The Ultimate Guide to Infusions From a Patient Perspective

May 16, 2020 | Arthritis, chronic illness, Essential Guide | 0 comments

The Ultimate Guide to Biologic Infusions: A Patient Perspective

A checklist of what to bring, what to expect and how to recover!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small compensation if you choose to purchase any products linked below at no extra charge to you! Click here to view our disclosure policy.

As someone with a chronic illness (Psoriatic Arthritis, to be exact!), I go into my rheumatologist’s office every eight weeks for my biologic infusion. I feel no shame in calling it my “go-go juice” because within 24-72 hours, I am a brand new person.

It has been about ten months since I starting my infusions – Remicade – and it has been the first medicine that has truly made me start to feel like a normal person since I started having joint pain six years ago.

When I first started my infusions, I scoured the internet – and even Pinterest and social media – for tips on how to prepare for my infusion. I came across a blog or two, but overall, the internet kinda let me down. Now, six or seven infusions later, I have my routine down and I’m ready to share it with you!

Typically, my infusion appointment lasts about three hours. Sometimes longer, sometimes faster, depending on my wait time, how busy they are and how happy my veins are to be poked that day. Some medications can be infused as fast as 15-20 minutes, while others can be four or more hours.

I’ll note here that every infusion center and doctor’s office runs things differently! Below is my experience and my advice based only on my experience. And a quick reminder: This is not medical advice nor does it intend to be.

Preparing for infusions

The night before, I shower – washing my hair and all. It makes things a little easier because my infusion appointments are first thing in the morning, so it is one less thing to worry about.

Next, I pack my bag. I typically take a tote bag and fill it with my favorites:

The big thing I’ve realized during my infusions is I absolutely need a snack. I forgot a snack twice and became really nauseated about halfway through. Unfortunately, at my doctor’s office, they only have snacks with gluten (surprising, I know!!), so I was completely out of luck that day. Bring a snack is my absolute biggest tip!

Another big tip for the day before your infusion: DRINK LOTS OF WATER! Think you’re great at keeping up with your water? Cool, drink even more than that! It will help your cute little veins when they’re getting your IV set up and personally, I’ve found the more hydrated I am, the easier recovery will be.

The day of infusions

What to wear to your infusion

My second biggest tip on infusions is to dress comfortably, especially if your infusion lasts more than 30 minutes!

In the warmer months, I typically wear a maxi dress like this one, along with a chunky, oversized sweater. Emphasis on oversized! They have looser sleeves which makes it easier to roll up while they insert the IV, then you can roll it back down to stay warm and comfy.

If it’s in the cooler months, I’ll wear some comfortable, looser (boot cut) exercise pants and a sweater I can easily roll the sleeves up.

I made the mistake of wearing tight, comfortable yoga pants/leggings to an infusion once.

Why didn’t yoga pants work? Because of the fluids they pump through you during your infusion, you’ll likely need to make a restroom stop at least once. Depending on where in your arm or hand your IV ends up, you sometimes end up one-handed. Have you ever tried to use one hand to take tight-fitting yoga pants off? Oof. Oof!

If you can manage fitted yoga pants one-handed, then by all means, GO FOR IT. Here’s a link to my favorite pair!

What to do before your infusion appointment

Eat a hearty breakfast or lunch, depending on your appointment time. Whatever fills you up and keeps you full is great.

Think protein and complex carbs. Oatmeal, breakfast sandwich, protein bar… whatever floats your boat and keeps you going. Even if you don’t eat breakfast (like me, due to intermittent fasting), this is your one day you should be eating breakfast.

Check in before you get to the office, if possible. My doctor’s office has moved to online check-ins.

Typically, I receive an email before my appointment to check-in, go over my health, pay co-pays, verify insurance, etc.

If I’m not able to check in online before, I check in on my phone when I arrive. That way, I don’t have to touch any other objects anyone else may have touched – keeping it clean!

At your infusion appointment

My most recent infusion was my first in a post-COVID world. It wasn’t too different besides the COVID screenings in the parking lot and buildings, plus requirements like a face mask, taking temperature and so on. Every other chair was blocked off to maintain social distance.

Once I arrive at my appointment at my rheumatologist’s office and I’m checked in, they bring me back and ask a few questions:

  • Have you had any recent infections?
  • Have you been on any antibiotics?
  • Have you had any recent surgeries?
  • How are you feeling today?

