I just had my first Ocrevus infusion, so I am very much still learning what works for me. I have a feeling this list will morph, grow, and change with every infusion—especially as I learn what I actually use during those long appointment days.
That said, these are the things I either brought, used, or think are worth bringing to an Ocrevus infusion. Everyone’s infusion experience, clinic setup, symptoms, and comfort needs will look different, so take what works for you and leave the rest. This is not a medical checklist; it is simply a little collection of things that made me feel more prepared and comfortable.
I also get quite a few questions about how to support a friend or family member with chronic illness. Bringing them a few of these comfort items, their favorite snack or drink, or even offering to make them a sheet-pan dinner for after their infusion can be such a meaningful way to show up. Infusion days can be long and tiring, and having someone help make the day, or the recovery afterward, a little easier is a huge gift.
Clothing
These clothing items helped me stay comfy and at my ideal temperature throughout my Ocrevus infusion.
Short Sleeve Shirts
My love for bamboo clothing started long before chronic illness, but it has only grown since entering this world. Bamboo is soft, breathable, comfortable, and gentle on sensitive skin, all things that matter a lot when you are sitting in an infusion chair for hours.
Pants
Similar to the shirt, bamboo pants are soft, breathable, and incredibly comfortable. As someone who also struggles with hidradenitis suppurativa, I basically live in mine. The moisture-wicking fabric has been genuinely helpful for me and has made them a great option for long medical days.
Heated Vest
During an infusion, your arms need to stay available for your line and for blood-pressure checks, which can make layering a little tricky. That is one of the many reasons I love my heated vest. If I get chilly, I can turn it on while keeping my arms free and accessible. Pairing a heated vest with a cozy blanket is my ideal infusion-day temperature-regulation combo.
Food & Beverages
Ocrevus is a fairly long infusion so having things to snack on and hydrate with make the time pass little quicker and makes the whole thing slightly more enjoyable.
Jolly Ranchers
These are a must for infusions for me. They help keep my mouth from tasting weird while I am getting steroids. With Ocrevus, the steroid premedication is usually given as a short IV push, so it was not nearly as intense as a full steroid infusion—but it still left a little gross taste in my mouth.
The Ocrevus itself did not leave a weird taste for me, so snacking was absolutely possible.
Water Bottle
I am a cold water kind of gal so having my water bottle vs the plastic cups is really nice. I love that is one has a straw and a normal spot to drink. I also like that is seals. A, no spills; B, I like to pretend infusion center germs can't get in.
Electrolytes/Water Flavoring
As someone with POTS hydrating with electrolytes is super duper important for me; LMNT has been my go to for a while. If I was someone that didn't have POTS I think I would still bring some sort of water flavor; because sometimes hospital water tastes yucky.
Charcuterie or Snack Box
I am a snacker and a charcuterie lover, so we recently got this snack box and it is perfect for building fancy mini meals. My husband and I like to grab meats, cheeses, fruit, sweet treats, and crackers from Costco and build little boxes for easy snack dinners, and now, infusion days.
My biggest pro tip: store the crackers separately so they do not get sad and soggy.
A Fun Beverage
Similar to snacks, the sky is the limit here. Bring something yummy that makes hydration feel a little more exciting.
I would be mindful of what you choose, especially because you may be receiving saline and steroids can raise blood pressure and heart rate. Some drinks can absolutely make that worse for certain people, so it may be worth skipping extra caffeine or anything you already know does not agree with you.
Tech Items
As someone who is chronically ill, I am also chronically online, for better or for worse. So these are the things I bring with me to stay connected and entertained.
Phone & Watch Charger
I love this 3-in-1 charger for travel and now for the infusion center it folds up charges pretty fast and gets the job done!
Portable Power Bank
A portable power bank is always worth bringing for a long infusion day. It keeps your phone, headphones, tablet, and even your smartwatch charged without needing to hunt down an outlet near your chair. Just make sure it is charged the night before and pack the cords you need.
Tablet
I did not end up using my tablet during my first infusion, mostly because my husband was there to yap with me. But in the future, especially if I go alone, I can absolutely see myself using it to watch a show or movie.
Earbuds
These little headphones are attached to my purse and go with me everywhere. They are great for watching videos, listening to music, or playing an audiobook while still being able to hear what is happening around you.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
I was lucky enough to have a private room for my first infusion, but that may not be the case for everyone. If you expect to be in a shared space, or if you are easily overstimulated, noise-canceling headphones are a must in my opinion.
Creature Comforts
These are the things that either did or would have made my infusion a lot more comfortable and a lot more manageable.
Comfort Item
Bring a comfort item! This can be a blanket or stuffed animal. For me it is the ridiculously plush, silly seal pillow. It is cushy and often doubled as a prop for blood draws.
Blanket
As I mentioned, I usually run cold and I also just like to be comfy. A fuzzy, soft blanket is one of the easiest ways to make an infusion chair feel a little less clinical. I also could have definitely slept during this infusion, and a blanket would have made that even more tempting in the best way.
Sleep Tools
Ocrevus made me sleepy. Like, very sleepy. I could absolutely see myself taking a nap during a future infusion, especially if I am there for several hours. For that, I love my Loop earplugs and a sleep mask. They are small, easy to pack, and can turn an infusion chair into a slightly more nap-friendly situation.
Folding Fan
I am usually someone who runs cold, but recently, with all the changes to my conditions and medications, I have had a much harder time regulating my temperature. I always bring tools that can help me manage that, because both freezing to death and sitting in a puddle of your own sweat are equally miserable.
Medications
For me, these are non-negotiable. I have medications I need to take throughout the day, plus medications that help when things get rough, so having them with me is always helpful.
For Ocrevus specifically, your infusion center may instruct you to take Tylenol and an antihistamine before your appointment. Follow the instructions from your infusion team, and make sure they know what you have taken and when. I personally feel like it is worth having a couple extra on hand.
