- Location
- Abingdon,
I was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, June 6th to start the TPN infusions. My first infusion was on Thursday, June 7th and this is how the cycle went:
6/7/12 - 24 hour TPN cycle
6/8/12 - 24 hour TPN cycle
6/9/12 - 12 hour TPN cycle (runs while I sleep)
At this point, they said all of my levels were looking good and I was to be released from the hospital and would have nurses come to my house to help me continue my TPN at home. After a while, I will have to set everything up by myself with only weekly visits from a nurse to draw blood, etc. So far, my home cycle has been:
6/10/12 - 12 hour TPN cycle
6/11/12 - 12 hour TPN cycle
I will be on a 12 hour cycle every night. I was told eventually (to be tapered off) I may go down to an 8 hour cycle, or a cycle of 3 days per week instead of every night.
As far as results go, I already feel increased energy. My skin is looking healthier, my hair looks healthier, I am able to move about more easily, my body has even started to fill out just a bit (I weighed 140lbs originally and was down to 100 so I was skin and bones) to the point where my muscle tone is returning. I have also noticed improvement in my bowels. I have less activity throughout the day and night, so I am able to sleep and relax more easily. I have noticed a reduction in my BM's and though I still have D, the texture is improving and not completely watery. I also had issues passing the coating of my Mesalamine medication, which could lead to some pain and discomfort. Since starting the TPN, I have not noticed the passing of any medication which leads me to believe the malnutrition I suffered from did not allow my body to break down the pills as easily.
The major downside to having this treatment (apart from risk of infection) is the frequency that you will have to urinate. During my 12 hour cycle, I probably wake up during the night 4-6 times to empty my bladder. This is because of all of the fluids and they need to be passed otherwise you'd have a much larger issue.
All in all, the TPN has been VERY successful in balancing my body and helping me to heal. I am able to absorb food a lot better, as before I was not absorbing anything (and it showed during BM's). I am also due for my 4th Remicade infusion in mid July and hope to see great results as I would be on a full month of TPN treatment by that point.
My GI told me the goal is to be on this treatment for 6-8 weeks until I can reach close to the weight I was prior to becoming severely ill (135-145 lbs).
If anyone has any questions, concerns, comments or anything at all they'd like to say - please feel free. I'd love to spread any information or hear what any of you guys have to say.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all feel better and get healthy!
6/7/12 - 24 hour TPN cycle
6/8/12 - 24 hour TPN cycle
6/9/12 - 12 hour TPN cycle (runs while I sleep)
At this point, they said all of my levels were looking good and I was to be released from the hospital and would have nurses come to my house to help me continue my TPN at home. After a while, I will have to set everything up by myself with only weekly visits from a nurse to draw blood, etc. So far, my home cycle has been:
6/10/12 - 12 hour TPN cycle
6/11/12 - 12 hour TPN cycle
I will be on a 12 hour cycle every night. I was told eventually (to be tapered off) I may go down to an 8 hour cycle, or a cycle of 3 days per week instead of every night.
As far as results go, I already feel increased energy. My skin is looking healthier, my hair looks healthier, I am able to move about more easily, my body has even started to fill out just a bit (I weighed 140lbs originally and was down to 100 so I was skin and bones) to the point where my muscle tone is returning. I have also noticed improvement in my bowels. I have less activity throughout the day and night, so I am able to sleep and relax more easily. I have noticed a reduction in my BM's and though I still have D, the texture is improving and not completely watery. I also had issues passing the coating of my Mesalamine medication, which could lead to some pain and discomfort. Since starting the TPN, I have not noticed the passing of any medication which leads me to believe the malnutrition I suffered from did not allow my body to break down the pills as easily.
The major downside to having this treatment (apart from risk of infection) is the frequency that you will have to urinate. During my 12 hour cycle, I probably wake up during the night 4-6 times to empty my bladder. This is because of all of the fluids and they need to be passed otherwise you'd have a much larger issue.
All in all, the TPN has been VERY successful in balancing my body and helping me to heal. I am able to absorb food a lot better, as before I was not absorbing anything (and it showed during BM's). I am also due for my 4th Remicade infusion in mid July and hope to see great results as I would be on a full month of TPN treatment by that point.
My GI told me the goal is to be on this treatment for 6-8 weeks until I can reach close to the weight I was prior to becoming severely ill (135-145 lbs).
If anyone has any questions, concerns, comments or anything at all they'd like to say - please feel free. I'd love to spread any information or hear what any of you guys have to say.
Thanks for reading and I hope you all feel better and get healthy!
