Tracy,
I had Ivig with very little if any results so my neuro tried plasmapheresis and it helped a lot. Yes, the machine had to be brought in by the Red Cross and the first machine broke so had to send for another on, blah, blah, blah.....but it was well worth the difference.
I could talk and swallow afterwards. If Ivig is not working, ask for pp.

Plasmapheresis did not help me but I wanted to tell you my experience. Mine was performed at the hospital and I was sitting in a reclining chair. They had given me some numbing cream to put on my arms where the needle would be inserted and I would put that on before I left the house and that did help. Also I have great viens so that helped also. You have a needle in one arm that will be the outflow and a needle in the other arm that will be the inflow.

I could watch TV or just relax and nap. It was hard to actually sleep because they are checking the needles and the blood flow and your blood pressure at scheduled intervals. It took about 1 hour and 20 to 30 minutes.

One time the inflow line wasn't working and they had to quickly switch the needles and it took two nurses to perform that procedure.

One time the nurse wasn't wearing eye protection and some of my blood shot up into her eye. This was the height of stupidity.

After 12 procedures and no change in my condition, I said enough.

Hope you have a successful treatment.

Southern Bell
:grouphug:

Wow, plasmapheresis is way faster than IVIG! I need some boredom suggestions for IVIG...I got two consecutive days every other week ( 2 1/2 years now) and I am there from 10 am till 4 pm!