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Blood Tests w/ Remicade Infusion

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Posted 12/27/2016 12:50 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

My private hospital in China has been ordering blood tests that need to be done days ahead of my Remicade infusion every single time. Is this normal?

Mainly I ask because the hospital is 1.5 hours away and I am constantly having to take time off work to go to the hospital. So if they are doing extra tests or doing them in an unnecessary way I think I want to look into switching hospitals.

Also they are doing Prednisone with every infusion. Is this common? They seem a little bit aggressive in ordering/doing extra things since my insurance is paying 100%.

Thanks
Posted 12/27/2016 1:05 PM (GMT 0)
I'd ask what blood test(s) they are doing. Generally, no, bloodwork isn't required for remicade. It might be helpful to know your current bodywide inflammation levels through a "C Reactive Protein" (CRP) test. It might be helpful to do a "Complete Bloodcell Count" (CBC) test and see what your current white blood cells, red blood cells, and other values are. Good to know but not essential.

Premedications are common with remicade and help prevent infusion-reactions like headaches, flushing, and increased breathing and heart rates. I get Tylenol and an antihistamine like claritin before each infusion. Steroids can be used as well, most commonly if you've had a prior bad reaction during a remicade infusion.
Posted 12/27/2016 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have the sheet on hand that says exactly what they did. But the email the doctor sent me mentioned Hb, CRP, and ERS improvements. I don't know if there was a CBC or just the hemoglobin test. The far bigger problem is requiring me to do it days before the infusion. Thus another 3 hours of travel and time taken off work.

Tylenol and Claritin sounds dramatically different than Prednisone. I've had it every time so I don't know if I would have had a reaction without it.

Regardless they did not present anything as options. They basically said no bloodtest = no infusion.
Posted 12/27/2016 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Can you just get the blood work at any lab and have the results sent to your doctor?

When I was on Remicade, they used to run blood on the day of my infusion. That way they could do one poke. If you're having active symptoms, they are probably doing blood work to see whether your inflammatory markers are decreasing. if you're not having any symptoms and you're in remission, it seems like overkill.
Posted 6/3/2018 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
off topic, but would you mind sharing what medical insurance you have and if Remicade is covered under it?
I am having a very difficult time figuring out how to pay for Remicade once I move to China.
Thank You.
Posted 6/4/2018 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
The majority of patients on remicade use the medication manufacturer's patient co-pay assistance program: /remicade.janssencarepathsavings.com/#/app/home

I'd make sure you can get remicade affordably in China. I am unfamiliar with how healthcare and medications are paid for there. Do your homerwork and find out!
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