Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Remicade Today (my hospital IV infusion for my Rhematoid Arthritis)

Hello my dear J-Land friends!

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone leaving comments in my journal, and particularly on yesterdays entry, Double XX Syndrome!

I noticed that I have quite a few new readers and I am so happy about that, I will come to visit your journals soon!

Today, I was at the hospital in NYC for my Remicade.  For those who aren't familiar with it, Remicade is a medicine for my Rheumatoid Arthritis.  The medicine is given via an intravenous infusion.  It works by suppressing a specific comenent of my immune system that is involved in the inflammation response of Rheumatoid Arthritis.  It has also been proven to slow down and even halt the damage to the joints from the disease, which is very important if I want to continue typing and walking! 

Last month, I had the beginnings of a reaction to the medicine.  This was my first visit since then and I have a new protocol to receive the medication.  They are giving me a double dose of Benedryl, via mouth, and Solumedrol, an IV dose of steroids, dampen any reaction.  They also gave me my Remicade very, slowly.  All went well, reaction wise.  Yay!

My veins are another story.  They were particularly persnickety today, and I now have the beginnings of three terrible bruises and my IV arm hurt like crazy.  Oh well.

The infusion makes me tired and gives me a bit of headache for about 48 hours, but then after that, I start to feel better and better.  It has proven to be the best treatment option for me so far.

I also visited with my rheumatologist before the Remicade and we went over my labs.  My lupus still seems to be in a remission, which is very good news.  She ordered a new panel of blood tests for this month, doing a few extra.  She does the whole kit and kaboodle like this about every 4 months to keep a close watch on everything.  Next month, it will go back to just the usual set. LOL

I will be laying low and may not get to visit as many journals as I would like to, or answer comments directly for a day or two, that is why I wanted to post this entry!

So many new journalers have stopped by and I don't want them to think I am ignoring them!  Thank you and please, keep coming!  You all help me through!

Be well,
Dawn 

 

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

No worries hon'...we will still be here.  Do you have a modified diet to help with the arthritis?  Glad to hear about the lupus...now I understand your "Be well".  You too hon'. ;)  C.  http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies

Anonymous said...

Dawn, I remember reading about your terrible reaction last month to your Remicade; you take care of yourself!!!

You, yourself, be well, like you are always telling us to be :)

betty

Anonymous said...

my oldest has rhuematoind arthiritis..very painful!
Becky

Anonymous said...

Dawn,
Take it easy and take care of yourself.
I'll be thinking of you.
Gem :-)

Anonymous said...

((((((((((Dawn))))))))) So glad it went well. I hope the reaction stays minimal. I have been thinking about you all day!

Send me an email when you're up and around.

Love ya,
Susan

Anonymous said...

As a new reader, I certainly didn't expect any attention anyway!  I hope you feel better, and I must say you write in a way that captures my interest.  Either way, I'll be back...gee I hope you don't take that the wrong way and think I am threatening you!

Rachael
http://journals.aol.com/rashgirl13/RachsDailyLife

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the kind welcom !!! I enjoy your journal. Glad things are going well with the treatments.

Ellen
http://journals.aol.com/eml625/Onedayatatime

Anonymous said...

Remicade is a wonderful thing.  My sister-in-law receives an IV once a month to keep her Chrohn's Disease under control.  Hope you are feeling better tomorrow.  

-jan

Anonymous said...

Hope you get to felling better soon

Deb

Anonymous said...

Overall, sounds like a good day. Painful though. I hope you feel better soon. IVs have always hurt me terribly.

From what I've read you're a very sweet woman. You're on my alerts!

And don't worry about stopping back by me lol Take your time. I'm not going anywhere lol ;o)

~Lily

Anonymous said...

Dear Dawn,
Sending positive thoughts and love your way! youare a tower of strength and joy
nat

Anonymous said...

Hi dawn i have to say after reading just a little of your journal i think you are keping your head up there high taking what i consider to be life changing drugs i know that your body needs them in order to work well but if i was in your shoes i don't know if i could be that brave . keep your chin i feel very lucky to have made some good friends here at j-land xx keep smiling hunnny love clarabell

Anonymous said...

Get well quick.

Anonymous said...

Sending prayers your way. I hope that you start feeling better soon.
*Louise*