Autoimmune diseases are on the rise, all around the globe. Researchers believe this may be due to the increased number of toxins in the environment, which can weaken the immune system.
About 15 million women, men, and children in the United States have one or more of the 105 autoimmune diseases.
Women are almost twice as likely as men to develop an autoimmune disease (63% vs. 37% of all diagnosed cases). About a quarter of patients have two autoimmune diseases, while 2% have four or more.
At the Rheumatology Center of New Jersey, our team may recommend infusion therapy with medications or biologics to reduce your symptoms and restore function. Infusions can give you long-lasting relief.
What happens during your first infusion session? Here’s a brief breakdown.
Infusion therapy doesn’t require abstaining from food, as surgery would. But during your consultation, let us know all of the medications you take; you may need to skip or delay a dose. Also, we may administer a blood test before your first session.
In most cases, you can just walk right into one of our offices. While you relax in a treatment chair, we prepare you for your session by cleansing and disinfecting your arm.
We then insert a needle into your arm. The needle is attached to a tube that delivers drip-down medication. The main thing you need to prepare is something to occupy yourself.
The medication must gradually drip into your bloodstream. Depending on your needs, this could take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. We let you know how long you can expect your session to be.
As you receive your infusion, you can read, catch up on emails, listen to music, meditate, or engage in any quiet activity that doesn’t require movement. Your arm must stay relaxed during the treatment. Napping is fine, too.
So pack a bag with books, magazines, and your phone. Also bring a water bottle and a snack, if necessary.
Depending on the type of autoimmune disease you have, we may select various medications, including biologics, to help you. We’ve included some options here.
For rheumatoid arthritis, we might recommend one of the following:
For lupus, we offer:
For other autoimmune diseases, we might choose:
Many of these infusions are covered by insurance. Please check with your insurance company, or ask us about payment plans so you can get the care you need.
During your treatment, you may be relaxed enough to fall asleep. The medication goes straight into your bloodstream, so you may notice effects right away.
You should be able to resume most of your activities after your infusion. One side effect, though, could be drowsiness due to the medication’s potency.
You may wish to arrange beforehand to have someone pick you up from your treatment. We let you know if the type of medication you receive is liable to make you feel groggy, so you can stay safe.
Side effects for infusion therapy are rare. About 5% of those receiving intravenous immunoglobulin may experience mild effects, such as nausea or headache, or severe symptoms, such as trouble breathing or high blood pressure.
Depending on your case, you may need only one infusion, but it’s common to need a series of treatments or — in some cases — weekly sessions.
If you’re ready to get relief from your autoimmune disease with infusion therapy, please call our helpful team or use our online form to request an appointment today. We’re located in Somerville, Monroe, and Flemington, New Jersey.
