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Having to switch infusion centers

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/15/2023 7:37 PM (GMT -8)
So this week I found out I can no longer get Inflectra at my infusion center. I’ve been getting Inflectra at the infusion center that is part of my GIs office since I started in 2021. Not sure why they’re no longer offering Inflectra and it’s not an insurance issue but either way they’re transferring me to a new center.
This center does all kinds of infusions whereas the one I’ve been at only does Remicade, it’s biosimilars and Entyvio. Going somewhere that they don’t “specialize” in those worries me for some reason.
I don’t know why but I’m just nervous about switching locations and I dislike the sudden change up.
Ugh, just venting I guess.
Posted 3/16/2023 2:29 AM (GMT -8)
Are here other infusion centers near you besides the one they want to "transfer" you to? If so, go check them all out until you find one you feel comfortable with. Since there's a good chance that I will need to go to a new site in July (insurance) one day I went to check out the only other 2 infusion centers in my area. One I had gone to years ago and I hated it then but thought I would check it out in case it was different now, They only had 1 chair back then (they are mostly a home care infusion service) and they said they were going to remodel and have more chairs. Their "remodeling" was to put an infusion chair in the lobby with a portable screen so now they have 2 chairs. No thanks. The other site is further away (about 45 minutes) but it's really nice. If I have to switch that's the one I want to go to.

The site I currently go to is in a cancer center so they do all kinds of infusions. I never heard of a center that only does biologic meds. You shouldn't have any problems. I get the frustration with change. It's difficult enough to get used to needing these meds and we get comfortable with the way we get them. To have the rug pulled out from that comfort is unsettling.
Posted 3/16/2023 4:22 AM (GMT -8)
That’s a good idea to check out other infusion centers. I’ll do some research and see what’s in my city.

I guess it’s not as normal as I thought to go to an infusion center that only does biologics, it’s the all I’ve known so I guess I thought that’s how a lot of them were.

Yeah it’s definitely really just me being frustrated with how comfortable I am at my current location and now having to switch.
Posted 3/16/2023 5:21 AM (GMT -8)
I would consider it even an advantage to go to a non specialist infusion centre- then the staff should have more diverse expertise. I always had my infusions at the same hospital where my gastroenterologist worked (because that's how it's done in europe), we were put in a big room and not every patient was having infusions -- e.g. some were having a photos of their lungs, or doing allergy tests. It must be pretty boring as a nurse doing nothing but infusions all day? If you're worried, the main thing is to check the bag (or bottle) they attach to the end of the line to see if it's the right drug and dose 😄 (and yes, I did this..).
Posted 3/16/2023 9:39 AM (GMT -8)
My infusion center is run by the local hospital and does all kinds of infusions (a lot of blood transfusions) EXCEPT cancer as they have another facility dedicated to only cancer infusions. It’s nothing fancy but they have 8 chairs and have had the same nurses the entire time I’ve been there (6 yrs now). I really like all three of the nurses and they’re really good at getting my needle inserted the first time — they’ve been working on me so long now that they know how weird my veins are.

I would hate to have to change now! But CC had a good idea to go check out your options. For me it would be worth a longer drive to get a good facility. Entyvio infusions are only 30 minutes but I know remicade is much longer and who wants to be in an uncomfortable unfriendly place for that long!
Posted 3/16/2023 9:58 AM (GMT -8)
Agreed! I’m definitely going to check into this place they’re trying to send me to.
The city I live in I would say is a decently sized city and from what I can tell there are a few infusion centers to choose from that aren’t too far away.
I just hate change ha ha I really like the nurses I see now so it’s just unfortunate.
Today I’m trying to think positively and maybe I’ll like this place even more. Who knows.
Luckily they are letting me have one last infusion there tomorrow before I move on to the next place.
Posted 3/16/2023 10:00 AM (GMT -8)
Maybe ask your nurses for their recommendation! They might have some “inside” information like knowing the nurses at some of the other places.
Posted 3/16/2023 10:56 AM (GMT -8)
Flowers: that’s a great idea ! I will definitely ask them tomorrow !
Posted 3/17/2023 7:14 PM (GMT -8)

poopydoop said...
If you're worried, the main thing is to check the bag (or bottle) they attach to the end of the line to see if it's the right drug and dose 😄 (and yes, I did this..).

Oh, I always checked the bag. I'm so glad I no longer get infusions.
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