Posted 8/31/2017 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
So I finished my last maintenance dosage of Entyvio 2 weeks ago and i figured with some people just starting this, i'd be good to document my progress/experience with it so far and for current Entyvio users to compare.
Loading Dosage 1 (1 hour blood work, 30 minute infusion)
-Had to wait for bloodwork to come back before I could do the infusion. if you're pressed for time, maybe see if you can do the bloodwork a day or two ahead of time, not sure if they need it to be right then or if i could've done it early.
-30 minute infusion was easy, in and out.
-I was pretty tired the rest of the day and had more frequent BMs in the day of the infusion.
-no lasting symptoms the day after.
Loading Dosage 2 (2 Weeks later, 30 minute infusion)
-No blood work needed. Walked in, got my infusion and walked out. easy as can be.
-less BMs compared to the first infusion, but still experienced a bit more.
-Still pretty tired day of and day after the infusion
Loading Dosage 3 (4 Weeks after Loading Dosage 2, 30 minute infusion)
-Applicable to LD 2
-Less BMs in the afternoon to the point where i didnt notice a difference to how i usually am.
So as you can see, the loading dosages and actual infusion are pretty quick and easy. i sit there for 30 minutes either on my phone or taking a quick nap.
Symptom Relief:
-I just had bloodwork returned to me and the results were really good. My blood count went from 8 to 11. it was so good that the PA at my GI's office thought I had a transfusion.
-I started having "good days" a few days after my first infusion. by "good day"I mean 2-3 BMs in the morning and then 0-1 in the afternoon/evening.
-It's a roller coaster. i have a good day and then a bad day or two. sometimes 2 good days. it largely depends. I have read and my GI has told me improvement starts during the loading dosages by kind of slows down once you are at the 8-week infusions.
-The urgency has gotten better but remained bad at times, especially while driving. not sure what i can do to fight that, sometimes Immodium works, sometimes it doesnt.
I havent had any lingering side effects and have found the medication to be good so far. When I was on Humira, i didnt respond at all so even the smallest response that I've seen has been welcome news.