“DOES AN INFUSION HURT?”

The only way to find out the truth is to ask someone who knows!  Keressa Roberts, age 44, was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at age 39. She was hunched over and walked like an 80-year-old woman until treatment by infusions were suggested. Keressa was terrified at the thought!  “I throw up at just the sight of a needle,” she said. “But at The Arthritis & Infusion Center, there is such a caring staff, my terrifying experience became nothing more than just a small stick and a slight burn … that’s all.  Infusions have saved my life.  I’m convinced that without the experts at The Arthritis & Infusion Center, I wouldn’t be alive today.” 

(This is our infusion suite)

By way of explanation, an infusion is a standard procedure that delivers a fluid (medication or solution) into a patient’s bloodstream. The fluid flows from a sterile bag through plastic tubing and a small needle into one of the person’s veins and into the bloodstream.

“Our patients tell us that infusions do not hurt. And, if the needle is placed in the back of the hand, there is less bruising than the arm,” said Dr. Hulon Crayton. “I encourage patients, who have a fear of needles, just to not watch the process.” 

The team of infusion specialists at The Arthritis & Infusion Center are proficient in getting infusions started using unique processes like soaking a hand in warm water, or wrapping a warm towel around it, to bring blood vessels closer to the surface, which makes insertion easier.

It is important for patients to wear comfortable, layered clothing that can be adjusted during the treatment in case of temperature fluctuations.  Plus, it is very important for patients to be hydrated prior to therapy.

Our practice specializes in intravenous (IV) treatments to include:

• Hydration therapy 
•  IV antibiotic therapy 
•  IV immune globulin 
•  Intramuscular injections 
•  Subcutaneous injections 
•  Gastrointestinal therapy

There are therapies to treat:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Psoriasis
• Arthritis associated with Psoriasis
• Osteoporosis
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Crohn’s Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• CIDP
• Anemia
• Gout

Things to remember before an infusion treatment:

1. Drink plenty of water or Gatorade
2. Eat before you get to the Infusion Center
3. Take all your regular medications unless your doctor prescribes otherwise
4. Know how long your therapy will take (we can give you an estimated time)
5. Arrange for transportation if needed.

The most important thing about your infusion session is to bring a smile and a positive attitude! 

(Dr. Crayton and a patient in the Infusion Center)

To take your mind off of needles, we have a pleasant atmosphere that includes flat screen TVs, personal headphones for music, and WIFI for the convenience of our patients.  Infusions are nothing to fear!  In fact, call for an appointment to tour our comfortable surroundings. As Ms. Roberts indicated, your treatments could be lifesaving!

Arthritis Sufferers: Five Tips to Survive the Winter

The weather in northwest Florida rarely gets frigid during the winter months, but Arthritis sufferers are more susceptible to any changes in temperatures. At The Arthritis & Infusion Center, we are used to providing our patients with guidelines in order to enhance their quality of life. Here are five things to remember as we move into the fall/winter months:

1. Maintain a healthy diet:  Everyone needs to have a healthy diet, but people who suffer from Arthritis must be even more vigilant. Oily fish, and the usual fruits, grains, and vegetables should be the first items on your plate … but 
2. Portion control is also an issue for many, because being overweight can aggravate Arthritis symptoms and cause your joints to ache. 
3. Ask Dr. Crayton if you should be taking dietary supplements. In addition to eating correctly, there are dietary supplements, specific to Arthritis, which may be recommended depending on your condition. And, as with any other healthy diet, drinking adequate amounts of water is important in flushing your system and preventing you from becoming dehydrated. 
4. Keep your joints covered and warm. It should go without saying (and you’ve probably already figured this out for yourself), keeping your joints warm is key to lessening your pain. Keep blankets and appropriate, loose-fitting clothes handy to layer when the temperatures drop. 
5. Exercise and Rest. Isn’t that what your mother always told you? Specialized work-out routines can help you shed pounds, which reduce the stress on your joints. But equally as important is getting adequate sleep. If your joints are sore, rest will be difficult to accomplish. Low impact exercise like cycling or swimming are best for Arthritis sufferers.

 

As you can see, there is no “magic bullet” or unusual regime to follow. It’s all common sense!  Since Arthritis may be hereditary, it is even more important to do everything you can to maintain a healthy lifestyle. But remember:  We always remind our patients – “Pain is not normal. Let us help!” Call for a consult today!