So I had my two IViG treatments Wednesday and Thursday...I passed out both days during the procedure due to the benedryl (that stuff is really strong!). Anyway, the first day, I was only asleep for 2.5 hours, so I was able to hydrate well during the procedure, but yesterday, I was asleep for about 4-hours. When I woke up, my hands were really swollen (which isn't uncommon for me for them to be a bit swollen but they were REALLY swollen)...I felt really groggy and swollen all over...Like my body was a sponge filled with the stuff...Anyway, today I woke up with an excruciating headache-the mother of all headaches...I have never had a headache like this before...Anyway, I ended up going to the hospital...They wanted me to do a catscan, but I figured that maybe the headache was a normal side-effect of the treatment (the doc. only wanted to do the scan as a precaution, he felt that my headache wasn't too serious), although I am still a bit worried about it....I feel sick...My left eye is swollen and red...i feel a bit nauseous...I declined the scan since they said that there's a lot of radiation involved and I already have a thymoma and a tendency to have lumpy breasts (fibroadenoma, cysts)...

How many others have developed a really bad headache from the treatments? I don't really feel different, almost worse...I have a feeling that plasma is better for me...I guess I will have to see since I know it can take a few days to work....

It's funny how this treatment works...For people who don't have an immune system, it provides one...For people have an immune system, but one who doesn't like their own body (lol), it seems to suppress it...I feel so fluish and not much better!

Anyway, I hope my headache goes away tomorrow morning...I'm scared of what I will find when I wake up tomorrow!


Nicky

hope you're feeling a bit better if not alot!!

Hi Nicky,

I'm so sorry you feel so terrible. I've never had that treatment but many here have as you know. I'm sure you'll get some replies from them soon. Were you told you could possibly get these side effects? I sure hope you are feeling better soon. Hang in there!

Take care,
Pat

Oh man...I still have the headache....Thanks for the well-wishes, guys....I wish the nurses had woken me up to drink water while I was asleep....Argh! This headache is brutal

Nicky, sorry for the pain you are going through. I hope you start feelling better soon.

I HATE - HATE benadryl! I REFUSE to take it b/c it knocks me OUT and makes me feel drunk as a skunk.
I wonder why they don't give you fluids (via IV) while you have your IV IG........you can refuse the benadryl if you so choose. I never, ever take my pre-meds. EVER! I have found that taking them makes me feel worse than than anything else, and the nurses understand.
As for the headaches; I've never had one after IV IG - don;t know why. I am so sorry to hear you aren't feeling well and are swollen. The swelling IS one of the side effects of IV IG - so I've heard. I also swell up after it - that's why I drink fluids until I'm ready to "pop" the night b/4! LOL!
THe plasma exchange may work better for you. It is more invasive, but it does do the trick.
Hope you feel better soon!
Big, big hugs!
Erin