Actually David, the statement comparing IVIG to steroids makes no sense at all. They are two entire different approaches to treatment and work in separate ways.

The IVIG is basically an immune modulator of sort when used for autoimmune conditions and neuropathy. It helps keep the autoimmune process of attacking your own tissues at bay.

Steroids on the other hand is an immune suppressor that works by reducing the attack on your tissues/nerve fibers/etc that is based from an inflammatory process. The steroids will reduce the inflammation and therefore help to allow better function of the nerve fibers as well as healing and growth.

So the steroid approach will show nothing as for how your body will respond to IVIG...NOTHING. If you have an inflammatory based neuropathy, then you will likely do well on a short course of steroids. If your neuropathy is autoimmune based, then IVIG would provide a better treatment course and reduce those flares.

Frankly, the steroid course is a good idea...it will tell you if it is inflammatory based and how well you will respond to reduced inflammation (whether your symptoms improve). But of course, steroids carry HUGE risk factors for many different body systems. They can reek havoc everywhere and damage is often permanent. Bones, skin, blood sugar, eyes, adrenal glands, weight, and dependency (Cushing's syndrome) are all reasons to use steroids with extreme caution...for SHORT term.

IVIG carries it's own side-effects...serious ones. The kidneys must be monitored as IVIG is protein based and hard on the kidneys to process this amount. There is also blood clots to worry about and infection (it is a blood product). You won't get HIV, Hep C, etc but there are still other viruses that can get through the production of IVIG.

But anyway, if your symptoms seem to be more inflammatory based, then give the steroid course a try...you'll know rather quickly if it will work (it won't take 8 weeks to see improvement). Most insurance companies want you to try (and fail) conventional treatments first before they authorize IVIG anyway...so you likely won't have a choice about where to start. IVIG is extremely expensive and in short supply (being a blood product), so criteria to receive it is fairly strict.