Infliximab infusion

Day 857.

This week it was time for my Infliximab infusion. Sometimes that's also called a Remicade infusion. I have mine every 6 weeks, and the infusion itself takes 1 hour.

Checking my blood test results

Before it can start though, the team at the hospital reviews my blood test results. I have to go for a blood test 1 or 2 days before my infusion.

This week my liver numbers were a bit off - as it has been since last year now. My kidney numbers were off before my last infusion, and they were a little worse this week too.

The nursing team who administer the infusion escalated this to a doctor on duty for review. This is standard for any unusual numbers to make sure the infusion can go ahead safely.

I have only had one time where my infusion didn't go ahead in the past, with a high CRP result.

Chatting with the doctor

A junior doctor came to see me. He made a point of saying he wasn't a registrar. Good to know the hospital hierarchy, I tell you. That made me chuckle.

He spoke to me for a while. He was mainly worried about my kidney numbers.

Creatinine 100 umol/L

eGFR 60 mL/min/1.73m2

We spoke about my current symptoms for a while. I have been very tired recently, but pretty much attributed it to lack of sleep or general sarcoidosis fatigue. I have been a little constipated recently. I have had some palpitations as well - possibly a bit more than I have had previously. And I have been having hot flushes or sensations of being warm.

We checked my legs for swelling (edema), and there was only a little visible. I am still on Furosemide to control the swelling.

Next steps

The infusion ultimately went ahead - just an hour and a half later than expected.

The junior doctor will send a note to my GP. I have to go for a follow up blood test in 2 weeks time.

He is worried it may be caused by Furosemide. I have been on that medication since February for the swelling in my legs and shortness of breath. I had no idea that that might cause kidney issues.

The doctor inferred it may have disturbed the balance of the other medication that I am on. There was also a bit of grumbling about GPs prescribing things and how only one doctor should be doing that for me. I didn't want to trigger him more by telling him it was my cardiologist that prescribed it, and not my GP.

Hopefully we will find out what is going on soon.