If you suffer from migraines, you’re well aware of how debilitating and disruptive they can be. The throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sounds, and nausea are enough to send you straight into a dark room. You may attempt to sleep it off, but the misery feels so intense, you wonder if it’s ever going to end. If you’ve tried over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications — yet failed to obtain relief — infusion therapy may be a good option.
What are migraines?
A migraine is a neurological disorder that causes intense, debilitating headaches. They often begin in childhood and continue throughout a person’s life. In addition to intense pain, other symptoms include neck stiffness, nausea, tingling, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.
Prior to the onset of a migraine, it’s common to experience warning signs that one is about to happen. These include seeing an aura around objects, flashes of light, feeling weakness or numbness, or partial vision loss. Left untreated, the debilitating pain and accompanying symptoms could last for up to three days.
There are several factors that could trigger a migraine — and they may vary from person to person. Typically, these include strong smells, bright sunlight, lack of sleep, stress, certain foods, food additives, intense physical exertion, hormonal changes, and certain medications.
Treatment Options for Migraines
Some people are able to obtain relief from symptoms by taking over-the-counter medications. Others experience such debilitating symptoms, they need prescription medications to manage migraine attacks. Some of these drugs are designed to relieve pain, while others are designed to be taken regularly to prevent future attacks from occurring. However, there are plenty of individuals who either haven’t been able to obtain relief from oral medications — or for whom additional underlying health ailments make it difficult to swallow a pill. This is when infusion therapy may provide a viable alternative.
What is infusion therapy?
Infusion therapy involves administering medication through intravenous injection (IV). Since the medication is inserted directly into the bloodstream, it doesn’t have to be digested — meaning patients experience faster relief.
Specifically for migraines, there’s an FDA-approved infusion medication called VYEPTI™. In clinical trials, it reduced migraines in 75% of patients treated — and prevented them from coming back in more than a month. Each infusion therapy lasts approximately half an hour, and it is administered four times a year.
Side Effects of Infusion Therapy
Like with any prescription medication — although rare — there’s always a risk of side effects. The most common ones from undergoing infusion therapy with VYEPTI™ include nose congestion and/or a sore throat. In addition, there are risks of allergic reactions. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Pain at the site of injection
- Redness at the site of injection
- Hives
- Skin rash
- Breathing difficulties
- Swelling of the face, throat, lips, and/or tongue
The best way to reduce the risk of experiencing a serious allergic reaction is to have a healthcare professional monitor your status throughout the duration of each infusion session. At Infusion Associates, you will always have either a nurse or a physician keeping an eye on you to ensure your comfort and wellbeing.
What To Expect
When you first visit one of our facilities, you’ll meet with one of our nurses. The purpose of this meeting is to provide you with a detailed, step-by-step explanation of what to expect during treatment. This includes information about dosage, length of each infusion, and the risk of side effects. This is also a good opportunity for you to ask questions and bring up concerns you may have.
We also prioritize all of our patients’ comfort. If you’d prefer a private room, you may request one. Once you’re settled in, you’ll receive your infusion treatment in a cozy reclining chair. We also provide several amenities — including blankets, televisions, WiFi, water, tea, or coffee. You can also bring your own snacks or beverage of choice.
If Your Doctor Has Recommended Infusion Therapy, We Can Help
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. In addition, we have a Registered Pharmacist on-site 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.