I’m weighed by my infusion nurse, since my medication is dosed based on my weight. Blood pressure, pulse, temperature, all vitals are taken after that.

At my doctor’s office, you’ll be placed in a private room if you’re seeing the doctor that day. If not, we get an option between the TV room or the “quiet room” which is shared with other patients. This varies depending on the location and your office’s preferences.

Most of the time during my infusions, I’m either working on my laptop, scrolling Pinterest, or watching a TV show or movie. As a mom, I kind of look forward to my infusions because I can sit back, relax, and sit quietly for a few hours when I’m not 100% exhausted at the end of the day!

During my infusion, I make sure to eat a few small snacks and stay hydrated. I find that when I’m able to drink lots of water during my appointment, I recover a lot faster.

After your appointment

Depending on what other medications you’re given during your appointment, you may drive home or have someone drive you. I’m incredibly lucky in that my husband often takes a half-day on my infusion days, so he’s home to hang out with our toddler while I nap, take it easy, and rest in bed.

Sometimes I feel okay after my appointment, and I will continue to work on my laptop in bed. I’ve found that even when I do that and I don’t truly rest, my recovery takes longer.

When I chill, watch some Netflix, eat a healthy snack or two, drink lots of water after my appointment, I’m able to feel a lot better the next day. When I don’t take it as easy, I don’t truly feel back to normal until about 30 hours after my appointment or two days later.

It’s different for everyone! Once you start having infusions, you’ll find what works for you.

My best advice is to take it super easy at first, then build up what you’re able to do after each infusion.

Good luck! And shoot me an email, find me on Instagram, or comment below with any questions you may have about infusions!

The Best Comfortable Shoes for Moms

Apr 22, 2020 | Arthritis, Essential Guide, Fashion, Lifestyle |

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small compensation if you choose to purchase any products linked below at no extra charge to you! Click here to view our disclosure policy.

The Most Comfortable Shoes for Moms. Check out the best sneakers, casual shoes and heels for moms. Great shoe options for chronic illness and arthritis.

Isn’t it funny how once you become a mom, all of those super tall, gorgeous (and expensive) heels start collecting dust? Motherhood has a funny way of ushering in the era of comfortable footwear, especially during those baby and toddler years.

It’s just not logical to be chasing your kiddo full speed in a pair of heels or tall wedges, right? They’re great for date night, deadly for everyday.

As a mom with arthritis, you can bet I know what’s what when it comes to comfortable footwear. Here you’ll find my absolute favorite shoes that will last you all day from school drop off and the playground to grabbing a bite to eat and running errands – everything from comfy sandals to fashionable sneakers.

Vionic sandals

Vionic is my go-to brand since the moment I started dealing with foot and ankle pain years and years ago. I started with a pair of their supportive flip flops, which last forever, and have built my collection from there! Vionic offers such a wide variety of styles and everything from wedges and heels to boots and sneakers.

My current favorite for this spring and summer is one of their newer styles, the Vionic Roni Slide. It’s a super on-trend style with great arch support, luxe suede and leather, and a feminine touch with the ruffles up top. They come in three colors which are all great neutral pieces to go with everything in your summer wardrobe.

My go-to for the summer is the Vionic Tide Flip Flop. They are so incredibly supportive, especially for high arches, and come in dozens of colors and styles – leather, sequins, suede and more. And with an average rating of 4.5/5 from more than 2,200 ratings, it is definitely a crowd favorite. Fun fact: I even slipped into a gold sequin pair of Tides for my wedding reception so I could dance the night away in comfort!

Adidas Grand Court Sneakers

Does it get any more classic than this pair of Adidas? Not only are the Grand Courts so comfortable – wear all day comfy! – they go with just about everything. Pick up a few different pairs with more than a dozen color options.

They help put a fun, playful spin on dresses and skirts, a perfect pairing for jeans and a tee and of course, a great companion to leggings and yoga pants. Win, win, win. Not to say I was an early adopter, but I definitely had a pair with turquoise stripes in the early 2000s!

P.S. right now some colors are HALF off! Save up to $32.50 right now through Amazon! (4/22/2020)

Nike Running Shoes

If I had one shoe that I absolutely wear the soles out, my pair of black Nike Tanjun running shoes would be it. Comfortable, easy on and off and go with everything under the sun for those active days with kids. These babies have been to the zoo, aquarium, doctors’ appointments, preschool, the beach… you name it, they’ve been there.

