How To Determine If Treatment Is Right For You
For patients who find oral medication to be ineffective, infusions may be the only viable solution. However, it may not be ideal for patients who are unable to make it into the office for infusions several times each month, although most rheumatologists can work out a time that is convenient for the patient in order to make the process easier. The best way to determine if infusion therapy for arthritis treatment is appropriate is to discuss all treatment options with a rheumatologist.
Book An Iv Rheumatology Therapy Appointment
If you are suffering from the effects of RA or another rheumatology condition, infusion therapy may be able to help. To learn more or to book your appointment, give IV Infusion Treatment Center a call at 954-248-3422. We have 4 South Florida locations Coral Springs, Kissimmee, Orlando, and Atlantis for your convenience.
What You Need To Know
Not all rheumatoid arthritis patients are viable candidates for this treatment. You should speak with a qualified rheumatologist about your options. While side effects do not tend to be severe, some patients report a drop in blood pressure following their treatments. If you are currently on a medication to control your blood pressure, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking it prior to your first IV infusion therapy appointment.
Generally, side effects of this treatment dissipate within the first 24 hours, but may include:
- Dizziness
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What Is Biologic Infusion Therapy For Ra
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs are medications that can slow the progression of RA by suppressing the actions in your immune system that trigger the inflammation and resulting pain linked to the disease.
Biologics are a new type of DMARD. Unlike traditional DMARDs, such as methotrexate, which suppress the immune system in general, biologics offer a more targeted treatment approach.
Some biologics, for instance, target the T cells responsible for inflammation, while others attack B cells triggered by your immune system. Biologics are considered generally more effective overall than older drugs and can reduce the risks of potential side effects related to traditional DMARDs.
There are several different types of biologics available, some of which are delivered via injection. Other biologics must be administered by intravenous infusion, which we provide here at our West County Rheumatology office. Infusion therapy delivers the biologic directly to your bloodstream, which enhances its effectiveness and helps speed up the anti-inflammatory response.
For a treatment strategy that focuses on reducing your symptoms as it slows the progression of RA, schedule a visit with Dr. Kamat today. Call the office or book your appointment online.
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Which Infusion Medication Will I Get
Your doctor will discuss with you which biologic is most appropriate for your diagnosis. You should talk about the pros and cons of each as part of the . Biologics target different specific parts of the immune system. Your doctor may feel one drug is better for you than another because of how it works on the immune system.
- Golimumab and infliximab inhibit an immune system protein called tumor necrosis factor
- Abatacept blocks signaling to a different part of the immune system called a T cell
- Rituximab targets B cells
- Tocilizumab blocks an immune system protein called interleukin-6, or IL-6
The other big factor is your insurance. Your coverage may dictate a certain medication over another.
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Adjusting To Biologic Infusions
If you and your doctor decide that biologic infusions are the way to go, you may feel mixed emotions: relief at knowing youve decided on a treatment plan, but nerves about what lies ahead for ongoing infusion treatment. Visions of needles and IV bags cause a lot of anxiety, reports Arliz Luna, FNP, whos been administering infusions at Pacific Arthritis Care Center in Los Angeles for 17 years .
The good news is that the biologic drugs used in infusions have evolved tremendously over the past couple of decades. There are now multiple medication options that can help stop the progression of your disease, either alone or in tandem with other disease-modifying medications like methotrexate. Even though its daunting, its crucial to start the treatment as soon as possible after your doctor approves it.
These autoimmune diseases are systemic, which means if you constantly have inflammation running through your body, it doesnt just affect your joints, it can affect your organs, Luna explains. Long-term consequences can lead to heart attacks or lung problems.
I was a skeptic for years, admits Aime Cole, who was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at 27. She went 10 years without biologics even though her rheumatologist wanted her to take them. She tried diet, exercise, and natural herbs and supplements first, but continued to get worse. I wish Id listened and started back then. It couldve saved me a lot of heartache.
Tips To Reduce Your Risk Of Infection
- Try to avoid close contact with people you know have an infection.
- Wash your hands regularly and carry around a small bottle of antibacterial hand gel.
- Keep your mouth clean by brushing your teeth regularly.
- Stop smoking if you’re a smoker.
- Make sure your food is stored and prepared properly.
- Try to keep your house clean and hygienic, especially the kitchen, bathrooms and toilets.
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Symptoms Of Pagets Disease Of The Bone:
People who have Pagets disease of bone typically have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common complaint is bone pain.
Because this disease causes your body to generate new bone faster than normal, the rapid remodeling produces bone thats softer and weaker than normal bone, which can lead to bone pain, deformities and fractures.
The disease might affect only one or two areas of your body or might be widespread. Enlarged and misshapen bones can put extra stress on nearby joints, which may cause further pain and complications. Symptoms, depend on the affected part of your body.
- Pelvis. Pagets disease of bone in the pelvis can cause hip pain.
- Skull. An overgrowth of bone in the skull can cause hearing loss or headaches.
