Does someone know if it's possible to get them at the same time?
I get IvIG every 3 weeks and don't want to stop this. I am, however, still too weak and I never tried Plasmapheresis.
Something in me tells me it can't: plasmapheresis will wash out the ivig I got a few days earlier.

Another question for those who've had both: what is the effect on your MG?
IvIg for me, a big course of 5 days works so good. I love it. But it only works for 2 weeks and I crash down. So, unfortunatly, this is not a treatment option for me.
Every 3 weeks I get 1 day which helps me but not near as good as the big one.

I "thought" it was one or the other but...

I get 4 days of 40ccs.i am like you, and feel like it's good but so much at once by the end I felt like I needed it again. I asked my neuro to go 2 days 40ccs every two weeks. She just cut me to 2 days... we will see how this goes. It's been two weeks and so far so good.

Each MG person I so different though.

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Just had both in the hospital, couple of weeks ago. Ivig did no good. Plasmapheresis helped a lot, but know how long it will last. Doctors told me everyone is different in length of results.
Wish you much luck.
FREDH

You are correct in that the plasmaphersis will undo the IVIG, so you really can't do them together.

As far as dosage on the IVIG, my understanding is the normal dosage is 2.0 gms per kilogram of weight per month. After discussing with my neuro, I spread mine out over the month and get .4/gms per kg once weekly. This means I go in weekly, but it does a better job of managing my mg. You could also possibly do .4/gms per kg for 2 days every 2 weeks, or whatever works for you. My neuro is willing to work with me on the timing as long as it equals out to 2.0 gms/kg monthly.

Hope this helps.

I get 800 mg/kg every month.
2 mg/kg is the big one (5 days 400 mg/kg/day) and I was told you can't have this too often.

It may be a possibility to have it more often?

I am craving to feel like those few precious days after a 5 days course.

No, it's not more often, it's just spreading out the dosage as a maintenance dose instead of getting it all in one week. I agree I feel great for about 2 weeks after the large dose, but then spend 2 weeks feeling horrible. Spreading the total dosage out over the month does a better job for me.

I don't understand why you can't have the large dosage once a month it that works for you. I know quite a few people who get the 5 days monthly and that works for them. But of course, you do have to work with your doctor. Perhaps a suggestion about spreading the dosage out might work. Good luck!

Same here but my Neurologist says IVIG only if in crisis. So have not had it for a long time and it's the only thing that has ever made me feel any better.

The plasmapharesis 'cleans out' the acetylcholine antibodies enough for the meds to start working. At least that's what it did for me. I went from near-Crisis to back to work in two weeks.

But 2 g/kg every month, isn't that going to cause your blood to thicken?

I have 800 mg/kg monthly, so 2 g/kg monthly is a big difference. Isn't there a much higher chance of thrombosis if you get so much repeatedly?
I don't know if this thickening of the blood is cummulative, but it kind of scares me.

Do you take blood thinners or have a special diet?
Thank you.

I don't have any problems - don't take blood thinners or have a special diet. Can't say I have ever heard of this as a side affect of IVIG. Since it is completely out of your system in 3-4 weeks, don't see how it could be a cumulative problem; but, I'm not a doctor so don't take my word for it. I just know I don't have any such problems and I have been doing this for 10 years.

Good luck!