Patient Perspectives: Real talk for infusion - and what to expect

We've come a long way in the way that we are able to treat and manage MS. [MUSIC PLAYING]

If we just take a step back and talk about what MS is kind of in a clinical sense, we know that it's an autoimmune disease that affects

the central nervous system. And it causes many of those symptoms that we discussed like difficulty using your hands or difficulty with sensation or difficulty

walking. And each person's journey is different. But what we do know is that we manage

MS like we manage many other conditions, and many of the treatments that we have allow people to have as much function as possible.

So let's talk a little bit about, what is an infusion therapy? And those are medications where someone would likely

go to a center whether it's in their doctor's office or some other infusion center where these medications are given. And they would receive a medication in the IV.

And depending on the medication, they have different frequencies. There are some medications that are every 28 days, some that

are every six months, and some that are several days once a year. So depending on what treatment that patient and their doctor

come up with will depend on the frequency and how often they have to receive that therapy. My role is to not only do the infusion,

you know, start the IV lines and all that stuff, but is more about making them feel comfortable and understanding what is going to be

the result of this infusion. Are there side effects? There can be. But our goal is to minimize those in a way

that they are comfortable. You know, it's more about having that human relationship with them when they're starting these infusions.

Because if they are comfortable and let's say [INAUDIBLE],, the infusion actually does go better because they are more

accepting. And I truly believe in positivity of the mind. And a lot of times, if they go in there with that positive mindset, they actually feel great.

The importance of the infusion nurse-- and that's what I hear about so much from my patients--

is their concerns, their worries. Especially for the newly diagnosed, a lot of people have so many questions.

And the first thing people respond with is talk with your infusion nurse. They're incredible people.

And what I really like to see is when I watch these communities get together. And everybody on one infusion start supporting each other,

and everybody on another infusion starts supporting each other and starts showing the benefits.

And that's-- that's been spreading. One thing that I notice a lot with my clients who do any type of infusion therapy

is that they express extra feelings of fatigue leading up to the infusion.

And they can always tell when they're ready for their next infusion. So during that time, a lot of what I do as a physical therapist is help them come up

with energy conservation strategies, ways that they can manage their energy so that they don't feel as fatigued leading up

to their next infusion. PT can help for sure leading up to infusions but even just year-round to help manage your MS in the most

effective way. Absolutely. If I can get year-round PT prescriptions for all of my patients, everybody's life

would be much better. That's the goal. Yeah, it's so essential, you know, to everyday function

and to keeping people, you know, healthy and, you know, attempting to live their best selves. [MUSIC PLAYING]