Living with psoriatic arthritis is painful and uncomfortable — and for some people, it can be embarrassing. The condition occurs when your immune system attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation of the joints and the areas where tendons and ligaments connect to bones — as well as overproducing skin cells. While the cause is unknown, people who’ve experienced a bacterial or viral infection may develop psoriatic arthritis if they already have a family history of the condition. Although psoriatic arthritis has no cure, you can obtain treatment to alleviate pain and preserve your joints’ range of motion.
What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis may come and go. This is known as flareups and remission. They can affect the joints on only one side of the body — although some patients may experience them on both sides. These symptoms often include:
- Fatigue
- Morning stiffness
- Severe swelling of fingers and toes
- Pain in your feet — especially on the sole and heel
- Reduced range of motion
- Developing red patches on your skin
- A throbbing sensation on the joints
- Nails separating from the nail bed
If you’re an adult and you’ve been taking oral prescription medications but are still experiencing chronic flare-ups, you may need more effective infusion medication, such as Simponi Aria.
What is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy occurs when a medical provider administers medication through an intravenous (IV) line, directly into your bloodstream. It’s an ideal alternative for patients who, due to an underlying illness, are not able to take medication orally. It’s also a more effective form of treatment for patients for whom oral medications have not been effective. When treating psoriatic arthritis, it can also reduce the risk of future flareups and/or complications — such as spondylitis, uveitis, or permanent joint damage.
Since infusion therapy is delivered directly into the bloodstream, patients often experience relief from symptoms faster than when they take oral medications. This makes it a more effective and convenient form of treatment.
What To Expect
Prior to starting infusion therapy, one of our physicians or nurses will sit down with you to explain the process — such as how long each session will last, what are the possible side effects, and answer all of your questions. You will then be escorted to one of our comfortable infusion rooms. We strive to make them as welcoming and comfortable as possible — with big-screen TVs, WiFi, and noise-canceling headphones, to name some of the amenities. We provide blankets and hot beverages (such as coffee, tea, and cocoa), although you can also bring your own preferred drinks and snacks.
Once you’re settled in, a healthcare provider will inject an IV into a vein in your arm. The medication will then slowly drip into your bloodstream. The duration of each session will vary depending on your specific circumstances. However, Simponi Aria treatment typically takes 30-minutes. The dosage will depend on the severity of your body weight.
The entire transfusion will be monitored by one of our healthcare professionals.
Are there any risks associated with hydration therapy?
Yes. However, these risks are minor and are far outweighed by the benefits. Specifically, you could have an infection at the injection site where the IV needle is inserted. In addition, the IV could become dislodged from the vein — causing the fluids to enter the tissues surrounding the vein. If this were to occur, a healthcare professional will reinsert the IV and give you a warm compress to prevent or reduce swelling. At Infusion Associates, you will always have a nurse monitoring your therapy to ensure that everything goes smoothly.
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.