Healthy kidneys perform the crucial function of removing waste products from the body. When they don’t work the way they should, you’ll notice a wide array of symptoms that make it clear you need medical intervention as soon as possible. Such is the case with nephrotic syndrome — which is not a disease in itself, but symptoms of an underlying illness that are affecting the kidneys. Typical causes of nephrotic syndrome include focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, renal vein thrombosis, membranous nephropathy, hepatitis B or C, cancer, diabetes, lupus, or amyloidosis.
What are the symptoms of nephrotic syndrome?
Signs and symptoms of nephrotic syndrome may range in severity. The most common ones include:
- Swelling of the ankles and feet
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight gain due to fluid retention
- Foamy urine
- High fat and cholesterol in the blood
- Hypoalbuminemia
What is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy is a form of administering medication for individuals for whom traditional oral medications have failed to provide relief. They are also a viable alternative for people with a medical condition that makes it difficult or uncomfortable to swallow pills. It works by inserting an intravenous (IV) line into a vein in your arm. Since it hits the bloodstream immediately — as opposed to oral drugs that have to be digested — patients are able to experience faster relief.
Specifically for nephrotic syndrome, we provide treatment with Rituxan for patients with recurrent nephrotic syndrome after a kidney transplant. The medication can help induce long-term remission. It could also reduce the number of immunosuppressants you may have to take. However, Rituximab may take up to six weeks to work. In the meantime, you’ll have to continue taking your immunosuppressants as prescribed by your doctor.
What to Expect
When you schedule an appointment at any of our Infusion Associates locations, you will first meet with one of our healthcare professionals to discuss the details of your treatment. This includes information about the length and dosage of each therapy, the likelihood of experiencing side effects, and you’ll be able to get answers to all of your questions and concerns.
Once the initial meeting concludes, you will be escorted to one of our treatment rooms. If you would feel more comfortable with a private room, you may request one in advance. You’ll notice that one of our main priorities is to make all of our patients feel as comfortable as possible. This is why you’ll receive your therapy from a cozy armchair.
We also provide blankets, WiFi, and television. You are more than welcome to bring your favorite snacks. If you need to use the restroom, let one of our staff members know, so that your infusion can be paused until your return.
Are there any risks associated with infusion therapy?
As with any type of therapy, there are risks associated with infusion treatment. However, these are minor and are outweighed by the benefits. The most common ones are infections at the site of injection or the IV becoming dislodged from the vein. The best way to lower risks is to have an experienced healthcare provider monitoring the infusion throughout its duration — which is always the case in all of our treatment rooms.
If Your Doctor Has Recommended Infusion Therapy, Let Infusion Associates Help You
At Infusion Associates, we provide medically-prescribed infusion therapy for patients with chronic conditions in a welcoming and friendly environment. Our team of healthcare professionals is fully committed to making the experience as comfortable as possible for you or your patients. We always inform patients of any potential side effects and answer all their questions before starting treatment. In addition, we have a Registered Pharmacist on-staff to make the process as seamless as possible.
If you would like to refer a patient to us or want to inquire about the treatments we offer, you can contact us by calling us at (616) 954-0600 or filling out this form.