Infusion advice

Today my infusion center called. Apparently someone came in, had them start her infusion and 39 minutes in she said she "just now" got a text she had Covid. She had no idea she really had Covid...(hmmm then why would you get a Covid test?) Infusion place cancelled the other appointments, finished her infusion, are having a cleaning crew come in and they are all quarantining themselves for the 5 days. They asked if I wanted to schedule my infusion from next Tuesday to later in in the week or if I wanted to try to wait 10 to 14 days and then have my infusion.

I know what the CDC said--but they lowered those timeframes because of a health care workers shortage. I could not find any studies that indicate the virus has a shorter duration before you show symptoms. Is that correct? What would you all do?

And... My GI wants to raise my Remicade up to 10 so we can get my Remicade levels up (currently at 7.5 mg/kg) and my antibodies down faster--but I have to premedicate before Infusion and post medicate with benedryl for 24 hours after. (My throat swells and I wheez without the benedryl after my infusion-and yes it does last at least 18 hours.) Would you all leave it alone and hope for a slow raise or go for a faster one? He said the choice was mine. 12 weeks ago Remicade level was at 0 and my antibodies were 13.98. 6 weeks ago Remicade at 4 and antibodies were at 7. So it is improving. Unsure what to do because of the wheezing and I live 30 minutes from alittle country hospital and at least a couple of hours from Dallas.

BTW..GI said usually once you get those Remicade levels up and antibodies down the side effect go away. Anyone have any experience with this?

Any help or ideas would be appreciated!

Clo

Poopydoop,
Thank you for your response. I didn't find that when I googled it or I just missed it. I was in such a panic mode. My GI actually called me tonight at 9 pm. He has moved my appointment to the 18th because on the 11th he wants a Prometheus test done to check my trough levels so he knows what to do before my next infusion. (Hmmm, I could have sworn he said it was my decision. Lol) So that gives me some time to hopefully hear from the rest of the group here.

My GI also advised me that his office is calling all the Remicade patients to tell them they can not come in for their infusions if they are showing allergy symptoms or any of the Covid symptoms without a negative test. They may even start testing people before their infusions...all because of one person. The strangest thing he said was to not think that the Remicade infusion was going to work like the monoclonal antibodies to help you recover from Covid. Remicade is not a listed or approved treatment for Covid. He realizes that the monoclonal antibodies and the anti viral pills are not to be found in Texas at this time so we must continue to isolate and mask up. I'm wondering if those were things that the Covid positive person said to him. Hmmm. What a hot mess.

Thanks again for you help!

Clo

I agree poopydoop - unfortunately some people in Texas don't want to get vaccinated or wear a mask. They are usually those same people that selfishly go into an infusion place before obtaining the Covid test results... Or go in thinking that Remicade might just help them. 👿 Arrrgggh!

Sorry still venting. She messed up my whole time table. Now I am scrambling with the reschedule. Lol.

Thanks for the empathy. I needed it...