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Should I start Entyvio now?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/5/2019 7:07 PM (GMT -6)
The doctor and I have been talking about this for a year and a half. Finally Entyvio was ordered for me 3 weeks ago and I had a big decrease in symptoms during those 3 weeks because I had just stopped Prednisone. I knew a long-term remission was highly unlikely but I wanted to see what would happen. As usual my symptoms are back and it looks like Entyvio and probably another course of Prednisone are in the future.

I have rare travel plans in the near future: a road trip to family this month, and a plane trip to care for a post-operative patient in January. I will be gone almost a week each time. Is there any reason to delay the infusions? Should I wear a mask on the plane? I understand that Entyvio is slow to act, but are there immediate side effects (like nausea, fever) that I should consider before starting this higher level of medication for the first time?

I am sticking to 9 Balsalizide daily and Rowasa every-other night. More frequent Rowasa/hydrocortisone/Canasa/Uceris foam have never been effective.
Posted 12/5/2019 7:59 PM (GMT -6)
No need to delay, I was traveling quite frequently when I started my entyvio with no problem. If you are going to have some sort of allergic reaction, you'll likely experience that reaction quickly (within minutes or hours).
Posted 12/5/2019 8:04 PM (GMT -6)
Were it me...I would start right away. Entyvio seems to be a fairly slow acting biologic...was for me, but it is working in my case and I've had NO side effects. As for travel....ugh...THAT'S been a real problem in my case. The urgency still rears it's ugly head from time to time; but since Entyvio began to actually work, life is MUCH better now. Best of luck to you
Posted 12/5/2019 9:21 PM (GMT -6)
I’ve also had absolutely no side effects with entyvio. It’s been pretty smooth sailing. I haven’t noticed any increased colds or flu. I think since it’s supposed to target only the gut that it’s not quite as immuno-suppressant as other biologics. I hope it works for you and you start feeling better soon!

Oh and as far as travel you’ll just have to time your loading doses. The second one will be 2 weeks after your first.
Posted 12/5/2019 10:04 PM (GMT -6)
I would start it ASAP. Good questions to ask your doctor though, too.
Posted 12/6/2019 9:50 AM (GMT -6)
No masks lol. I'd just take it, especially as entyvio is a pretty slow working biologic. It'll be a few months until Entyvio is at full effect/strength. No sense kicking that can further down the road. I understand your trepidation on staring something new, as I was quite worried to. I was fine, no side effects, and not any more sick than my normal ever since starting remicade.
Posted 12/6/2019 9:50 AM (GMT -6)
No masks lol. I'd just take it, especially as entyvio is a pretty slow working biologic. It'll be a few months until Entyvio is at full effect/strength. No sense kicking that can further down the road. I understand your trepidation on staring something new, as I was quite worried to. I was fine, no side effects, and not any more sick than my normal ever since starting remicade.
Posted 12/6/2019 2:21 PM (GMT -6)
Thanks everyone! It's unanimous and confirms what I was already thinking. There is no compelling reason to delay and I scheduled the first infusion in about 2 weeks and the second 2 weeks after that.

I will go to an infusion center that is not on the Entyvio website list (always looking for something to worry about) but it is associated with a trustworthy local hospital that is busy with chemotherapy patients and others. I was told that they are familiar with the medication but nothing was said about staying extra time after the first dose to watch for reactions. I will ask to look at the bottle.
Posted 12/6/2019 2:42 PM (GMT -6)
They didn't keep me after my Remicade infusions to watch for reactions. I wouldn't worry about the center not being on Entyvio's website. I'd just make sure your insurance covers them as an in-network provider if you have to worry about that where you live. I initially got my infusions at a hospital and it was WAY more expensive than going to a stand-alone infusion center, even though both were in-network. Good luck and I hope it works for you!
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