to get IVIG....There are a very many on-label and off-label uses for it.
The way you state your husband is to start it is standard and safe protocol. And a trial is usually the only way to see if it helps. And for many having different conditions it helps from 20-60% who receive it.
Here is are some very long discussions about it from a while ago:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread14904.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread15773.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread20207.html

Another issue that needs to be considered is insurance. IF you've a top notch neuro he will 'find' a way to clear it thru the insurance mazes for approval. If you are on Medicare/Medicaid tho it gets very sticky unless you have supplemental insurance and the co-pays can be killers. Medicare etc only now pays for what are called 'genetic or inherited' conditions and not those such as CIDP[acquired].
Here is one insurance plans' criteria for approval to administer IVIG and what testing must be done in advance:
http://www.aetna.com/products/rxnonm...IVIG_2007.html
[BTW, I'm surprised to see the requirement of a nerve biopsy-in this document as 6-months ago they stated that seural biopsies were not conclusive/too invasive and that punch biopsies were still experimental. Soo, you need a doc who is REALLY up on these things, and it sounds like yours is]
Here is another plans requirements:
http://www.bluecrossma.com/common/en...ulin%20prn.pdf
Now keep in mind that these are 'general' guidlines and may not relate to your particular coverage. Wish it was simpler? But, Your prescribing doctor's office should be the one to dot all the "I's" and cross all the 'T's.

If there are no 'reactions' that are serious, and there is 'some' improvement the treatments could be continued indefinitely. Depending on your insurance and your doctors orders you might have to continue infusions at a hospital or 'infusion clinic' or thru a home service. I have done all three and really prefer the home service! Meds and all the other stuff come the day before I'm to start infusions, nurse comes the next two days and I'm done. Just be sure to keep a record of what brand of IVIG is used, and notes of the dose each time as well as the rates. Faster rates can cause BIG-TIME headaches! That will not be done in the hospital setting, but in other settings it is known to happen.

As for actually getting the stuff? Well, yes I have CIDP, but it was over a year before I was finally diagnosed and treated. I really do know about the hands issues - to need to use both hands to use a fork or spoon to get food from a bowl to your mouth is not a graceful or fun thing! I saw improvement by my second day of infusing! For others it can take two or three rounds to kick in, for some others as long as six months. So be patient? As long as it doesn't get worse [whatever it is!] that can be a blessing in itself.

I no longer 'love' my infusions per se, because after four years of having 'IV lines' put into me, I'm becoming what nurses call a 'hard stick'. But there are ways around that if and when needed. I do APPRECIATE them greatly tho, because I am no longer totally reliant on my cane and can stand and walk for 1/2 hour to hour periods and can drive-tho carefully. I plan on keeping as mobile as possible for as long as possible! I got a lot of that back because of the IVIG, no doubt about it - I hope your husband gets some help and relief with it as well.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions about it all. Also do check out the web site Kmeb cited: http://www.igliving.com/ Just click on the 'blue'.

Keep us updated on it all, please! - !!! - j

PS I know it is a LOT to take in, but keep at it? I hope you find that it is worth it! I truly do - I know that PAIN!