- Is IV therapy safe?
IV therapy is extremely safe. Before an individual receives any treatment whatsoever, vitals signs are tested, specific blood tests are done to determine safety and a medical history is taken. Every IV therapy session is performed under strict medical supervision. After the treatment ends, patients can resume their activities and daily responsibilities immediately. There is no need for a recovery period.
- How long does a single session last?
Depending upon the condition, treatment, and protocol, sessions of IV therapy can be 30 minutes to a couple of hours. To make the situation more comfortable and relaxing, the Bay Area IV Therapy Center experience features comfy lounge chairs, wifi, uplifting and humorous movies (to enjoy during longer IVs) and an assortment of teas.
- How often should I receive IV therapy?
Because each patient’s case is unique, a customized protocol will be recommended at the time of intake. It is not uncommon to have more than one treatment a week, but many of our patients report feeling more energy and a renewed sense of well-being after just one IV therapy!
- Where does the IV therapy take place?
Unlike other doctors’ offices, the Bay Area IV Therapy Center offers a comfortable, relaxed setting for all our patients receiving IV therapy. Patients are encouraged to recline, unwind, and feel at home. However, we know everyone has a busy, active schedule, which is why many of our patients continue reading, using mobile technology, operating laptops, and pursuing other work-related endeavors while receiving IV therapy.
- If I’m healthy, can I still use IV therapy?
Even if you are not ill, the Bay Area IV Therapy Center practices prevention. Since most of us are or have been exposed to various toxins, IV therapy is an essential step in the cleansing, removal, breakdown, and digestion of harmful substances.
- Does getting IV therapy hurt?
Most patients barely notice anything. At the most, you will feel a slight pinprick.
- What is the difference between IV therapy and oral vitamins?
Since oral vitamins must bypass the acidic nature of the stomach and high-dose vitamins may possibly cause irritation, IV therapy allows for increased absorption right from the start. The second your infusion begins, vitamins, minerals, and other powerful nutrients are instantly circulated through your bloodstream and absorbed by your cells that need it the most; there’s no waiting for the liver or stomach to play catch-up.
- Are there any special guidelines I must follow after my IV therapy?
Not really. We do encourage our IV patients to establish consultation relationships with the doctors at the Bay Area IV Therapy Center to receive an individualized, integrated approach to their health care.
- Is IV therapy customizable?
Absolutely. IV therapy nutrients can be tailored to the specific needs of our patients. Examples include high-dose vitamin C, glutathione, lipoic acid, minerals, amino acids, and detoxification agents.
Patients desiring more comprehensive care (including IV therapy) may schedule a 90-minute first office call with Dr. Connie or Dr. Marcel. The doctor will take a detailed health history and discuss your specific issues with you. Because we require a comprehensive blood test to determine if IV therapy is appropriate and safe for you, the doctor will review any existing lab work and order any necessary lab.
