caffeine to prevent IVIG headache
 

I'm just passing this on in case it's helpful. I have had three courses of IVIG, a total of 13 days. I ended up with a stubborn headache for all but one of these days, in spite of taking ibuprofen beforehand, staying hydrated, and running it slowly (75 ml/hour). The last day I had a cup of coffee part-way through the infusion, and it seemed to help a lot: no headache! I know that caffeine is used to treat some kinds of headaches, but be careful because it can be tricky: it can give you a headache or make a headache you already have worse. I only recommend it for people who know how caffeine usually affects them.

Abby

Funny I usually drink a couple cups in my first hour. Only had 2 mild headaches in all my treatments.
Mike

A quick google search shows at least one website recommending caffeine for prevention of IVIG headaches because it dilates blood vessels in the head. Other sites discourage caffeine, because it's a diuretic, and you don't want to be dehydrated. For this reason, still others recommend stopping any caffeine intake during and before the course of IVIG--which is very foolish advice indeed, because there's no easier way to get a horrible headache than to abruptly disrupt a caffeine habit.

Anyway, here's to the kind nurse who got me a cup of coffee on her lunch break.

Abby

Abby, That's great that it helps you. Caffeine can increase both dopamine and acetylcholine. For some, that will help. For others, not so much! ;)

Some migraines have been associated with a lack of acetylcholine. There are some fairly recent studies on that in PubMed. I'd get them but I screwed up my back (MG) and can't sit.

Too much MSG, like that which naturally occurs in tomatoes, can give you a headache or make one worse. Some people have trouble with prostaglandins like fish that give them headaches (me included).

Coffee also contains a lot of potassium. Could that be a factor too?

I hope your experience helps others.

Annie