First influximab infusion today!: Nervous! Arrived 0... - NRAS

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First influximab infusion today!

Lillibet profile image
5 Replies

Nervous! Arrived 09.00. Fantastic nursing team.Explained the procedure completely. Within 15 mins, the canula was in - this was the bit I was most worried about. The last time I had this done, I was being induced! Apart from a slight (can I say the word 'pr***k?) it was totally painless. The tubes were taped in place and off we went. Two and a half hours later the machine beeped to say that I was full up. I had a very comfy reclining chair, which I made total use of! Any chance to put my feet up...... Snuggly warm blanket, next thing I knew it was time for a cup of tea and a biccie.

Hospital lunch was dire - highly recommend taking your own snacks!

An hour's observation after the canula was taken out and I was on my way home - driving myself!

Got home and felt really tired so had a couple of hours in bed. Felt slightly nauseaous after getting up, but had a light supper, put my pj's on and sat in the garden reading.

Just gone 8.00 p.m and feel ready for bed again. Arms and legs 'heavy'. Not sure yet if I will go to work tomorrow or not yet.

To anyone facing their first infusion - don't worry. If I can do it, you can. It really is nothing to worry about. Just enjoy the chance to put your feet up for a couple of hours.

Liz xxx

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Lillibet profile image
Lillibet
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5 Replies
asasmum profile image
asasmum

Hi Liz

Good to hear you have had a positive experience with the infusions at hospital and doing ok at home so far. Ironically I have tried several biologics and sadly none have worked and so Rheumy said she was gonna try a different tack and offered infusion treatment. That was a month ago and last week I gave bloods, weight and MRSA swabs for testing. I am now waiting to hear about date for hospital admittance. I was hoping to hear from someone who had had the treatment and here you are!!!!!. Thank you x

So good to know at least the canula bit went ok. I always have problems with nurses trying to get blood,and so now always have it taken from the backs of my hands, and even that can take them up to 5 goes!!!. Well hope you stay well and rest up as your body is going through some changes just now. Have a good day. Asa's mum xx

asasmum profile image
asasmum

P.S Just a thought Liz, did you need any chest x-rays before you had the infusions etc? xx

Lillibet profile image
Lillibet

Hi asa'smum!

Yes, I had chest x-rays and bloods done last week. Slept really well last night, but have woken this morning with a headache and limbs still feeling really heavy. Hands are not so painful this morning, but still feel like I have mild flu. Am not going into school (cookery teacher) today - just too whacked out.

Anyone know if this is normal?

Don't be frightened of the infusion - easy to say, I know. I was nearly in tears with nerves yesterday. It really is nothing to worry about. I'm also able to manage my own mtx jabs too - not bad for an ex-needle phobic!!!

Liz

SusanP profile image
SusanP in reply to Lillibet

How did you get metho by injection ...they want let me have it that way abd pills make me ill, mouth ulcers etc..had to come off them after i week and suffering every day with RA...

dickfend profile image
dickfend

Hi Liz, I have had RA for 40 years and been on MTX (Tablets-20mgs) for god knows how long. I can't remember. However, I have been on Infliximab for 7 years (every 6 weeks) and although at first, it would take a couple of hours to go through and a couple of hours to see if there was any reaction, I now get out in about an hour and half. Some say they feel very tired after it but I can honestly say I haven't felt that way at all. It does however make me feel a whole lot better after it and I look forward to the next time. Glad it went well for you and I hope you are feeling the effects of it to the good. Brian

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