If you’ve been diagnosed with lupus and have been prescribed an infusion for lupus, you may have a lot of questions about the condition and treatments. This overview will help you understand what is happening in your body and what you can do about it.
What is lupus erythematosus?
Lupus, short for systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE, is a type of autoimmune disease. What that means is that your body is attacking itself. The immune system is meant to fight infections, but instead starts attacking your own healthy tissues.
If you have lupus, any part of your body can be attacked by your immune system. You may feel feverish, have joint and muscle pains, suffer rashes, and feel rundown. Those symptoms can indicate other conditions, so diagnosis isn’t easy. Your doctor may have to eliminate dozens of other causes before identifying lupus.
While Lupus has been shown to run in families, with 66% of cases having a genetic basis, a specific gene has not yet been identified to cause Lupus. Environmental factors are also believed to play a role in contributing to the onset of auto-immune disease. That said, a specific gene and a specific cause have not yet been identified.
What lupus does to your body
Lupus can affect people in different ways. Some people suffer from multiple symptoms, and others just one or two. Severity can vary quite a bit, from minor discomfort to life-changing complications. Lastly, how lupus affects you changes over time. You may go through periods where the condition is barely noticeable, then something will kick off an attack and you experience serious symptoms. Lupus may affect you in any of the following areas:
Skin and hair: Red rashes can appear on your face and arms, and also mouth sores and hair loss.
Blood: A dangerous symptom of lupus is a decline in your red blood cells, leading to fatigue, anemia, easy bruising, clots and strokes.
Muscles, bones, and joints: Stiffness and swelling can make moving uncomfortable. A condition called lupus arthritis, caused by inflammation from lupus, is a frequent side effect.
Kidneys: Another serious issue is kidney disease caused by lupus. Your kidneys are delicate, yet vital organs that can come under attack.
Brain: Though rare, when lupus attacks your nervous system, it can affect your brain function and mood.
Eyes: Dry eyes are common, as well as difficulty seeing.
Heart and lungs: Inflammation of your heart and lungs is painful and potentially life-threatening.
Lupus has no cure, however, promising new therapies are protecting the health and improving the lives of lupus patients. Chief among these are various infusions for lupus.
What infusions for lupus treatments are available?
Lupus infusions are a relatively new treatment. First developed in 1994, the field of lupus treatments has seen rapid innovation. Today, many autoimmune diseases can be managed by various infusion therapies. The most commonly prescribed therapies include:
- Solu-Medrol is the brand for methylprednisolone, a steroid that can be taken orally and as an intravenous infusion, often together. Solu-Medrol IV for lupus reduces inflammation.
- Cytoxan is a brand of cyclophosphamide that is prescribed if you are suffering from organ disease, particularly when your kidneys are involved. Cytoxan for lupus is also sometimes used if you have complications affecting your heart or lungs.
- Benlysta for lupus is the brand for belimumab. It is the first IV treatment specifically designed to treat lupus. It interferes with the B cells that are at the core of the autoantibody actions of lupus.
- Saphnelo for lupus is the brand for a compound called anifrolumab-fnia, which helps people with severe lupus. It interferes with the autoimmune activity in your body, bringing you relief from symptoms.
How do you take an infusion for lupus?
Infusions for lupus are delivered into your vein through a needle inserted into your arm. Some people feel a slight prick when the needle is inserted, but afterwards, the process is painless. The frequency of your infusions will vary by the type of treatment or treatments that have been prescribed for you. Depending on how your body reacts, your infusion schedule will be adjusted.
Where can you get a lupus infusion?
At first, most lupus patients go to hospitals, outpatient treatment centers, or their doctor’s office for an infusion for lupus. Because you will be getting these infusions regularly all your life, you may find these locations are inconvenient, uncomfortable, and expensive.
Thankfully, you have alternatives that can better fit into your life and budget. Infusion for Health is where you can get your infusions privately, conveniently, and affordably.
Though lupus is a chronic condition, you don’t want to be treated like a patient for the rest of your life. You will find we don’t just treat you; we pamper you. You’ll have a first-class experience in a calm and relaxing private room with complete with snacks, warm blankets and entertainment.
At every step, you will be under the care of trained professionals who understand the complexities of your condition. We work in close collaboration with your healthcare team to monitor your treatments. Here you can relax and know you are in good hands.
We also work with your insurance provider so you’ll have no surprises. We take the hassle out of your treatment. Making appointments is easy and rescheduling is flexible.
Talk to your doctor or give us a call directly to set up your infusions for lupus with Infusion for Health. We make the paperwork and any necessary referrals easy.
