Had my 1st Infliximab Infusion

dorcas

Hello peeps

I had my first Infliximab Infusion yesterday.

Began by having bloods taken ..for base line readings...and blood pressure, temp and pulse.

Infusion itself took about three hours, followed by 2hrs waiting in case there was any severe adverse reaction.

Blood pressure, temp and pulse continued to be checked at 30 minute intervals throughout the time I was in the Ward.

Looked after really well....lots of tea (no biccies though!), lunch and the company of some very nice other arther peeps also hooked up to either Infliximab or Rituximab.

I had taken in my copy of 'Arthritis Care' for others to read...and chatted away about how great folks are on AC & forum..one young man, who has been having a horrendous time with RA and feeling very isolated, said he will definitely have a look at the forum.

How was I?....well, after about half an hour of infusion I started to feel extremely tired and had the beginnings of a dull headache. The staff nurses looking after me said that was a common reaction and that when I got home it was important to go to bed and rest.

By the time I was home I felt exhausted and the headache was worsening. Took some pain meds and went to bed...got up after three hours....headache gone, but tiredness still there.

This morning I'm feeling back to normal. I've no obvious improvement in joint stiffness or pain but not feeling any worse so that's ok .

Nurses said that improvement can take between 2- 12 weeks.

I go back in 2weeks for my next infusion...then 4weeks..2weeks and after that it will settle into being infused every 8weeks.

thanks for all good wishes and for pocket peeps company while I was in. as always thanks to my pigeon post buddy Cris :!:...notice there are no peppermint creams left, a broken pencil and some wisps of wool stuck to the inside lining.

Iris x ( who now has mouse protein floating in her blood stream and a yearning for Emmental )

angie1973

Sounds like you did really well. Hope that the improvement starts for you soon.

I'm still learning about people and what type of arthur they have, so I'm sorry if I say something that doesn't make sense!

Hope you got plenty of rest..

Ange..

dreamdaisy

Well, that's not too bad then! When I had my first one, my neighbour drew a cartoon mouse, obviously me, and this mouse had thrown aside her crutches and was marching towards a rising sun. It was so nearly the case for me: I hope you are that mouse.

Infusions are fun, aren't they? I used to love having mine, it was a social occasion, I was able to meet so many people with different forms of arthritis, exchange tips and hints, swig tea - take some biccies with you next time, get the biccy ball rolling! - and generally have a good time. I liked the recliners best, tho - so comfy. I miss those good days. DD

janie68

Hi iris

I'm glad it went well for you, fingers crossed as much as they can be for you that it works for you. I will post on how I got on but mine is actually very similar to yours!

Janie

skezier

Hi Iris,

She likes peppermint creams She swapped with her wool.... I know but at least she has made an effort to leave something in return

I got this theory you know about these infusions..... Mine makes the head bang but starts as a low grade one as soon as they contact me to it. I also find I get very sick (thank god for anti emetics) and wished for a few days afterward and I think a lot of it is the saline the drug is in! Mine is very dangerous if not well watered down but by the end f the 6 hours the whole bag of fluid has gone in and over 5 days... well I reckon that's why it makes that horrible wished and ill feeling....... It sort of makes sense as well......

Glad your feeling a bit better today and sending a bucket of hopes that it will bring you some relief from the bone stuff. ((((( ))))) and a cuppa Cris xx

Wonkylegs

HI Iris & well done!

that sounds like quite a day ....... longer than I thought :shock:

I hope you are feeling less tired now and that your headache doesn't reappear

Now then .... sounds like I better get some cheese in when I get my infusion date

all the best
WOnky

dorcas

Hi ange, DD, Janie,Cris & Wonky

Ange.... we are all the same here no matter what type of arther we have so there's no right or wrong thing you can say on this forum ...it's just really nice to see you posting.

Damsel...love the idea of you being a cartoon mouse. just sorry the benefits for you didn't last.!
those recliner chairs are fab though...wished I had one at home.

Janie...I really do hope your Ok after a wee bit of a shaky start yesterday and that the Rituximab works for you. Will be following your progress as the weeks go by.

Cris... bucket of hopes are always handy to have so I'll be storing that one for future use.... no 'use by' date I hope.?
Fingers crossed you don't have to wait too long for your next infusion lovely and that it gives you much needed relief

Wonky... hope you can get started on an anti tnf once you've seen rheummy in a couple of weeks.
the infusion doesn't take too long...it's the waiting about after for a couple of hours that adds to it. After the next infusion I'll have to wait on...but all being well from the third infusion I'll not have to hang about afterwards so the time should be shortened to about three hours...not bad really.

Hope everyone has a nice weekend planned.

