schedule. I'm surprised because I thought I'm considered immunocompromised and should continue to stay away from people. I haven't left my apartment in 10 days. The nurse I talked to on the phone said yes it's definitely still on schedule because its important that I stay on schedule with the entyvio treatment. 

I'm scared that I'm gonna get infected with covid19 being around people and the medical staff there.  But I know it's important that I get the infusion. I don't wanna flare. I've been in remission for 5 months. But, covid-19.

Needless to say my anxiety level has been through the roof thinking about my upcoming appointment and possibly exposing myself to covid-19.  Am I overreacting? What would you do?

I have Remicade infusion at the hospital on Monday and I am going . It’s scary but we have no choice . Entyvio is safer than Remicade

countess18 said...
I have Remicade infusion at the hospital on Monday and I am going . It’s scary but we have no choice . Entyvio is safer than Remicade

I'm glad I'm not alone in feeling scared. Good luck with your infusion on Monday countess18.

If the cough isn't getting any worse I wouldn't be concerned. Coughs can come from all kinds of things ... some meds/supplements can cause coughs, dust, allergies, as well as lingering mild colds.

I started with a cough a week ago and have been somewhat concerned about it, but no fever or any other symptoms and it has not gotten worse so I am starting to relax about it. I can take some cough medicine and that calms the cough when I need it.

My next remicade infusion is April 18. I'll start worrying about it when I get closer, I'm sure. I am stressing enough about all of this and don't need to add that to the list right now.

I have my entyvio infusion on Tuesday and plan on going. I’ve seen them be sure to wipe the chairs in between patients just during regular times so I’m sure they’ll be taking extra special care now since they do deal with a lot of immune suppressed patients.

Take hand sanitizer if you have it and ask them to wipe everything again before you sit down.

The good news with entyvio is the infusion is only 30 minutes do you won’t be there very long. Wash your hands before you leave and don’t touch your skin or face until after you get home and you wash them again!

Maybe they’ll even have a mask for you if you ask? Or gloves?

I felt safe at the infusion center for my 4th Entyvio dose. The facility was calm and uncrowded. The staff was constantly cleaning with disinfectant wipes. I am from the Land of Shelter-in-Place so I feel more secure at home but this was better than, say, a grocery store. I wore exam gloves that I discarded before getting back in my car and an ill-fitting likely ineffective mask left over from a trip during an influenza epidemic years ago.

They just called to change the time of my infusion appt. tomorrow. They’re spacing appts out so they can see fewer patients at one time. Plus I have to call from the parking lot before I go in to make sure they have an open chair for me.

There’s about 8 chairs there. The first year of my infusions there was usually only 1 or 2 patients at a time. The last year every chair has been filled.

I had my Remicade infusion today at the hospital . We were stopped before I went in and told only patients allowed in/no visitors . Then in the lobby I was stopped again and they took my temp and made me use purell. I wore a mask and went up to the infusion unit and they put me in a private room. I felt safe and it was nice having no traffic in the city . Philly is shut down basically. Now I’m back in quarantine . They are talking about sending people back to work soon which is scary for us. I don’t work but am concerned about others spreading this.

Going in for Remicade next week. April Fool's Day! Just got off tele-visit with my doc (infusion center called yesterday to say my insurance changed this year and now needs a visit every 6 months instead of every year). I asked the question about Remicade, got the same answer as above- "should be safe but there's not a lot of data."

I'm a germophobe to begin with, even before UC; was wiping down grocery carts long before it was cool So I'm worried about my infusion next week. 4 chairs in a smallish room but enough room that they should be bale to have the chairs 6ft apart. I'm telling myself this- I have an N95 I've been saving for a rainy day that I'll wear to protect against anything airborne, and I just won't touch anything neck or above. I would normally change clothes as soon as I got home- I might bring a change of clothes and a bunch of wipes and change in the bathroom out in the hall so nothing gets in the car (because who knows what's in those seats). And shower when I get home. The office is in a hospital professional building, connected to the main hospital.

Not stressing about it but building the plan so I don't!

The county I live in has more cases every day and I expect a huge increase next week, They had set up drive through testing last weekend that was supposed to give results in 5 days. That has now been delayed to 7-10 days!

I have my next remi infusion on 4/18 and am already stressing about it. It's in the hospital infusion room so I have to walk a pretty long way and go up 5 floors to get there. I am going to start calling on Monday to see if they have any alternatives to the hospital. If not, I am going to cover my car seat, have wipes to wipe it down and have a change of clothes in my garage so I can change before I even get in the house and then change again after I shower. I have some of those paper surgical masks I can wear and I ALWAYS have hand sanitizer. Since you can't buy it anymore I got lucky and found some rubbing alcohol and aloe vera gel on Amazon so I can make my own if I need to.

I cancelled all my other dr appts but I need remi so I just gotta get through it and hope for the best!

Hope everyone stays safe!!!

I have a remicade infusion on April 15th and a little worried for sure. It's on the 4th floor, and like walking through a rat-maze to get there (lots of hallways, elevators, etc.).

I am on remicade 10mg every 4 weeks. Max dose. I had my infusion in Boston on Wednesday. was terrified. It went fine, but of course, I had to use the bathroom twice and that completely freaked me out. I was spraying bleach solution everywhere. I did wear a cloth facemask and changed in the parking lot before I got in my car. Definitely, change your shoes. I have been challenging my doctor about continuing and he is adamant about it. I chatted with the infusion nurses(such great people) and she said there isn't any data. China won't share and Italy is a mess. My question is how do these biologics compare with chemo in terms of suppressing the immune system? How risky is it to continue? Anyone heard anything? At what point does the COVID 19 risk outway the reward of remicade?

I got approval from my insurance today so that I can have my next infusion 1 day early at the stand alone infusion center instead of the hospital. They are both affiliated with each other so I didn't have to get a whole pre authorization. The only reason I go to the hospital for them is because they have evening and Sat hours and the stand alone center is only weekdays.

Now I have to wait for the doc to change the order for the infusion center and I can get my appt rescheduled. Should have that taken care of Monday.

I'll still be careful, but I won't be as terrified as going to the hospital. Cases are climbing in this area daily.