Starting Entyvio!

Good morning...I am in a habbit of waking up at 4 or 5 am and can't seem to change it. Maybe I'm thinking too much about my first Infusion of Entyvio on Dec 8th. Besides hydrating a lot the day before and day of, should I be doing anything else with diet etc to help with possible side effects?

My appointments are right around Holiday functions so I wonder if I will be tired or have a headache the day after an infusion. I do not normally have headaches, but sometimes have sinus pressure headaches. I've heard about taking antihistamines before infusion?

Thanks for the support...Sassy

If you are prone to sinus headaches, I say yes on taking a Claritin, staying consistent makes it work much better. Some do take it before an infusion.

There is no need to make any dietary changes because of Entyvio. It's hard to say if you will be tired after the infusion. Try to relax, your anxiety is causing you more stress than anything.

Keep yourself busy between now & then.

Well I will be sure to bring lip balm and hydrate. And I look into Claritin. Thanks! One week to go...
I hope it works too.

Sassy

I had my first Entyvio treatment in early December last year, and had many of the same worries about the Christmas season activities etc. I found that I was not impacted at all and generally felt a little better than I had in the months before. For some reason I was always hungry immediately after my infusion so I’d make sure there was something healthy to eat waiting for me in the car to help avoid junk food cravings. Usually I was a little tired the day after infusion (and same now on Remicade) so I build a quiet day into my calendar for that day - just hang out at home, no appointments or errands, simple or made ahead meal plans. The protocol at that clinic was, for first infusion only, to stay half an hour after the half hour infusion for observation. Good luck, hope it all goes smoothly.

Appreciate all the helpfull tips....Thank you!

Sassy

Glad you got through the first one without too much trouble Sassy. Good luck on the 22!

Yes take a blanket with you next time! My facility is part of the hospital so they have a blankets and a blanket warmer! Love those warm blankets! I have tricky veins too and we always use my left elbow because it seems to be the easiest. I’ve had the same nurses now for all 6-7 years so they’re familiar with my veins now and we don’t usually have problems anymore. I’ve found too that the more nervous I am the worse my veins are. Being nervous is normal — I still occasionally get a case of nerves at my sessions. But you’ll feel more comfortable and confident with each one! 🤞fingers crossed entyvio is your answer!

At my last session the guy next to me was there when I got there at 11 and was getting some kind of timed infusion — I left about noon and the nurse was doing math trying to see if she could get his infusion done for him to make his cancer dr appt before they closed at 4. It made me very thankful that my infusions are so easy. Actually the chairs (about 6-7) were all full when I got there and those patients were all still there when I left. So I’m very lucky.

Hey Sassy!
Yep an antihistamine the day of the infusion. And even for 1-2 days after, is a good idea.
Hydration is super important.
Re the iron: try Iron bisglycinate taken on empty stomach with some vitamin C (even just 120 mg vit C) to help it absorb well.
And last but not least: from what I've heard Entyvio is the safest of all biologics. Let's hope you achieve long and deep remission on it.

Good luck!

It usually takes a long time for Entyvio to work. If you had an immediate response that's a good sign. By the time you have your 1st maintenance infusion you will know if it's working. For now be patient. Oral iron supplements can cause intestinal problems. But my guess is it's just a continuation of your flare that is causing the diarrhea and frequency. Entyvio is not that fast acting for most people, but once you get in remission you will love it. The infusions are fast and you will pretty much be able to forget about UC between them.

Thanks Midge, I have never made it more than 3 days without coffee. Withdrawal is tough.

I guess having colitis for more than 25 years and never having diarrhea, just constipation until the last few months has opened my eyes on just how horrible IBD is for those of us suffering with on going D and pain during every flare. I now know what it's like to have accidents, bad cramps, not knowing if it's just gas. Now I run to the bathroom after every tiny gurgle in my gut. It's time I take this seriously, stop feeling sorry for myself and do whatever I can to help myself live better and manage this disease. Like so many of us on HW.

So thanks for listening...this board has helped me in so many ways, it's therapeutic.

Sassy...