 |
Senior Member
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,471
|
|
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Antonio
Posts: 1,471
|
Hey sweetie!
Oh Lizzie! I am so sorry to hear that you are havig such a tough time......you have enough on your plate without all this new crap to deal with !
I get IV IG monthly in order to reduce the need for my roids. I would advise a PICC line - the needle for the IV IG is BIG, b/c the liquid is pretty thick and gooey, plus veines seem to blow easier since we are on all the meds.....
Once the line is inserted (they find the best vein and "feed" a line about 30 cm. to the area above your heart) they add all of the bandaging and start the process.
I have always had good experences with IV IG. In fact, they USED to run my meds @ 360 mL an hour, but have slowed it waaaaay down to prevent kidney damage. Wear comfy clothes and plan on spending most of the day @ the hospital. They will check your blood pressure and temp every 15 min and keep bumping up the speed of the plasma until they reach the "max" limit.
If you respond well, you should feel it within a few days! I felt so great after one treatment tht I was able to decorate my entire home for our annual xmas party! It was AWESOME!
The worst part for ME was the placement of the line! As you know, I don't like needles @ all, so that wasn't any fun, but I do love IV IG! I call it my "liquid gold" or "go-go" juice!
I am given 500 mL for 5 days in a row. It takes me about 5-6 hours now. I take my comp and work while I am having it done......
Do you have anyone to take you? You MAY feel a little weaker at first, but I bet you are going to LOVE it!
Big, big hugs!
Erin
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxwell'sMom
Hi, I saw my neuro yesterday, and since the CycloSporine is contributing to my kidney damage, i have to wean off of it, and will be starting IVIG's
I'm curious about the time of doing it.
How long is it usually, how many times per one treatment does one have to go in to have it done...etc.
What side effects did you experience.
My neuro told me the most people have complained to him was headaches, and with me, he can't rule out an alergic reaction, but we must try it, as we're running out of treatment my body will tolerate. 
He gave me a choice, either Plasma, or IVIG, he said, he'd choose IVIG, and since I completely trust his judgements, I'm going with the IVIG. And then we'll wean off of Cyclosporine, and if it really does well in me, I'll be able to actually wean off of Prednisone. 5 years is a long time to be on it. So tired of my cheeks.
My legs just about gave out in front of him. He said, I'm getting pretty weak, and seemed very worried. I'm so glad my butt wasn't slapped in the hospital.
I really appreciate anything you're willing to share on your experiences with Ivig's . Don't want to go in blindsighted.
Love Lizzie
|
__________________
Erin
.
|