Hate to beat a dead horse here...heeheee. But is a plasma exchange the same thing as an IVIG????

Hi JCP,
Nope, Plasma Exchange (or plasmapheresis) is not the same as IVIg, however they have the same objective: reduce the level of antibodies in your blood…
In PE, part of your blood circulation is connected to a machine which filters these antibodies out. One session usually lasts 1 to 2 hours in a blood center and is again usually repeated five times every two days whereas IVIg consists in the injection of human immunoglobulines from blood donors. The treatment last about 5 days, 15 bottles total, each one injected in 2 to 4 hours.
Neither is a permanent cure as the production source for the antibodies is not adressed to, therefore, they have to be repeated regularly every 1 to 3 months depending of your MG level. They may also be used as a one-shot treatment to get over a crisis or to temporily improve your condition, before surgery for instance
I hope these bits of info would clarify the subject, you can learn more with some goggling…
Maurice.

Hi JCPA! Looooove the icon - beating the dead horse! It gave me a good laugh!

Maurice is so flippin smart! IV IG is a bit less invasive - they go through your arm to administer it, PE (for me @ least) requires a jugular cath - yuck! That is one of the reasons I really don't like it - that and the fact that IV IG works great for me!

That being said, they have both been known to HELP so many people and (in my humble opinion) are wonderful! Again, some people don't react as well, others do GREAT! You DO want to be somewhere with actual knowledge and a great staff - my dr won't let me even have it @ home - that is an option for some people - but he doesn't feel that there is anyone qualified to do it HERE in San Antonio, Texas!

You need to be your biggest advocate here - tell your dr or nurse if you feel funny - ask questions - what are they getting paid for? Don't be afraid to ask ANYTHING! I prolly drive my neuro crazy, but I go with my list o' questions to my appointments! Granted, I believe I have the best, most wonderful, amazing Dr in the whole world b/c he actually LISTENS and explains things to me like a normal human - none of the "talking down" to me!

Feel free to ask ANYTHING on this site as well - most of us have "been there, done that"! I know for me it has been a life saver! There are so many smart and very caring people here!

I understand your fear, sweetie! I really do! MG is scary! Having to take all of this in is scary, but it does get better! It really does! When I had my first dose of IV IG I cried the enitire time they placed the line and was shaking like crazy - -thought I'd never get over it - now I just hand them my arm and tell them "Go for it!"

Big hugs!
Erin

I don't have anything to add to these good responses, other than to say I love the beating a dead horse graphic too!

Annie

Glad to see other people have the same sick sense of humor! LOL! How are you doing today?

Big hugs!
Erin

I'm doing good Erin.thankyou kindly ...the question is...How R U?? I know you have had some pain these past few days....