These shoes are so incredibly flexible and can complement all your cute workout and casual outfits with more than two dozen different colors!

Keds Charter Sneaker + Sperry Lounge Away Sneaker

My Keds and Sperrys are two peas in an adorable little pod. They’re comfortable, a bit more stylish than your average mom shoe and fit just about everything in your everyday closet.

These two shoes are similar in style and always in my travel bag, too! I highly, highly recommend either pair of these slip on shoes for plane travel. Wear a pair of no-show socks, slip ’em off at security and they slide back on in seconds. Great for sightseeing, too, if you’re not into wearing obvious tennis shoes while exploring tourist attractions.

BOC wedges + Naturalizer Heels

Most of the shoes on this list are definite casual wear, so I figured I’d throw in some dressier pieces! Two of my favorite brands for heels and wedges are BOC and Naturalizer. They offer cushioned soles and great support, along with heel heights that aren’t too tall to chase littles at special events. Two of my favorites are Naturalizer’s Fawn heels and BOC’s Schirra wedge. When looking for heels for special events, I recommend going with a thicker heel. They help distribute your weight a little better than thin heels, which means better balance and comfort.

Shop my picks for the most comfortable shoes below!

Tell me: What are your go-to comfort shoes for chasing littles around?

Best Beauty Products for Arthritis

Jan 17, 2020 | Arthritis, Beauty, Lifestyle | 1 comment

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small compensation if you choose to purchase any products linked below at no extra charge to you! Click here to view our disclosure policy.

The Best Beauty Products for Arthritis

One of the most difficult tasks for people with inflammatory arthritis is getting ready in the morning. Between the fatigue, stiff joints in the morning and whether or not you’re in a flare, simply doing your hair and makeup can be a mountain of a task. Over the years, I’ve figured out the best products to help me get ready in a flash, flare or not.

Revlon One Step Hair Dryer & Hot Air Brush

I genuinely don’t know how I’ve gone so long without discovering this little gem, the Revlon Hot Air Brush! When my arthritis gets bad, sometimes my husband would have to help me blow dry my hair. While he had gotten really good at it, the time and effort this hot air brush has saved me is beyond words.

It used to be a three or more tool job, using both hands — hair dryer, round brush, then a straightening iron or curling iron after. Now, I can use the hot air brush and not even need to straighten my hair! And it gets the job done in a quarter of the time. I’m usually finished with my hair in five minutes flat! It’s absolutely a life-saver for folks with arthritis in their hands. 

Tip: Clip sections of your hair and dry one section at a time, starting from the bottom of your head and working your way up. Trying to dry huge sections of hair will take longer and is more difficult to manage.

Kristin Ess Blow Dry Mist

This blow dry mist by Kristin Ess is a huge helper in getting my blow dry and style time down to five minutes. In fact, a few days ago I forgot to use this product in my hair and it felt like it took me forever to dry my hair! In reality, it was ten minutes, but wow — what a difference! Less is more when it comes to this mist. I have shorter, thin hair and I use only two brief sprays to cover my hair. More than that and it gives your hair a greasy look — not pretty!

Aquis Fast Drying Microfiber Towel

This towel is a cult favorite for a good reason. As you can see, I’m ALL about getting my hair to dry quickly. For most people with arthritis, doing your hair can be one of the most difficult and time-consuming tasks when getting ready in the morning. I’ve had my Aquis Towel for more than two years and it still looks and feels as great as it did when it first came out of the package!

This towel claims to dry hair from wet to damp 50% faster than regular cotton towels… and I believe it. And a bonus to it drying your hair quickly: It helps prevent damage and frizz, too! 

Beaky Makeup Sponges

When I’m having a rough hand day when it comes to my arthritis, sometimes putting on makeup with brushes or fingertips can be difficult. That’s when I reach for the makeup sponges. I love the multipack Beaky offers, because they’re different shapes that are easy to grip. Plus, they’re a bit larger and sturdier than the average makeup sponge, making them even easier to hold. They’re hypoallergenic, too, a must for most people with chronic illnesses.