- Spine. When the spine is affected nerve roots can become compressed. This can cause pain, tingling and numbness in an arm or leg.
- Leg. As the bones weaken, they may bend causing you to become bowlegged.
Fda Approves A New Infusion Drug For Rheumatoid Arthritis
NBN Infusionsprovides a comprehensive nursing and pharmacy program that services patients of all ages from pediatrics to geriatrics. NBNs on-site, licensed pharmacy provides all required medications and equipment that patients will need for the duration of their home infusion therapy. Home Infusion Therapy involves the administration of medications using intravenous, subcutaneous and epidural routes. This care is administered to patients in the convenient and comfortable surroundings of their own home and allows them to take a more active role in their own health care. Home Infusion Therapy is not only more cost-effective than inpatient treatment, it eases the stress and anxiety of treatment resulting in better patient outcomes.
There are 1.3 million people in the United States that are currently living with Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is a chronic inflammatory condition. Symptoms include pain, stiffness and inflammation of the joints, which can sometimes lead to destruction of the joints and even disability in some cases. Although there are medications for the treatment of RA, there is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Due to the amount of people living with this condition there is always a driving need to develop better treatments, thats why the success of clinical trials are so exciting. One of the clinical trials that held so much promise may be in route to providing help to so many people in need.
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Infusion Therapy For Rheumatoid Arthritis & More
IV infusion therapy is just one of the services we offer at Southland Rheumatology Center, and after thorough conversations with your rheumatologist, well be able to determine if IV therapy is right for you. We generally provide the following solutions for patients:
- IV infusion for osteoporosis
- IV infusion for rheumatoid arthritis
- IV therapy for athletes with inflammation
If youre struggling with any of the above, its time to consider IV therapy as a long-term solution to your pain, discomfort and loss of mobility. Reach out to us to learn more Dr. Nayak and her team are happy to discuss your options with you!
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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Infusion Therapy In Ra
This treatment is not appropriate for all people with rheumatoid arthritis . Although side effects are rarely severe, some people report a drop in blood pressure because of their treatments. If you are taking blood pressure medication, your doctor may advise you to stop taking it before your first intravenous infusion therapy appointment.
In most cases, side effects of this treatment subside within the first 24 hours, but they may include:
- Allergic reactions
If you’ve been diagnosed with RA and haven’t seen any improvement with standard treatments, intravenous infusion therapy may be a good option. Doctors will decide if you are a good candidate for this treatment.
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Infusions Every 8 Weeks After 3 Starter Doses
REMICADE® is given as an intravenous infusion by a healthcare professional through a needle placed in a vein in your arm.
Given over a period of about 2 hours
Weeks 0, 2, and 6
After starter doses, 1 maintenance dose is infused every 8 weeks*
Your doctor will determine the right dosage of REMICADE® for you and how often you should receive it.
*Your doctor can also adjust your dosage and/or dosing schedule if you are still experiencing joint symptoms. If your REMICADE® dosage is increased, it is important to talk with your doctor about the increased possibility of infection.
What About Fatigue Ive Heard Infusions Can Really Wipe You Out
The biggest issue Ive experienced after my infusion is fatigue. Like bone-tired exhaustion. Nurse Luna says its normal to feel almost flu-ish. The medications are attacking those inflammatory cells so your body is really working during this time after an infusion. As time goes on, symptoms like fatigue can dissipate.
I sleep a lot the first few days after my infusion and Im not alone. Im tired the rest of the day and a little nauseous but its not bad, Christman-Schaefer confirms. Konett, a high school teacher, always take the next day off after her infusion. I tried not to once and just crashed. The infusions make me so tired.
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Types Of Infusion Therapy For Osteoarthritis
Four kinds of infusion therapy are used for osteoarthritis:
- Cortisone injections
- Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy
- Stem Cell therapy
Cortisone is a steroid which encourages healing in the affected joint. Steroid infusion therapy can treat a variety of ailments besides osteoarthritis. Patients report differing results. Steroids aid healing and reduce swelling, which eases the pain.
Cortisone infusion therapy can relieve osteoarthritis for weeks or months per treatment. Hyaluronic acid lubricates the joint. This helps relieve inflammation. As an infusion therapy, it is injected in very small amounts into the affected joint.
Platelet-Rich Plasma infusion therapy is a relatively new development in medicine. It uses blood plasma from elsewhere in the patients own body to nourish the inflamed joint. Injected into the inflamed area, platelet-rich plasma does not directly aid healing. Instead, it helps promote and encourage other healing functions of the body.
Stem Cell therapy was initially controversial. Nowadays, it uses ethically sourced cells from the patients own body. A stem cell is a blank cell, the building block of any other cell within the human body. Stem cells have demonstrated regenerative properties as an infusion therapy for many ailments. The stem cells repair damaged tissue, duplicating and replacing healthy cells.
Dmards For Rheumatoid Arthritis Infusion Therapy
Rituxan
- It belongs to a class of biologics that targets specialized immune cells known as B cells. In RA, B cells produce auto-antibodies that target and damage the healthy cells and tissues. Rituxan acts by preventing B cells from producing auto-antibodies.
