Posted , 6 users are following.
I maybe changing from Humira to Remicade. I did not know it was an infusion and wondering how do they do it? Do they stick a needle in your arm and do you have to go to the hospital? How long does the infusion take? This kinda terrifies me. I would like to know others experiences and how it did for them. Thanks
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Buckeyes Guest
Posted
I have a friend who has Simponi infusions. She goes to the hospital and has an IV. Hers takes about 30 minutes. I've heard some can take much longer. I can't remember how often she goes. I take a Simponi injection at home monthly and I know she doesn't have to take it that often.
hope this helps some
let us know how you do.
Rowbirdie Guest
Posted
Hi River
i felt the same before my first infusion of Rituximab, another biologic.it s the unknown isn't it along with the list of possible side effects.
I just told myself I was in good hands as the outpatients infusion unit must be doing this all day , every day.
i had to not have any infection to go ahead on the day. I sat in a comfy chair and they put a cannula into a vein. then use tape to keep in place on my hand and attach a long tube which leads to a bag with the liquid med in.For me that was into a little vein on top of my hand. For some others it was one on their wrist. I think they just look for best vein. That s the fussy bit. Once that s over I just sit back and relax- read- snooze- eat lunch! But mine takes about 5 hours. I have 2 infusions 2 weeks apart then nothing for 6 months. I don't know what they do with infliximab( Remicade) I think it s a lot less time.
they monitor bp etc every 30 mins . They can slow down rate of infusion if need be.
so you will be in experienced hands.
to be honest, I would feel far more nervous about injecting myself !
Like all things, it gets more routine the more you have it done and for me it was a turn around in my condition so I look on it now as a rest day where I get a reboot! I take stuff to read so I don't get bored.
all the best
cindy52759 Guest
Posted
It is not bad at all. I'm not sure where you live but in the States you go to an infusion center. There are people there getting cancer treatments, RA, MS and others. You sit in a lounge chair, very comfy, they then put a needle in your vein. They give you benadryl to make sure you don't have an alergic reaction. That takes about 20 minutes going in and then the Remacade takes about 2 hours. I usually sleep through the whole thing because the Benadryl makes me sleepy but you can read, watch something on your Ipad, talk on the phone, work, whatever you want to do. You can bring food and drinks. They often have drinks there for you and crackers. It really isn't bad. When I went in the first time, I could barely move, nothing worked for me, I was at my wits end and the pain was just debilitating as I'm sure you all know. My doctor told me it would take 3 months to work, I didn't know if I could last that long. It took 3 days! I was dancing, literally that weekend! I have never looked back. If I had to lay there for 8 hours I would because that's how good I feel now. There are some issues of course, as in any drug. Your auto immune system is now jeopardized and they will check your blood work for any effect on your liver but that can be with any medication you take with RA. I would highly recommend it!