Hello all!
Does anybody know if you can have an infusion done anywhere or do you have to have it done at the doctor office? I am asking because my work doesn't seem to want to help me with time off to get it done, so I was hoping I could have the infusion on the weekends!!
Thanks
I know nothing about getting or where to get your infusions. However, if you need or require infusions, for medical reasons, I'm sure that would fall under the Americans with disabilities act. The ADA would require your employer to allow you to leave for your treatments without punishment. You definitely need to look into that.
If you're having a picline put in, it has to be done by a doctor, in the operating room. And you would probably have to schedule it for a weekend if that will be possible. That's only the pic line.
Infusing you can do at home. There are firms that supply your stuff, deliver it, and keep a record on amounts, etc. I did like 6 mos of infusing, at home. A surgeon put the picline in, and right from there I went somewhere else to have the first infusion done while they instructed me how to do it myself from then on. It's less expensive if you can do that.
I have to say I was happy as a clam to have that picline removed finally.
Good luck. Hope it isn't anything too serious.
Most infusion centers are closed on the weekends.
Hello. I looked at your other requests to see if you mentioned infusions already. It may be possible to have a nurse come to you to have the infusions done but maybe not. Depends on what is involved. Plus, according to the Benlysta site, it seems kind of invloved. http://www.benlysta.com/lupus-medication/benlysta-treatme... gives more detail if this is what you are asking about.
Anyway, Happymom is right. Medically necessary treatment is covered under ADA. If these infusions are medically necessary, your employer cannot prevent you from getting them. They must accomodate you if it would not cause an extreme hardship to their business. Maybe you could schedule them for the end of day or early morning so that you have most of your work covered. It looks like they would be every 2 weeks or so according to the site though you could have a reaction so be prepared for that. Definitely look into this. Be prepared with an action plan for coverage of your work if they balk at it. Show you're prepared with all your facts.
I had a friend that needed chemo and she had to be accommodated for her treatments. Though after a while they said that her taking a day per week was affecting the job and they could not do so any longer. All about profits--plus they let 100 other people go 3 weeks later.
My husband just had to get an infusion & it has to be done in the doctor's office. They need to monitor you closely in case you have a reaction to it. Plus they give you steriods and benadryl for it. He was at the office for 6-8 hrs. Had to take the day off of work. It was in Sterling Heights.
