Welcome to IV Wellness, where we prioritize your well-being with our highly personalized IV sessions. First timer? Great! We love introducing people to the power of IV therapies, and we understand that you have many questions. In this article, we will guide you on how to prepare for your IV session and provide insights from Joanie Lingmerth RN, BSN, MBA, our owner and resident expert in the field. Discover what to expect during your session and how IV therapy can help alleviate various health issues and elevate your overall wellness.

Preparation:

When preparing for your IV session, it’s essential to keep a few things in mind. First and foremost, ensure you have something to eat before your session. IV Wellness recommends a small portion of starchy foods rather than fruits and vegetables. The reason behind this is if B- Complex (B1, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12) and zinc are desired and added to the IV solution, if infused on an empty stomach, they MAY cause nausea. AVOIDING a fruit/vegetable smoothie, for example, just before a vitamin infusion, is advised because they already contain vitamins and minerals, which could potentially cause an
overload when combined with the IV infusion. 

In most cases, IV sessions are sought after due to dehydration, stomach flu or an inability to consume fluids orally. While some may suggest hydrating before your IV session, IV Wellness is staffed exclusively by highly experienced infusion nurses, and are able to find veins regardless of patients’ hydration levels. However, whenever possible, hydrating beforehand may make it easier to locate veins for those who are severely dehydrated. Keep in mind that our team of Registered nurses at IV Wellness has the expertise to ensure a successful IV placement, regardless of your hydration status.

Timing is Crucial:

To maximize the benefits of IV therapy for IMMUNE support, it’s important to receive treatment within 24 to 72 hours of experiencing your first symptom. Waiting for symptoms to pass before seeking IV therapy might allow the virus or bacteria to further establish itself. However, even if you reach out after this timeframe, an IV session can still help boost your immune system to regain its strength more quickly.

At the first sign of an illness, receiving IV therapy can have significant benefits. It can shorten the duration of your illness or even eliminate symptoms altogether. Joanie and her team of Registered nurses have witnessed such outcomes firsthand, not only with their clients, but with themselves and their families. By acting promptly and giving your immune system the boost it needs, you can potentially minimize the impact and duration of the illness.

What to Expect During Your IV Session

When you schedule an IV session with IV Wellness, here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect from start to finish. The entire process typically takes about 45 minutes from the Nurse’s arrival to departure.

1. Setup and Preparation:

Upon arrival, the Nurse will take approximately five to six minutes to set up the IV. This is usually done at a convenient location like a kitchen table with a chair.  At IV Wellness, we prioritize your comfort and convenience during the IV session. Once the IV is started you have the freedom to select your preferred seating arrangement. Whether you choose to sit by the pool, work at your office, lounge on the couch, or even stay in bed, our mobile IV pole ensures flexibility and mobility. You can enjoy the infusion while going about your daily activities, such as using your computer, watching TV or relaxing in your favorite spot.

2. IV Insertion and Infusion:

Once the setup is complete, the nurse will begin the process of inserting the IV. The actual infusion time can range from 15 to 35 minutes, depending on various factors such as the person’s weight and/or previous experience with vitamin IVs, as well as a patient’s sensitivity level to vitamins.  The actual dose of vitamin C (which is based on a patient’s weight) can also influence the infusion speed. The nurse will adjust the rate accordingly to ensure a comfortable experience.

3. Personalized Assessment and Prescription:

During the infusion, the nurse will ask you important questions that help determine which vitamins are most suitable for your needs. Unlike other places that may rely on “IV menus,” IV Wellness takes a personalized approach. The nurse carefully assesses your condition and discusses the best vitamin options for your specific requirements. All the vitamins used are prescription-grade and are added to the IV bag right in front of you, ensuring transparency and customization.

Another aspect that sets IV Wellness apart is the individualized dosing of immune-boosting vitamins, particularly Vitamin C. Your nurse will calculate the appropriate dose based on your body weight, ensuring maximum efficacy. For example, a person weighing 150 pounds would receive approximately 14,000 milligrams of Vitamin C, while a person weighing 300 pounds would receive nearly 30,000 milligrams. Higher doses of Vitamin C, Vitamin D, zinc, and glutathione contribute to the overall cost of the immune-boosting IV due to the higher product and prescription costs involved.

