Good for you and bravo for your doc for doing the smart thing for YOU. Many people do fine with home infusions and some can even manage to do them on their own. As you say - it isn't for everyone.
As often as everything goes right there is always that time it doesn't. I had home infusions of IVSM for five days. Actually, make that four. The home infusion company required the first dose be given at the hospital or an infusion center since I had never received IV dosing before. One day the nurse showed me what to do and left a little early. Otherwise the RN stayed with me the entire time. They seemed to think it was what they should do.
Everything went fine but since I was feeling pretty s****y I was glad to have the nurses here to do the work. They seemed to think it was what they should do.
If I recall correctly WillowWoman, you have some issues with your blood sugar and blood pressure even when you aren't taking steroids. I'm glad you can stay in the comfort of your home and still get excellent monitoring to keep you safe.
HEY, you'll have to try "juicing" in your jammies at least one of your infusion days :-) It would be the best if we didn't have to feel so cruddy and get stuck with a needle just to get so pampered!
Mary
My neuro won't let me do that..He's ordered an RN to be there and administer each infusion and then for an LPN to follow up and check in on me..blood pressure, sugar, etc. for another 3 days. He also ordered a pump. Frankly, I wouldn't do it myself, I'd go outpatient. Not for me :)
I have had two rounds at home for optic neuritis. They will teach you how to flush the port and put the anticoagulant into the port. When I have had it, it is not "a drip," but a pressurized "infusion ball" that makes sure it takes an hour to go in. Not a big deal.
Bob
I did 5 days of at home IVSM in August. Everyone is different, but for me it was no big deal. They came and installed the port and showed me how to change the 'juice box'. Then they came back and took the port out. It's pretty easy but if your not comfortable, and the hospital is convenient, go for it!