IVIG -What to expect
 

Hello,
I am new here and I am hoping to find some info on IVIG. My Father is receiving his first treatment today and I just have no idea what to expect as far as what type or progress he will make. He is so far tolerating it well with no side effects.

The background is that he was a normal healthy 69 year old and developed a severe headache which sent him to the ER. He had a severe brain infection and had surgery to remove an abscess plus 3 months of IV antibiotics. The infection is now gone and MRI is clear, but from the moment he woke up from surgery he was unable to move his muscles hardly at all.

Now 5 months later, with much physical therapy he is able to do very minor things for himself. but he needs assistance with everything. He can walk about 50 feet with a walker and assistance from therapists.

A few months ago he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis and we were told this is the reason he lost all muscle control. Before surgery, he has no issues at all with any muscles. Like I said he is about to finish his first IVIG in a few hours. He will have 5 in a row and then 2 a month for 6 months. Does anyone have any experience with this type of issue? Can anyone offer us any advice on what to expect from IVIG? I know everyone is different, but the Neuro doctor says he is the perfect candidate for this treatment. I am hoping to see him get up and walk out of there by the end of the week, but of course I don't want to get my hopes up. I am just very unfamiliar with how much progress IVIG can offer.

Thanks so much for any help!!

I have not had IVIG, but from what I have read on this forum, I believe it works quickly; within a few days maybe.

As Celeste said - it works differently for all of us. For me, the first time I had IVIG was at the time of my first crisis and it was done in the hospital. I woke up the 3rd morning and thought I had died and gone to heaven! I felt better than I had in months and was actually able to work across the room without tripping and falling! It was wonderful. My results are not as dramatic 9 years in, but it definitely helps me continue to live my life the best I can.

Good luck to your father - hope it works well for him.

I had my first IVIG treatment in August. Five treatments over a 10 day period. Within the first 24 hours I was able to cut my Mestinon dose in half. Felt better than I had in months. The relief was great and felt very quickly.