Multiple Sclerosis Infusion Therapy

Optimum Infusion provides clinically supervised, specialty infusion therapy, for patients living with multiple sclerosis, in a private, comfortable setting with careful monitoring throughout treatment.

Caring for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis does not follow a schedule. Symptoms can shift, some days are harder than others, and ongoing treatment can add stress. If you have reached the point of infusion therapy, we want the next step to feel clear, comfortable, and well coordinated.

At Optimum Infusion, patients receive care from a dedicated clinical team focused on attentive, coordinated infusion support in a comfortable setting.

A nurse tending to a patient in an infusion chair

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, your brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. In MS, your immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers that lets signals travel quickly and accurately between your brain and the rest of your body. Damaged myelin slows or interrupts those signals; over time, the underlying nerve fibers themselves can also be permanently damaged.

MS presents in several forms, including relapsing-remitting MS (the most common), primary-progressive MS, and secondary-progressive MS. There is currently no cure, but multiple effective treatments can substantially reduce relapse frequency and slow disease progression, especially when started early.

Causes & Risk Factors

  • Genetic factors. Specific immune-related genes, most notably variants of HLA-DRB1, are associated with higher MS risk
  • Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Recent research provides strong evidence that EBV infection is necessary (though not sufficient on its own) for MS to develop
  • Low vitamin D and limited sun exposure. MS rates are notably higher in regions farther from the equator
  • Smoking increases both MS risk and the rate of disease progression
  • Obesity in adolescence has been linked to higher MS risk later in life
  • Sex. MS is 2 to 3 times more common in women than men

Common Symptoms

  • Vision problems (including optic neuritis: blurred or painful vision in one eye)
  • Dizziness, vertigo, and balance problems
  • Muscle weakness, stiffness, or spasticity
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in limbs or face
  • Fatigue that’s often disproportionate to activity
  • Cognitive symptoms, memory issues, trouble concentrating, slower information processing
  • Bladder and bowel problems
  • Sexual dysfunction

Diagnosis

  • Evaluation by a neurologist
  • MRI of the brain and spinal cord. The primary diagnostic tool
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis, via lumbar puncture, looking for oligoclonal bands or elevated IgG index
  • Evoked potential testing measures electrical signaling in the visual or sensory pathways

Treatment Approaches

  • Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) to reduce relapses and slow progression
  • Corticosteroids for short-term management of acute relapses
  • Symptom-targeted medications for spasticity, neuropathic pain, bladder dysfunction, fatigue, or depression
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy to maintain function and quality of life
  • Biologic therapies targeting specific immune pathways

Comfort designed around you

Our infusion center is designed to provide a calm, welcoming experience with comfortable seating, privacy dividers, and personal attention throughout your visit.

Schedule an infusion

Clinical care you can trust

Infusions are administered under your provider’s orders, with experienced nurses monitoring your care throughout treatment.

Timely access to care

Once we receive your referral, our team works quickly to begin the intake and insurance process and coordinate your care.

Benefits of Infusion Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis

Treatment that targets immune activity

Some MS infusion therapies target specific immune cells involved in the abnormal immune response that damages the nervous system. This may help reduce inflammatory activity related to MS.

An option for certain forms of MS

Some IV therapies are used for relapsing forms of MS, and some are also used for primary progressive MS. Your neurologist determines which therapy is appropriate for your diagnosis and history.

Care with ongoing monitoring

Your infusion is given by experienced nurses under your provider’s orders and established clinical protocols. If monitoring is needed, your care team is there to watch you closely and provide support during treatment.

Connected care with your physician

After each visit, clinical notes are shared with your provider. This helps keep your treatment plan organized and supports communication between your care teams.

Multiple Sclerosis Therapies at Optimum Infusion

Our team administers the following IV biologic therapies for Multiple Sclerosis. Your physician determines which therapy is appropriate for your diagnosis and health history. Optimum Infusion administers the treatment as ordered.

View Ocrevus

Ocrevus

  • Multiple Sclerosis

Learn more

View Tysabri

Tysabri

  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Multiple Sclerosis

Learn more

Patient and nurse meeting

Submitting A Referral Is Straight Forward

Once we receive the required order and supporting documentation, our team starts the intake process and insurance verification as quickly as possible. We work closely with referring providers to coordinate treatment and keep communication clear throughout the process.

Submit an infusion order

Your Experience At Optimum Infusion

Whether this is your first infusion or you’re transferring your care to us, here’s what your experience will look like.

A Comfortable, Relaxing Environment

Your infusion takes place in a thoughtfully designed setting with comfortable seating and privacy dividers that help create a calm, personal space. Whether you’d like to read, stream a show, work, or simply relax, our goal is to make your time with us as comfortable as possible. A guest is welcome to join you during your visit.

Attentive Care from Start to Finish

A registered nurse monitors you throughout your infusion according to medication-specific protocols and your provider’s orders. Vital signs are checked when appropriate, and our team remains available during your visit. If you have had infusion reactions in the past, please let us know before your appointment.

Know What to Expect

Infusion times vary depending on the medication and dose. Some visits may last several hours. Before your appointment, our team will provide an estimated treatment time so you can plan your day with confidence.

Helpful Resources

  1. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. What is MS? https://www.nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/what-is-ms
  2. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH. Multiple Sclerosis. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/multiple-sclerosis
  3. International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium. Multiple sclerosis genomic map implicates peripheral immune cells and microglia in susceptibility. Science. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aav7188
  4. Marrodan M, Alessandro L, Farez MF, et al. The role of infections in multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler J. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7773893/
  5. Bjornevik K, Cortese M, Healy BC, et al. Longitudinal analysis reveals high prevalence of Epstein-Barr virus associated with multiple sclerosis. Science. 2022;375(6578):296-301. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abj8222

This information is for general education and isn’t medical advice. Your prescribing provider decides whether a therapy is right for you. If you have questions about your treatment, talk with your provider.