- Rituxan is usually administered in two infusions, two weeks apart, for the initial course. To avoid undesired side effects, corticosteroids are administered through an intravenous route about 30 minutes before each Rituxan infusion.
- Infusions of Rituxan take three to four hours. However, you won’t see any changes for at least three months after treatment.
- Once treatment begins to work, the benefits can last for 6 to 12 months or longer. Rheumatologists may recommend that treatments must be repeated every six months.
Actemra
- This biologic drug inhibits the binding of inflammatory proteins known as cytokines to immune cells that prevent the immune cells from becoming activated, lowering inflammation levels.
- Actemra can be used as a single agent or in combination with other DMARDs.
- It takes about an hour to complete the infusion. When compared with other infused biologics, it typically takes four to eight weeks to notice the drug’s effects.
- If a lower initial dose is ineffective, the dose can be increased. Moreover, it is available as a subcutaneous injection.
Orencia
Remicade
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What Is Ketamine Infusion Therapy Treatment
Ketamine infusion therapy is a treatment option for nerve pain during cancer treatment. The drug slows down the pain-sensing nerves, bringing relief and reducing your pain level. This relief comes quickly and can last days or even weeks or longer after repeated treatments.
Ketamine infusions can last between four and six hours, so plan to be at the clinic for a prolonged period. Youll also need someone to take you home after the infusion.
Benefits Of Iv Infusion Therapy
Have you been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? If so, then theres a good chance your doctor or rheumatologist has put you on medication in an attempt to treat and manage your symptoms. Unfortunately, not everybody responds well to traditional arthritis treatment .
If you havent seen improvement from your current treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, the good news is that there are alternative options to consider. IV infusion therapy in the form of Rituximab can be used to treat symptoms and manage this form of arthritis.
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Potential Side Effects Of Infusion Therapy
There are potential side effects with infusion therapy for arthritis treatment, although in instances where side effects exist, they are typically minor and do not last for more than a day. The most common side effects include:
- Upset stomach
- Back pain
- Fatigue
Be sure to talk to your rheumatologist if these side effects linger for an extended period of time or suddenly worsen. Another potential drawback to infusion therapy is having to adjust your schedule to ensure that you are available for the session.
How Long Does This Drug Treatment Last
Although there are some differences among the drugs and how they are used to treat certain rheumatologic and autoimmune diseases, these drugs usually produce benefits gradually, requiring weeks to months for full effectiveness. Generally, if there is no benefit within 4 months, it is unlikely that continuing the chemotherapy drug at the same dose will be helpful.
Methotrexate and azathioprine can be used for prolonged periods if necessary, as long as they do not cause serious side effects. Cyclophosphamide is generally used for more limited periods because of its greater side effects. However, in certain cases more prolonged use may be necessary.
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Consult With A Rheumatologist About Osteoarthritis Treatment
If you are interested in learning more about infusion therapy as a way to manage pain brought on by osteoarthritis, then reach out to us today and schedule a consultation visit. During the visit, our friendly team can explain the process and answer any questions you have about the osteoarthritis treatment.
Request an appointment here: or call Anika Alar MD at for an appointment in our Orlando office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Which Infusion Medications Will I Receive
Some of the most common biological drugs for infusion therapy are abatacept , golimumab , infliximab , rituximab , and tocilizumab . Talk with your doctor to decide which drug you will take. The decision will mainly be based on your diagnosis, your health history, how your immune system works against the drug, and your health insurance.
Have you been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? If so, then theres a good chance your doctor or rheumatologist has put you on medication in an attempt to treat and manage your symptoms. Unfortunately, not everybody responds well to traditional arthritis treatment .
If you havent seen improvement from your current treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, the good news is that there are alternative options to consider. IV infusion therapy in the form of Rituximab can be used to treat symptoms and manage this form of arthritis.
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Other Immunomodulatory And Cytotoxic Agents
Some additional immunomodulatory drugs are used in RA including azathioprine , and cyclosporin A . Rarely cyclophosphamide and d-Penicillamine are used. Because the potential of high toxicity, these agents are typically utilized for life-threatening extra-articular manifestations of RA such as systemic vasculitis or with severe articular disease that is refractory to other therapy.
Azathioprine has some activity in rheumatoid arthritis but may take 8-12 weeks to see an effect. It is a purine analog that can cause bone marrow suppression and lowering of blood cell counts particularly in patients with renal insufficiency or when used concomitantly with allopurinol or ACE inhibitors. Increased risk of secondary malignancy due to azathioprine is controversial. Screening for levels of the enzyme thiopurine methyltransferase is recommended before initiating therapy with azathioprine. Certain individuals have deficiencies in this enzyme that metabolizes azathioprine with a concomitantly increased risk of toxicitiy for the medication. Side effects include nausea, and alopecia. Blood tests to monitor blood counts and liver function tests are necessary for patients on azathioprine.