|
Who Would Benefit from IV Vitamin Therapies? Although anyone could benefit from IV therapy, people with the following health concerns seek and benefit greatly from IV therapies:
|
|
Intravenous Vitamin C – Safe, Evidence-Based, Effective IV Vitamin C and Cancer. Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient and a powerful antioxidant. A number of major studies suggest that I.V. Vitamin C can provide significant benefit in a number of cancers, including those that often have a poor prognosis, such as liver cancer, melanoma, and pancreatic cancer. The case for IV vitamin C in working with cancer is stronger than ever. Working with CA with IV vitamin C is not new. High-dose vitamin C has proven to be extremely toxic to a wide variety of cancer cell lines, while leaving normal, healthy cells undamaged. I.V. Vitamin C also boosts the effectiveness of several common chemotherapy drugs. In human trials, IV Vitamin C has been shown to significantly improve quality of life for breast cancer patients and for patients with other cancers. A recent study showed that IV vitamin C significantly reduced inflammation markers in 76 percent of cancer patients. (Low inflammation markers can predict a better prognosis.) Just as impressively, the same trial showed that IV vitamin C decreased tumor markers in 77 percent of prostate cancer patients and 73 percent of breast cancer patients. Studies clearly indicate that cancer patients who begin IV vitamin C therapy early in their illness tend to respond better, as do patients who undergo a greater number of vitamin C infusions. IV Vitamin C for other conditions. Colds and flus, chronic fatigue, allergies, wound healing, inflammation, and some neurologic conditions respond positively to vitamin C infusions. As IV vitamin C can raise neurotransmitter levels, it can help depression. We continue to discover additional applications. IV Vitamin CV: few side effects. Most encouraging is that IV applications of Vitamin C have demonstrated few adverse effects. A small group of people, mainly those of Middle Eastern descent, may have a disorder called G6PD deficiency, which precludes IV Vitamin C treatment. A simple blood test to rule out this condition is part of our routine pre-therapeutic protocol. Why take vitamin C IV instead of taking a pill? High dose oral vitamin C is notorious for causing gastrointestinal discomfort and diarrhea. In addition, very little of the oral dose is absorbed and most is excreted. IV vitamin C results in much higher plasma and intracellular levels. IV vitamin C will not solve all of your problems, but a vast body of scientific evidence shows outstanding safety and efficacy in the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of conditions. Myers Cocktail: Powerful Immune System Boost. The Myers Cocktail is the most common nutritional IV therapy. It is a synergistic blend of vitamins and minerals, consisting of magnesium, calcium, B vitamins and vitamin C. The Myers Cocktail has been used to treat symptoms of aging, general fatigue, immune system problems, chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, Epstein Barr virus, hepatitis, acute asthma attacks, upper respiratory tract infections, chronic sinus infections, seasonal allergies, migraine headaches, muscle spasms and menstrual cramps, as well as to support recovery from endurance athletics. It has been used to help manage the pain associated with chronic degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. And symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and neurological disorders are often lessened by the nutrients in the Meyer’s Cocktail. Many relatively healthy patients choose to receive periodic Myers’ Cocktail injections to enhance their overall well-being. Myers cocktail is named after John Myers, a physician from Baltimore, Maryland who treated patients with IV nutrient therapy for over 25 years. Since then, thousands of patients have received benefit from this cocktail. Is Myers Cocktail right for me if I’m feeling run down, fatigued, or if I am getting a cold? One of the best times for a Nutritional IV is when you are run down, fatigued, under moderate to severe stress or coming down with something. Beneficial effects may last anywhere from days to several months. As many as 50% of those given an IV Myers Cocktail for an oncoming flu/cold/respiratory bug get immediate relief and even resolution of their illness. Others get a significant reduction in the length and severity of an illness. Will Myers Cocktail help with my chronic fatigue syndrome? Patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or fibromyalgia often improve with weekly or twice monthly IV treatments. In some cases, the improvements are after the first IV, others after 3-4 treatments. Some patients become progressively healthier and eventually stop treatment. Other patients require periodic infusions to help themselves function better and to restore energy. How long does a Myers Cocktail take? IV drips usually take about 60 to 90 minutes and pushes take about 20-30 minutes. What other IV therapies are offered at Pacific Naturopathic? In addition to the conditions covered by IV Vitamin C and Myers Cocktail, Pacific Naturopathic offers IV protocols that specifically address the cardiovascular, immune, respiratory, digestive and detoxification systems, as well as neurotransmitter metabolism, inflammatory, skin and eye conditions, and nutrient absorption. Specifically, Pacific Naturopathic offers many different IV nutrient protocols including but not limited to:
What does nutritional IV therapy cost? Pricing varies depending on the specific protocol and the number of treatments purchased, and ranges from $150 per treatment to $250 per treatment. The price does not include the cost of the comprehensive initial assessment or required laboratory work, which are the first steps for new patients interested in IV nutritional therapy. Is Intravenous Nutritional Therapy covered by medical insurance? IV nutritional therapy is generally not covered by medical insurance. However, flexible medical savings accounts may reimburse for these therapies. A medical invoice (superbill) or medical necessity letter will be provided upon request.
|