I had 4 infusion - one a week for four weeks. I think they took about 5
hours except the last one which took nearly 10 but there was all that
mess that took place half way through.  My Remicade usually takes about
3 hours so this was longer. What I do not know is how much I was getting
at each infusion. They may have figure out by now that they get results
with less. Now this was done before the drug was approved for anything
but Non-hogkins lymphoma.
I knitted but that depends where the iv is inserted; I read; I work
logic problems or cryptograms or other puzzles. And I always sleep for a
couple of hours with all that benadryl.
I have sent Donna via email the following I found in my medical journal
which I keep in my PDA
*Finally think I have noticed energy rising and pain lessening last week
of vacation - first week ofJuly 2005
*fourth dose 5/16/05  Had bad reaction half way thru when meter was
turned all the way up. tongue swelled and throat began closing. gave iv
benedryl and something for the reaction; then restarted dose iv again
two spots lower than reaction occured. had no trouble with the rest of
the dose.
*Third dose 5/9/05   2 days later felt like molten lava poured into
every joint. [herxheimer reaction?]  Ultram didn't touch the pain. Was
gone in 48hrs.
*Second dose 5/2/05 had response minutes into dose lastest until
Saturday when stiffness in hands appeared. Sunday pain in hands
returned. Had an awful bout with fatigue on Saturday. Sunday better.
Monday awful again pain 8 - fatigue 10  Barely functioning & probably
shouldn't be driving.
*Began Rituxan Monday 4/26/05

Duckie