4. Open Communication:

Throughout the session, your Registered nurse will maintain open communication with you. They provide information about the dosages being administered for your personal health. This transparency allows you to be aware of exactly what is going into your system and ensures a collaborative experience.  In addition, our nurses inform you of YOUR specific doses of Vitamin C and Glutathione in the event you are traveling and start to experience cold symptoms, you will be prepared and know exactly what to tell another IV Nurse exactly what you want or need.

5. Results:

Whether you’re recovering from a hangover, food poisoning, or a prolonged illness, IV therapy can offer rapid relief and immune support. If you’re dehydrated due to vomiting, diarrhea, or other factors, you can expect to feel better in less than 10 minutes after the IV fluids begin flowing into your bloodstream. The immediate hydration helps replenish your body, restoring vital fluids and electrolytes. Alternately, when you’re sick with conditions like COVID, flu, strep throat, or the common cold, an IV infusion can provide an immune boost that aids in your recovery. It usually takes 12 to 24 hours after the IV therapy for you to experience improvements. The next morning, you may notice a reduction in fever, sore throat, and other symptoms—around 75-90% of your discomfort may have dissipated.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

As a first-timer, you may have more questions about what to expect during your IV session. Let’s address some of the most common concerns:

How long does the entire process take? 

From the moment you arrive until the nurse’s departure, the entire IV session typically lasts 45 minutes. This includes the arrival of the infusion nurse, setting up the IV, and completing the infusion. The infusion itself can take anywhere between 15 to 35 minutes, depending up various factors.

How much will it cost?

The cost of your IV session is influenced by the purpose of the treatment. For instance, if you are seeking an IV session for hangover relief or food poisoning recovery, the price will be closer to $250. These sessions typically include fewer vitamins and lower doses of certain nutrients. On the other hand, if you require IV therapy for conditions like COVID, strep throat, flu, or the common cold, a comprehensive immune-boosting IV is recommended. This higher-tier IV session, priced at $350, includes ALL seven essential vitamins, with specific emphasis on vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and glutathione, with significantly higher doses of Vitamin C (these doses are based on YOUR weight). The inclusion of these vital components enhances your immune system’s response and aids in detoxification.

How many people can receive infusions simultaneously?

At IV Wellness, we can accommodate approximately four people receiving infusions at the same time. We have experience handling larger groups, such as parties with up to 20 people, including bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, showers, and wedding parties. As the fourth person gets connected, we begin disconnecting the first person and continue rotating in this manner. This allows for a continuous flow of infusions. 

In terms of timing, we can typically take care of about five people within an hour and a half, or two to three people within an hour. Our goal is to provide efficient and personalized service, ensuring that everyone receives the attention and care they need during their infusion session.

What if I’m afraid of needles or have tiny veins?

Many individuals express fear or nervousness about needles. However, Joanie clarifies that once the needle gently enters the skin to access the vein, the needle is immediately withdrawn and only the catheter remains throughout the IV session.  It’s quick and painless even for the most anxious of patients.

Some people believe they have tiny veins or consider themselves to be difficult sticks. First, note there are various sized needles suited for individual patient’s needs. Joanie emphasizes the importance of assessing vein size upon arrival. Interestingly, she notes that in her and her team’s experience, the majority of individuals who claim to have tiny veins actually have perfectly suitable veins for IV insertions. Often, previous experiences with less experienced practitioners who faced difficulties in finding the veins may have led to this perception. However, IV Wellness’s expertise enables them  to locate veins efficiently and effectively, often achieving successful insertion on the first attempt.

We hope that answers all of your burning questions about IV therapy, but are always here to lend an ear and address all of your concerns. We want you to feel secure in your experience and trust in your results – your optimal wellness is our main priority. We can’t wait for you to fall in love with IV Wellness and feel truly revitalized.