Is it ok to change remicade schedule?

[Tesscorm]

I have a question...

S needs to have his wisdom teeth removed... S is adamant he cannot miss school at ALL as he has a tough semester and is afraid to fall behind if he misses even one class. Dentist says he cannot wait to have the surgery as he is concerned about infection and damage being done to other teeth, and he wants to schedule surgery one week before or after infusion. So... we scheduled surgery for Tues, Feb. 18 (school break).

As of now, his next infusion SHOULD have been Sat Feb. 15 but they didn't have space so it's been booked for mid day Tues Feb. 11. S is really upset and says he cannot miss a whole day for remi. Rescheduling for the 15th is not really possible anyway as the centre is booked but they do have availability on Sat Feb 8.

Sat. Feb 8 would work better for both the dental surgery and S's schedule but I'm worried about moving up his remicade infusion by one week. Have sent GI an email but haven't heard back yet. Right now, infusion centre is tentatively holding the space for S for Feb 8 but will only 'hold' it until tomorrow. If I don't hear back from the GI, what do I do?

There's no harm moving the apptmt up one week and then going back to a 6 week schedule, is there? Would there be any risk that he'd then have to stay on a 5 week schedule, ie if he goes with a 5 wk interval this time, and a 6 week interval next time, could he build up antibodies?

Ugghh... just ONCE, wouldn't it be nice if schedules worked WITH us and not against us?!?!?


And, sort of off topic a bit... the fact that his next infusion should be been Feb. 15 and they scheduled for Feb. 11 - isn't that too big a change to be done in any case? Regardless of this dental issue...??

 

[Jenn]

Better to move it earlier than later. We had to move one of my son's up a week one time, and then just stayed on the normal schedule from that date. So hard to fit everything in, I know! Best of luck on the wisdom teeth.

 

[crohnsinct]

I once had to have O get an infusion a week early due to a trip and the fact that the trip would make her infusion two weeks late. GI opted for early and there weren't any issues. I would think you will be fine. Keep in mind though that any testing results may not be able to be directly compared to others (ie: inflammation, remi levels etc) as it isn't the exact same interval.

So let's say inflammation is down, you would have to keep in mind you are early in the interval so when it inches up at the next one it isn't a true increase...do I make sense?

Same with Remi levels if he pulls those (many docs in US don't anymore because it is so expensive and insurance won't approve) - if they are high this time and are lower next time probably attributable to schedule change.

 

[Lisa]

I agree - shouldn't be an issue, I would just then go back to the 6 bweek interval from the next infusion date.....

 

[Jmrogers4]

Thanks Tess was actually kind of wondering about this for this summer with camp and family vacation but didn't want to ask yet as y'all might think I'm crazy worrying about something 6 months away

 

[crohnsinct]

^^:rof::rof::rof: Well then call me crazy! I started worrying about O's next scope 4 months before the date that she might possibly have it...GI thought it would be fun to delay it yet another year:ylol:

 

[Jmrogers4]

CIC I can always count on you to join in - so either we're both crazy or incredibly sane. Now where is my bottle of wine because I'm definitely worrying about tomorrow. Figuring at least a bottle will let me sleep for a little while tonight.

 

[imaboveitall]

V's has been moved a week early as well, on two occasions. Was told they prefer early to late.

 

[my little penguin]

yep same here-
DS has had his moved early before for one reason or another.

 

[ryansbronco]

Whenever I have scheduling conflicts, I just call the IC scheduling nurse.
She is able to swing the schedule to fit my needs.

Is there another center near you that your insurance will bill? Very long shot, but worse case remicade can be done at urgent care / ER...

 

[crohnsinct]

Whenever I have scheduling conflicts, I just call the IC scheduling nurse.
She is able to swing the schedule to fit my needs.

Wow you are lucky! Appointments at our center can be sold on the black market. I tried to reschedule O's infusion for this Friday almost a month agao and I got a big fat nada for two weeks and then she would be so late for her infusion I needed doc approval. Will never understand how a pediatric infusion center only does 7:30 to 1:00 appointments.

 

[Tesscorm]

Thanks everyone!

Jacqui - you are, by far, not the only crazy one here! :rof: S's next GI apptmt is end May and, last time, GI mentioned he'd probably do an MRI then... I'm already thinking... hmmm, takes months here to get an MRI, if we only book end May, then S has to get back to school for end of August, I can see potential problems... hmmm, should I call ahead and start booking process in Spring? Even better why not start now? and then we can review results at May apptmt! :applause: (I know this makes sense to all of you but, just know I'd somehow come across as some neurotic, paranoid PITA mom to the GI office instead of just someone trying to anticipate schedule anxieties! :lol

And, CIC, with you on that black market...!

 

[crohnsinct]

CIC I can always count on you to join in - so either we're both crazy or incredibly sane. Now where is my bottle of wine because I'm definitely worrying about tomorrow. Figuring at least a bottle will let me sleep for a little while tonight.

Nervous? For infusion tomorrow? Well here's hoping it will be the first day of the rest of his beautiful, growth spurting, inflammation free life. Really infusions are pretty uneventful but if you are looking for a reason to enjoy a glass far be it from me! I have been using the cold weather as an excuse so I surely buy infusion nerves!

Sorry we hijacked your thread Tesscorm but since it has to do with wine I knew you wouldn't mind. :wine:

 

[Brian'sMom]

I agree that a week early won't matter. I also think the infusion center wouldn't do it if they thought it was a problem. Your infusion center most likely has nurses in there that do Remicade often. They probably know lots about what you should and shouldn't do.

 

[Tesscorm]

Hijackings are fine with me... as long as I'm bribed with wine!

Hope all goes well today Jacqui!!!!

PS. GI concurred with all of you! PITA moment gone to waste as it seems I needn't have bothered him with you all nearby! Remi moved up one week and then back to the six week schedule.