Good morning...I am in a habbit of waking up at 4 or 5 am and can't seem to change it. Maybe I'm thinking too much about my first Infusion of Entyvio on Dec 8th. Besides hydrating a lot the day before and day of, should I be doing anything else with diet etc to help with possible side effects?

My appointments are right around Holiday functions so I wonder if I will be tired or have a headache the day after an infusion. I do not normally have headaches, but sometimes have sinus pressure headaches. I've heard about taking antihistamines before infusion?

Thanks for the support...Sassy

If you are prone to sinus headaches, I say yes on taking a Claritin, staying consistent makes it work much better. Some do take it before an infusion.

There is no need to make any dietary changes because of Entyvio. It's hard to say if you will be tired after the infusion. Try to relax, your anxiety is causing you more stress than anything.

Keep yourself busy between now & then.

Well I will be sure to bring lip balm and hydrate. And I look into Claritin. Thanks! One week to go...
I hope it works too.

Sassy

I’ve been on Entyvio since Oct 2022 and I find the infusions very easy. I’ve never been at my clinic for longer than 45 minutes. The key for me is to drink a lot of water the day before and morning of. I got headaches for the first few infusions, but that has gone away. I hope it works for you! There’s also an Entyvio group on FB that has lots of great info — joining that group might be helpful for you. I was very nervous for my first infusion and reading more in that group helped me.

UPDATE- yesterday i had my 1st infusion. Total time there was just over 1 hrs. The first problem was my first vien blew out so she had to use the inside elbow. I was freezing the entire time, so next time I'm dressing for the cold. It was nice my nurse was really nice and attentive.
My blood pressure was high before, a little lower in between, then higher post infusion. I think it was just nerves as I was back to normal in the evening. I am to keep checking. I have had a tightness in my chest for weeks on and off. Not sure if it's heart burn, because my husband says I am a hypochondriac. Which I probably are. So..the only side effects so far is I am tired.
Next infusion Dec 22. I'm not as worried now..
Sassy

Yes take a blanket with you next time! My facility is part of the hospital so they have a blankets and a blanket warmer! Love those warm blankets! I have tricky veins too and we always use my left elbow because it seems to be the easiest. I’ve had the same nurses now for all 6-7 years so they’re familiar with my veins now and we don’t usually have problems anymore. I’ve found too that the more nervous I am the worse my veins are. Being nervous is normal — I still occasionally get a case of nerves at my sessions. But you’ll feel more comfortable and confident with each one! 🤞fingers crossed entyvio is your answer!

At my last session the guy next to me was there when I got there at 11 and was getting some kind of timed infusion — I left about noon and the nurse was doing math trying to see if she could get his infusion done for him to make his cancer dr appt before they closed at 4. It made me very thankful that my infusions are so easy. Actually the chairs (about 6-7) were all full when I got there and those patients were all still there when I left. So I’m very lucky.

Hey Sassy!
Yep an antihistamine the day of the infusion. And even for 1-2 days after, is a good idea.
Hydration is super important.
Re the iron: try Iron bisglycinate taken on empty stomach with some vitamin C (even just 120 mg vit C) to help it absorb well.
And last but not least: from what I've heard Entyvio is the safest of all biologics. Let's hope you achieve long and deep remission on it.

Good luck!

It usually takes a long time for Entyvio to work. If you had an immediate response that's a good sign. By the time you have your 1st maintenance infusion you will know if it's working. For now be patient. Oral iron supplements can cause intestinal problems. But my guess is it's just a continuation of your flare that is causing the diarrhea and frequency. Entyvio is not that fast acting for most people, but once you get in remission you will love it. The infusions are fast and you will pretty much be able to forget about UC between them.

What I figured out regarding food — for me anyway — is that when your gut is all inflamed some food is like putting salt on an open wound. It’s not that you can never eat that food again — just not when you have ongoing inflammation. Coffee will stimulate your bowels to move. Some days it might affect you more than other days. For now eat a bland diet and try to cut out sugar and processed foods.

After my first infusion I felt very strong that night. I didn’t have a lessening of symptoms right away but that feeling of strength when I’d been at my weakest gave me hope. So I’d take hope from your good day.

I’d say by the end of my loading doses I was seeing a lessening of symptoms— not remission yet , and still having bad days, but with a few good days thrown in here and there. Patience is hard! 😀