CIVIC Treats Rheumatoid Arthritis

Have your RA treated at one of CIVIC's state-of-the-art infusion centers

Conveniently located across Connecticut and Westchester

Offering safe, affordable, and state-of-the art, medically supervised infusion therapy

or Call Us at 203-883-0038

Why choose CIVIC for your RA Infusion Treatment?

Patients choose to get their Rheumatoid Arthritis infusions at CIVIC because of the exceptional quality of care, welcoming environment, state-of-the-art facility and equipment, easy scheduling (including Saturday), and lower costs/co-pays as compared to the hospital. All CIVIC facilities are accredited with distinction as an “Exemplary Provider” in accordance with the requirements and standards set by The Compliance Team.

Process to get Infused at CIVIC: 

Your Physician simply emails or faxes your RA prescription and other required information and CIVIC’s team of experts take care of everything else, including scheduling your appointment. 

 Contact us today or call 203-883-0038 to find out how CIVIC can make your infusion treatment a more pleasant experience.  

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune and chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint pain, swelling and stiffness. RA most commonly affects small joints in the hands and feet. As the disease progresses, symptoms may spread to other joints including wrists, elbows, knees, hips, and shoulders. RA affects the lining of your joints and over time this persistent inflammation can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity. The widespread inflammation from RA may also cause damage to other organs including skin, eyes, heart, lungs, and blood vessels. RA affects more than 1.3 million Americans and 75% of RA patients are women.  While there is no cure for RA, medication can help slow progression of the disease to prevent joint damage and deformities.

The most common symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Joint stiffness (often worst in the morning and after inactivity)
  • Tender, warm, swollen joints
  • Multiple joints affected
  • Same joints on both sides of the body affected
  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss

Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis

Although there is no cure for RA, excellent disease management and remission of symptoms may be possible with current treatment modalities. Treatment of RA is often multifactorial and may include the use of medication, alterations in diet, lifestyle modifications including exercise and smoking cessation, physical therapy, and possible surgical intervention to repair damaged joints. Medication treatments may include NSAIDs, steroids, DMARDs, and biologic therapies. For patients with moderate to severe RA, or those that fail more conservative treatment options, intravenous (IV) therapies may be prescribed.

How can IV Therapy Help My Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Many medications used to treat RA are designed to suppress your immune system’s abnormal inflammatory response that triggers your disease symptoms. Suppressing this inflammation may help relieve your symptoms. IV therapy options may help you achieve remission, maintain it, and decrease interval symptom flares. Based on the severity of your disease, your provider will work with you to identify the best medication and treatment option for you.

What IV Therapies does CIVIC Administer for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Actemra Remicade Renflexis Ruxience
Avsola Rituxan Truxima Inflectra
Cimzia Simponi Aria Orencia  

Infusion therapy relieves symptoms for longer periods of time by distributing medicine directly into your bloodstream. Your medicine is administered by an infusion pump that drips the medication through a catheter into a syringe. The syringe is inserted into your vein and secured into place with medical tape. Each treatment itself varies on time.

  • Your appointment may take 4-6 hours due to premedication before your infusion, as well as 1 hour of monitoring post-infusion.  
  • Your healthcare team will check your vital signs, evaluate for active infections, and ask questions about your overall health 
  • 30-60 minutes before your infusion, you will be given medications, such as corticosteroids, an antihistamine, and antifever medication to help reduce possible infusion-related reactions 
  • You'll be seated in a supportive chair along with all of your belongings 
  • We provide entertainment and snacks on hand to pass the time and make your experience more enjoyable. 
  • Once you're settled, an IV infusion needle will be placed in your arm and connected to an infusion pump 
  • Your infusion will last between 2 to 4 hours. 
  • If an infusion reaction occurs, your healthcare team may stop or slow the rate of your infusion 
  • Your healthcare team will monitor you closely from start to finish 

In the week leading up to your infusion, confirm all the details such as date, time and location, as well as the specific treatment you are receiving and if you need any premedication before the infusion.  

Have a list of information that the staff at the infusion center might need, such as allergies, medications you are currently taking, health conditions they may need to know about and your emergency contacts.  

Make sure to get plenty of rest and stay well hydrated in the days leading up to your infusion. 

Check with your healthcare provider about restrictions the day of your infusion—you may need to abstain from caffeine, alcohol and smoking in the hours before your appointment.  

It is also very important to let your healthcare providers at the infusion centers know if you have experienced any worsening of your symptoms since your last visit. A change in your condition may mean that you need to be evaluated by a healthcare provider. 

Wear comfortable shoes and dress in loose-fitting clothing. Loose-fitting clothing will be more comfortable during the infusion and will also provide easier access for the IV and any monitors (such as blood pressure and heart rate) that you may need to wear during and after the infusion. You may also want to dress in layers, in case you start to feel too warm or too cold. Keep in mind that one arm may be occupied with the IV during the infusion, which means you won’t be able to take off a sleeve once the infusion starts, and that you’ll only have one hand when going to the bathroom. 

 

What our Rheumatoid Arthritis patients are saying about CIVIC

CIVIC Infusion Centers — are Conveniently Located
...with more locations coming soon!