[Debbie D]

Bottles, tubes, etc...I've never had an infusion at home before...any one of you had experience with this? Do they keep a thingie in your arm for ease of entry for the entire 3 days? Does it take longer than going to the hospital for it?

[legzzalot]

They try to keep it in your arm. I found it is much more comfortable to do at home... but I have really bad veins so they ended up both times having to send a nurse out to move it every day for all 5 days. For some reason IVSM tends to make me motion sick so the car ride home after the IV was horrible.

[barb02]

I have only had iv steriods once and I went back and forth to the clinic for the 5 days. I had no idea at the time that you could have it done at home. It was not mentioned as an option. Hope it helps!

[kats]

I'm the opposite - when the doc told me I needed IVSM ASAP I went to the infusion place and they had me do the first one there and I did the next 2 at home. Now that I know you can do it in the hospital too, I'm glad I did it this way. There's a shunt in your arm with a covering over it so it's easy to access it when you need to. I didn't know I was supposed to drink a lot of water beforehand so they had trouble accessing the vein on the outside of my forearm so they did it on the inside. Drink lots of water! I only had to do it for 3 days total (1 hr each) so it wasn't a big deal. There is a weird taste so make sure you have some mints or gum handy. I had more trouble with the days afterward dealing with the side effects than the infusion itself. Ambien CR became my friend Lots of people tell me, "oh, I could never have done that!" and I say YES you can!

[Debbie D]

I've had IVSM before, but at the hospital...3 days the first time, then 1 day each month until I quit seeing that neuro...after the first time, the stuff didn't do much for me...I hope this at least lessens the spasms so I can sleep and function better.
So if you have that thingie in your arm for the whole time, does that mean you can't exercise or shower?

[Dejibo]

most folks use saran or plastic wrap to cover the IV site. Make sure its a water tight seal before you shower, and try hard to avoid soaking it. I normally ask them to try hard for my left arm, since I use my right constantly. When your shower is over, take off the damp mess that will now be clinging to your arm, and make sure to PAT dry. DONT RUB. just dab, and pat. use a blow dryer if you need to to make sure that area is really dry again.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

[hollym]

I've done it at home many times. I always have them leave it in because I am a hard stick. The nurse who always came to do my infusions said that her MS patients were a mix of people - some wanted it left in and others wanted it removed every day. I use Glad Press & Seal in the shower because it sticks better. I keep the hep lock thing covered with gauze when not in use.

In my opinion, it is much nicer to do at home. You can really be more comfortable and the stuff always wipes me out, so it is nicer to not have to drive back and forth.

[Lady]

Debbie, I always do it at home. I have the infusion nurse put the Heploc in and I just connect up each day. It is not hard if they give you the longer tubing so you can reach the connector with both hands.

It is hard to do with one hand so ask for longer tubing. They mail you both with the drugs. It is easy and cheaper and no traveling. A family member could hook you up, even a kid can do it.

For the 5 days I have the Heploc. After in for 3 days, have the nurse come back and put it in the other arm for the next two days. I don't like it in one arm too long.

I cut the foot part out of a very soft, cozy sock, and after taping the tubing in place with paper tape, I cover it with the soft fluffy sock for sleep. I put my arm in a small garbage bag with a rubber band at the top to shower.

I had 10 days of going to the hospital every morning on time, very early, and the traveling was terrible when you don't feel well as it is. Resting at home or moving in your own home while it drips it great, JMO.

Ins co. should love it, it is cheaper than the hospital costs. This is a picture of a hospital one, but almost the same at home with less tubing.

[Debbie D]

Thanks all for the info...

[SallyC]

Good luck with the ROIDS, ((((Debbie))))