Tips for a Successful I.V. treatment

When I was first diagnosed with UC my doctor reccomened the standard pill treatment. I took 3 to 4 horse pills everyday while also taking prednisone to try and get things under control. However as we ended the prednisone treatment the UC symptoms increased again. Obviously we could've kept me on prednisone but for the safety of my family and the world as a whole we decided instead to change medications all together. I started an I.V. medication Remicade and I've been on it since. 

You may have some questions about all this so let me briefly explain how things work. I schedule my I.V. appointment through my Drs office and on the scheduled day I arrive at my local hospital. After checking in and getting my wrist band I go to outpatient short stay. They get me checked in and in a room. A standard room has a little reliner for me to sit in as well as a few chairs for others and all the equipment needed by the nurses to perform my procedure. Then they check my weight (the medications quantity is based off of weight and they mix it up in the hospital pharmacy) and do my vitals. Then the nurse gives me my pre-meds (Tylenol and benadryl) to help with any side-effects from the medication. And they get an I.V. in my hand. Once the medication arrive they hook everything up and I hang out for a few hours while the bag of meds empty. Once that's done they remove the I.V. and send me home. Ta-da! Now that you know the jist of the experience you can better appreciate my 10 tips for an I.V. treatment. 

1. Dress comfy! (And warm) Sounds weird but honestly go in PJs, bring the slippers, and above all don't choose fancy outfits that require lots of clasping and stuff! You are having huge amounts of fluids pumped directly into your blood stream you'll be using the bathroom a lot. Also ask for those warm blankets! They are a godsend and sooooo nice. 

2. Just like with an airplane, download your media entertainment before hand. You will want to watch a movie or read a book or listen to music. However in my experience hospital free WiFi isn't the greatest so download ahead of time to save your data and have better streaming in the moment. 

3. Bring a friend. Before Covid-19 I always asked a friend or family member to drive me. I usually feel pretty sleepy afterwards and it gives me someone to talk to. That's not to say you can't go by yourself and be just fine but it's nice to not be alone. 

4. Be an advocate for yourself!! I cannot stress this enough! If you know which hand you like the I.V. in tell them nurses! If you want apple juice to drink instead of water ask for it. Don't be a "Karen" or anything but speak up for yourself and take care of yourself. Your future self will be grateful for your courage. 

5. Use lidocaine! Lidocaine is the numbing medication that they can put in your hand before the I.V. to help with any pain or discomfort. USE IT!! You will be more comfortable and less anxious if you know its not gonna hurt. And when necessary be a self advocate and ask for it from your nursing staff. 

6. Be okay with napping. Benadryl makes me sleepy but even if it didn't you get bored sitting in a little room. Let yourself rest I.V.s aren't easy and your body needs you to take care of yourself. Don't come into your I.V. with a huge to-do list (unless you can be forgiving if you don't get it done) just allow yourself the time to relax and rest. 

7. Get to know the staff. You will have I.Vs anywhere from every 6 weeks to every 8. Get to know these people, try to remember them and their lives. It makes the experience nicer to feel like you're going to visit some friends instead of being sick at a hospital. 

8. Go easy on yourself after the I.V. don't make plans for that evening. Don't over use your hands and don't be surprised if it takes a few days for you to feel 100% again. Be patient with yourself! 

9. Expect it to not go well sometimes. Sometimes the I.V. isn't gonna go in well. Sometimes the medications will take longer to get from the pharmacy. Sometimes it's gonna hurt more than others. Sometimes you'll get giant bruises. This is all OKAY!!! For every time it doesn't go well there will be 3 times it does. Also be patient as the staff and you get used to things it's gonna take a few visits to find your rhythm. 

10. Find something to be grateful for. Sounds silly and sorta unrelated, but if you can find something to be grateful for you will find joy. There is some much you have been given and remembering that will keep you kind and happy. Life is hard, this might be hard too. But don't give up!