After more than 30 years with CRPS that began in right foot and spread throughout my body, I have finally recovered. Testing showed that I was not producing Glutathione. Testing also showed extremely low IgG and subclasses. Intravenous glutathione treatment helped but did not reverse or stop the disease. IvIg helped much more. Once I started getting 20 grams of IvIg every 21 days, I improved rapidly. I used to have constant involuntary muscle twitching and cramping of legs, feet, fingers, hands, memory problems and other body areas - not to mention the severe pain, periods of swelling and sweating and color changes, etc. I'm no longer in pain! No more involuntary muscle twitching or cramping either. If I am on my feet too much, then they hurt. But, they recover the next day. I am off all medications, which were: Neurontin 3600mg per day, Cymbalta 120mg per day, Klonopin 2mg at bedtime, Methadone 5mg twice a day. I'm drug free and pain free!!!! My doctor says that research results seem to indicate that about 50% of people with autoimmune, neurodegenerative disorders are able to be helped with IvIg.

It is too bad that insurance companies will pay for drugs that don't work AND have undesirable effects (the marketing term for these is "side effects") but will not pay for IvIg.

IvIg must the right brand, such as Privogen, the brand my doctor has been using without any problems for many years. Any brand of IvIg that uses sucrose in its mixture is dangerous.

Before receiving IvIg treatment, patients should have a blood test for IgG and subclasses plus IgA. Measuring IgA is important, because people with low levels of IgA are unable to tolerate IvIg therapy.

Other countries are using IvIg. In Canada, for instance, the government pays for people to receive IvIg treatment. The MNI, the Montreal Neurological Institute, provides IvIg treatment (Privogen)to people with Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune, neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.

PS. Re Love Family Pets: I love my Bouvier des Flandres dog!!!