@CitizenK 

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CitizenK

Drum Roll for Ocrevus tomorrow...

So, tomorrow I go in for my first Ocrevus infusion after five or so years on Tecfidera, which is no longer working for me "too many relapses in recent times" I'm kinda nervous if I'm honest more so for a rejection or bad reaction to the change in DMT? Any tricks or tips for a brother, about to break his Ocrevus v card; what should I expect?
@ItsMewithMS

I just started a couple of months ago and it went well. There will be a nurse with you watching you closely ;-) You will likely have somebody accompanying you? My husband came along. Reactions in the first infusion are common. They will be dosing you with stuff to minimize them or manage them I think it is benadryl type stuff. It was my husband that noticed one of my ears got red and I had a bit of a blotchy rash on a cheek. It didn't itch or feel hot, just some coloration so they stopped the infusion for like 15 minutes to manage that and then restarted. Finished without further incidence. For the 2nd half infusion a couple of weeks later there was no reaction so next time for the full infusion he doesn't need to come with. I brought along my laptop to work on a project but the nurse says people do that but feel a bit drowsy and typically just rest...I'm not typical as I did work on my photography project I had going ;-) didn't require too much concentration. Keep in mind that you will have an infusion set up in one arm so that will limit you somewhat...I went with my left arm so I could still use my right more. I also brought some snacks (nuts and hand fruit) and a book in case I didn't want to use my PC and just wanted to read. If you have someone to keep an eye on you then you are good but next time my husband doesn't need to come with (as the second infusion I had no issues) so I will bring a mirror with me just to spot any rashes or anything physical should it come up as I honestly didn't notice anything physically the first time. They keep a good eye on you ; -) you should do fine. I made sure and had a light meal when I got up before I headed to the infusion center and had a good glass of water. They gave me a bottle of juice which was nice as when they flush the line and start the benadryl stuff before starting the infusion there can be a metallic taste for some people. Good luck!

@CitizenK

Hi, I truly appreciate your advice & words words of encouragement, thankfully I got through it without any issues at all, the only thing that really affected was the antihistamines which made me drowsy & forced me to doze off part of the way through. I also took my laptop not for work per se but more so for the entertainment factor & to keep me occupied, along with a good book. Although you do end up meeting loads of people there with whom you can talk which is nice. And thankfully I end up with a lift home from somebody who lived quite close to me so I also managed to save on Cab fare which is always a plus. All in all the infusion went well with no complaints, my only hope now is that the drug works for me long-term and my relapses are few and far between, better still none at all "wishful thinking" but let's see how it goes... Many thanks once again... Be well & God Bless. Gerald