Iris x

skezier

Hi Iris,

No there's never a sell by date on hope! Hope her self said she doesn't have on either

Its in September.... I don't remember when but will phone the ward and make sure what date its being done on... horrible stuff!

You take care and will get back to you in a mi cus i is off to catch the chemist before it shuts... car willing! Then get the sheeps to bed and home to sleep..... hopefully not on the A30! Love and ((( )))'s with a cuppa and a bit of saffron. Cris xxx

tillytop

Hi Iris, so pleased to hear that you got on well yesterday! I had completely forgotten until you mentioned it that I often used to have a bad headache the day after the infusion and always felt a bit "steamrollered" but it was short-lived and so worth it for the benefit of the Infliximab.
Well done!
Love Tilly x

tkachev

Hello Iris,

I have been neglecting you recently so sorry.i just seem to get kicked off the laptop when about to read /anwer your posts. Anyway i am glad to see you have had your first infusion. I really hope you start to benefit from it very soon,
Take care
Elizabeth

marion1952

Hi Iris

Glad the first infusion is over and done with now.. You will know what to expect next time.. I really hope it helps.

Just don't go near any mouse traps - and get ready to run if the cat looks at you and starts licking his lips..

Marion x

elnafinn

Hi Iris

So pleased that it went ok and you were looked after well and were able to pass the time chatting with other arthritis sufferers. Good idea of DD's - take some biccies in next time. Always an icebreaker, if that is necessary and good on you for giving AC a good plug.

Luv
Elna x

ironic

Hi Iris, How are you today? Has the headache gone now?
Glad you had some company while you were there. It was a very long day for you so I'm not suprised you were washed out by it.
I really hope you start to feel the benefits over the weekend.

Lv, Ix

dreamdaisy

Morning dorcas, 'tis I, Diabolic Damsel, hoping that today finds you feeling a little brighter. If you are still a little under the weather then rest, that's the best thing to do. Have you started squeaking yet? Fancying a bit of cheese at very odd hours? DD

julie47

Morning dorcass

How you feeling today :?: Sorry I am late in asking you this question as you had the infusion thursday. :oops:

Was a long day for you so no wonder you were exhausted.

Hope today is better. xx julie pf

dorcas

Thanks Julie, Elna, Marion, Ironic, DD, Elizabeth, Tilly and Cris

Been feeling quite nauseous and weak at the knees all day yesterday and feeling the same creeping over me today. :?

It's not bad enough to drive me to bed but I do feel 'green'.

did you have that Tilly, Damsel when you were on Inflix.?

thanks,

Iris

elnafinn

Aw, dear Iris, I am so sorry to hear that. Feeling nauseous is not at all pleasant on its own, but the combination of feeling weak too is most definitely horrible. I wish I knew what to suggest. Hopefully those in the know will come to your aid and say these feelings do not last long.

Hugs to you,
Elna x

ps love your emoticon by your name

dorcas

Thanks Elna

you've not had much sleep...you ok?

I'm off to make a hot water bottle to cuddle........ funny how we resort to childhood 'comfies' when we feel a bit sickly.

Iris

ps. emoticons are so good.....seems to be one for every occasion.x

julie47

Oh dear iris

Sorry that you are feling a bit green, not a nice feeling

You do right getting the hot water bottle for comfort, have a nice easy day and feel better soon.

love julie pf xx

dreamdaisy

Hello dorcas, I am so sorry you are not feeling too good. These are powerful drugs, they can upset the system as we all know. I felt fine when I had mine, no side effects whatsoever. Sorry. Rest today, take things easy, perhaps some ginger or peppermint tea could help. DD

dorcas

thanks Julie and DD

I'll try the peppermint tea damsel, thanks.

Iris x

Rainbow77

Hi Dorcas

Sorry to hear that you are feeling a bit yucky. I have every sympathy and hope that it passes you soon. Make sure you drink lots of fluids and rest up until you feel a bit better.

Hope it works out for you

Fayann xxx

skezier

Hi Iris,

I am sorry your not feeling too good today. It takes a while cus they put all this stuff in you and your body has to absorb it and deal with the onslaught....... I really hope you start to feel better and get some benefit from it as well? Sending a cuppa and a best bit of dandelion I been saving for a bad day for you... its out of season now but found this one and kept it safe for you ((((( ))))) xx

dreamdaisy

I love the things you find to send to dorcas! A little pigeon with many original gifts! You are a star, my lovely skezier. DD

skezier

Hey DD quickly before iris picks it up have a leaf cus its full of healing draft and bone mender xx

marion1952

Hello Iris

Hope you feel a bit better tomorrow..

Marion x