The key for using these sponges with liquid foundation is to “dot” the foundation on your skin first, then use the sponge to blend it in using a tapping motion. Each sponge lasts about one month, but be sure to clean it every few days by rinsing and applying facial cleanser, then rinse clean.

Use Pump Bottles Over Twist Tops

For those of us with arthritis, we know the battle of twist top packaging. When you can, make sure the beauty products you purchase have pumps or other easily accessible openings instead of twist tops. Shampoo, body wash and face washes are typically easy to find pumps for. Brands like Lorac and Mac have magnetic or pump packaging that make it incredibly easy to use, too!

Do you have any products or tips that make getting ready easier when you’re in a flare? Tell me in the comments below!

Transitioning to solid foods with Beech-Nut® Naturals™ — Arthritis-friendly jars!

Nov 7, 2018 | Arthritis, Baby, Family, Lifestyle | 0 comments

This blog post is sponsored by Beech-Nut® Naturals™. In exchange for this post, I may receive perks and/or compensation; however, all opinions are my own. Click here to view our disclosure policy.

It feels like yesterday I was getting into the swing of having a brand new bambino, figuring out the whole breastfeeding thing and wondering why in the world my kiddo wouldn’t take a pacifier. Now, he’s eight months old and we’re onto solid foods! And boy, does he love his healthy fruits and vegetables.

 

Beech-Nut Naturals Baby Foods - BrendaDalton.com

As good of intentions we have as parents, not every single meal is going to be perfectly made from home, especially when you have a new baby in the family. Whether it’s a matter of time, being out and about or — for many of us with chronic illnesses — energy, sometimes we need an extra hand!

When looking for baby food to take on-the-go, I wanted something made with real fruits and vegetables with ingredients I can pronounce — nothing else.

 

Beech-Nut Baby Foods - BrendaDalton.com

Baby food that’s inspired by homemade

In comes Beech-Nut® Naturals™, which is inspired by homemade. I’m excited to partner with Beech-Nut® Naturals™ as I continue to introduce more flavors to my eight-month-old. We were given a few cute little glass jars to test out courtesy of Beech-Nut® Naturals™, but know that my opinion is 100 percent my own (okay, and baby Grayson’s, too!).

It was a no-brainer to introduce him to Beech-Nut® Naturals™, since it’s 100 percent natural, nothing artificial. With that, I know that I’m starting baby out on the best of the best when it comes to real food.

Being someone with several chronic illnesses, it is so incredibly important to me to start my child off with the right nutrition and set the stage for healthy eating habits. It’s never too early to start!

Flavors babies love

Hands down, my favorite flavor is pumpkin, but I find it way harder to cook and puree pumpkin than any other fruit or vegetable; however, my baby absolutely adores pumpkin. He gives me a run for my money when it comes to loving pumpkin!

Beech-Nut Naturals Baby Foods - BrendaDalton.com

We tried out Beech-Nut®’s Apple & Pumpkin puree and it was a total hit. In fact, had I let him, kiddo would have licked every drop out of the precious honeypot jar! A few other favorites are Just Carrots, Just Pear & Blueberry and Just Green Beans.

Depending on what flavor I’m feeding him, I’ll halve the four ounce jar and pop the rest in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Grayson loves to mix up flavors and have a little taste of several different foods at a meal. We love offering a green vegetable like Just Green Beans and an orange vegetable like Just Sweet Potatoes, then giving a little fruit like Just Apples for dessert. We can’t wait to try out more Stage 2 foods in the coming weeks!

 

Beech-Nut Naturals Baby Foods - BrendaDalton.com


Arthritis-friendly jars

Plus, there’s a bonus for my rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis mamas, papas and others: Their iconic green lid is so incredibly easy to open. I struggle with jars, bottles and even those foil safety seals on food and drinks, but Beech-Nut® Naturals™ jars are a breeze to open. You’ll hear the handy little pop to know it’s open and you’re good to go.

Find Beech-Nut® Naturals™ near you

To learn more about Beech-Nut® Naturals™, visit their website. Beech-Nut® Naturals™ is available at national retailers like Target and Walmart, but you can click here to find a retailer nearest you.

 

Four Things to Know When Diagnosed with a Chronic Illness

Dec 22, 2016 | Arthritis, chronic illness, wellness tips | 0 comments

Note: As I work on becoming more transparent with my life with chronic illness, I’m featuring a blog post I wrote over three years ago, not too long after being diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. I’d love to hear your story, too! Email me at hello AT brendadalton.com. 

