I got very sick with the first round of infusion. The horrible headache, and dizzininess and nausea & diarhea and anemia. It was so bad, I did not want to try it again. The first time I used gammagard. It took a full month to feel normal again.

Several months later, my breathing became really bad. So we tried IVIG again but we used a different product, gammunex, and they did it at a much slower rate. It was like day and night the difference. No side effects and my MG symptoms improved a lot.

You should call your neuro before your next dose. There is an IVIG complication called aseptic mennigitis that gives a terrible headache.

I think the first IVIG is a terrible shock to the system and is worse for everyone. But talk to your neuro, maybe they can slow the rate or next time use a different product.

Hope you feel better
kathie

Hi huntress,
There are 2 key things for IVIg:
-rate of infusion: they should strart at 80-100. If everything goes well, they may increase the rate, otherwise they should reduce the rate,
-hydration: you must drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day during the infusion period.
Good luck,
Maurice.

I suffered pretty bad aseptic meningitis the first loading dose of IVIG in the hospital .. I got toradol through the IV for the headache (which was Awesome- non narcotic- relieved the pain great).. My temp was up to almost 103, walking hurt my spine all the way up to my head... they had planned a lumbar puncture for diagnostic purposes of what was wrong with me in the first place, and it showed a lot of WBC's consistent with meningitis .. fun

Anyhow.. the KEY to all my side effects is rate-- They ran me at 200 when I was first hospitalized when I crashed - this caused the worst aseptic meningitis.. Then, I never went over 70 for months, as it would cause chest pain and instant spike in my temp and neck and headache... finally we switched to gammunex (thought to be a "cleaner" IVIG by many).. and slowly we were able to creep up to 100 max now, and I now don't get meningitis anymore.. just feel a little run down... But stronger from the IVIG at the same time

and as others said - lots of water.. good luck! (Oh, i also got strange skin rashes with the rate high - on my palms of my hands - teeny tiny blisters.. again, never get them when My rate is controlled. GOod luck!