If your doctor has ordered infusion therapy, you'll need to prepare yourself for the appointments. There are some things you can do that will help make the sessions more comfortable and productive. The tips provided below will help you prepare for your infusion therapy sessions.

Keep a Treatment Journal

Now that you'll be going through infusion therapy, it's important that you keep a treatment journal. Your journal will allow you to write down any questions or concerns you might have during your treatment. It will also allow you to remember key details about your treatment sessions. Your doctor will need to monitor how your body is responding to the treatments. When you keep a journal with you during your sessions, you can write down details that you can discuss with your doctor at your next appointment.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

When you arrive for your infusion sessions, the nurses will need to begin with an IV. If your veins aren't prepared, your IV may be difficult to start. While you're going through infusion therapy, make sure you stay hydrated, especially on infusion days. In fact, be sure to drink extra water for a couple of days before each infusion appointment. That way, the nurses will have an easier time starting your IVs.

Think About Your Comfort

During you're preparing for your infusion appointments, you'll want to think about your comfort. First, wear comfortable clothes so that you can relax during your treatment. Second, bring along a few snacks so that you don't get too hungry during your treatment sessions. Third, bring a pillow and blanket from home. They can help keep you comfortable during treatment. Finally, bring some comfy socks to keep your feet warm.

Bring Some Entertainment

Your treatment sessions may take a while, which means boredom might set in while you're there. To battle the boredom and fatigue that can accompany your infusion therapy appointments, be sure to bring some entertainment along with you. Bringing a portable DVD player, handheld game system, or laptop will allow you to entertain yourself during treatment. If there's enough room at the infusion center, arrange to bring a friend along. They can keep you entertained and grab snacks for you throughout the day.

If you have infusion therapy scheduled, use the tips described above to prepare for the sessions. Contact a medical office like Idaho Arthritis Center about other steps you can take to prepare for your appointments.