New to the world of Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) or chronic illness? Hey! Me, too. About six months ago, while on a beach vacation with family, I woke up with major wrist pain. It escalated. Big time. Four doctors, five months, and several “it’s all in your head/nothing we can do’s” later, I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis by a rheumatologist. Here’s a bit of a crash course for staying sane when you’re diagnosed.

know your triggers

Triggers are different for everyone. Sure, there are some triggers that are across the board, but even then, it is to varying levels. A common one for PsA pals is gluten. Luckily, I didn’t have to go through the process of learning about PsA and deal with learning how to live without crusty garlic bread, chicken nuggets and the ease of eating out anywhere, anytime.

Why? Because I was already gluten sensitive! Ha.

Okay, I’m not laughing at you, if you’re trying to figure out your triggers and find out gluten is one of them. I’m laughing with you. Really. It may feel like the end of the world, but think about this: You’re not alone and it’s 2016.

Gluten-free foods are a lot more common than ever before. Sure, you’ll still get people who have no idea what gluten is and you’ll get eye-rolls when you ask for GF food because they think you’re on a “fad diet” and sometimes, if you’re not careful, you’ll get glutened (even in your own home because you forgot a brand was full of gluten).

Personally, my triggers are gluten, excess sugar, alcohol, stress/anxiety and cold fronts. Not counting the obvious triggers of too much physical activity. Others find nightshades (tomatoes, eggplants, etc.), rain or high humidity put them out of commission.

know your limits

This one is important. I’ve always been the type of person who can be up and going all day. In fact, before I segued into running my own business, I had a job that often kept me on my feet anywhere from four to 14+ hours straight.

As time wore on, fatigue set in. And it hit quickly. Frustration set in when going on a day trip or shopping for a day would leave me first, in absolute pain and second, fatigued and with burning joints for a day or three after.

I’ve learned that during holidays, visiting family, planning outings, I have to plan more than the event itself. It’s important for me to plan my week or at the very least, the day before and after the event.

It’s kind of a bummer that there are no spontaneous zip lining adventures or exploring, kayaking and going out for dinner in one day for me anymore, but man, do I thank myself when I allow a little self-care.

It has taken me months to be okay with taking a quick nap or even laying down for a little while in between client work.

It’s okay to have a rest. Don’t push yourself. It’s a battle – I consistently try to do too much and regret it the next day.

know your support system

Do you know why there are many players on a baseball team? Because they would look ridiculous trying to play pitcher and outfielder, that’s why. And they’d probably die of a heart attack from all of the running and stress.

Find your team. Your support system. A spouse, a parent, a sibling, a friend. There are even in-person and online support groups (hello, Facebook groups!) specifically for Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and more.

Have them hold you accountable. We all want to be strong and take care of ourselves, but with autoimmune diseases and chronic illnesses… that not always going to be easy.

It’s a hard pill to swallow. You’re going to get frustrated with your support system when they tell you to take it easy. You may feel pitied. You may even feel like you’re not heard. That’s normal.

Be open, honest and respectful with your support system. It’s okay to jump in the car with your mom and say, “I’m having a bad day.” Just please, please, please take advantage of your good and great days (or hours) and shout it from the rooftop.

Smile even when your arthritis hits your jaw and you can barely chew. Okay, that suggestion is way too chummy and inspirational for me, especially because wow, it really does suck when you try to smile with your arthritis jaw.

know your humor

Maybe that last sentence could have fallen into this category. I was in a pit of despair when PsA started to take a toll on me and especially before I found the right doctor and started treatment. In fact, it was a little like the stages of grief.

I come from a family that laughs, teases, loves sarcasm and makes jokes a ton. It’s a fact of life. There is no way I was going to let something like a chronic illness take the wind out of my sails on a daily basis.

Sausage fingers? Grab a bun and mustard. Arthritis just before you turn 30? Bring on the low-sugar, gluten-free cake and enough candles to blow the house down!

It’s okay to make fun of yourself. It’s okay to laugh at how our bodies are frankly, confused, and choose to fight against us. It’s okay to cry, too. Not everyday is going to be smiles, but trust me, you can laugh. You can power through. You got this.