“The care has been phenomenal!” Current patient, Rhonda Torrence, has a rare autoimmune disorder that has led her to an infusion treatment at Lane Regional Medical Center. She is currently finishing the final cycle of her first regimen of infusions.
“I have an autoimmune disease called Myasthenia Gravis. My nerves don’t communicate with my muscles. It causes a number of things. My eyes will droop, which can cause blurry vision and double vision. My arms and legs will get heavy. It affects any part of the body that uses a muscle and causes severe fatigue.”
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
A chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease called myasthenia gravis (MG) is characterized by rapid tiredness and weakening of the voluntary muscles. This disorder develops when the immune system unintentionally targets the neuromuscular junction's acetylcholine receptors in an attempt to disrupt nerve and muscle transmission. Muscle contractions consequently get progressively weaker. Drooping eyelids, double or blurry vision, trouble swallowing, and generalized muscle weakness that gets worse with movement and becomes better with rest are some of the symptoms of MG. Although there is no known cure, there are therapies that can help control symptoms and enhance the quality of life for people who are affected.
What Type of Infusion Can be Used to Treat the Symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis?
Vyvgart is Rhonda's current medication. It is administered via IV infusion and is helpful for people with MG. This drug reduces the harmful autoantibodies that target the acetylcholine receptors. Vyvgart helps to lessen MG symptoms by reducing these antibody levels. Vyvgart has been shown in clinical trials to considerably increase muscle strength and lessen MG patients’ symptoms, helping them to restore their capacity to conduct everyday tasks and enhance their overall quality of life by reducing muscle weakness and fatigue.
Currently, Rhonda is finishing her fourth cycle of Vyvgart. This process began on February 9th. It consists of an infusion once a week for four weeks, followed by a 28-day break. Initially, Rhonda wanted to receive her infusions at home. However, the expensive co-pay for this treatment led her to ask her physician for other options. Lane Infusion Center was not only a convenient option but also highly recommended. “My primary care doctor recommended Lane when I was looking for an infusion center. It worked out perfectly,” says Rhonda.
The staff at Lane, beyond providing exceptional patient care and treatment has also been very helpful with handling insurance and documentation. As this is an uncommon and expensive treatment, providing the required files and necessary follow-up has been very important.
The Lane Infusion Center is the solution if you're seeking an alternative to the conventional hospital setting for getting the IV infusion therapy that your doctor has prescribed. To make the passing of time more pleasurable, each infusion station has a guest chair and a flat-screen television of its own. We provide reading materials, blankets, and food for your comfort, in addition to wireless Internet access for work or leisure use. “I would recommend Lane Infusion Center to anyone,” says Rhonda.
