IVIG and NS (Normal Saline) compatability?
 

I have a question for those of you that get IVIG... WHen i started this almost 4 years ago they couldn't even flush my IV with NS, as it wasn't' compatible with IVIG.. I guess they have since said it was ok to flush with NS..

The nurses at the infusion center mentioned today, possibly running the IVIG with NS at the same time to maybe allow my rate to be increased- does anyone do this? What happens when IVIG and NS mix? Does it make it inactive, clot ?? just curious.. I'd love to have my rate go above 100.. but don't want to mess anything up!!

THanks so much! I hope everyone is doing ok!

I get IVIG weekly and they always flush it with normal saline, both before and after. (I have a port now, but they did the same thing before the port) Have you had problems in the past? Is that why they are running it so slow? When I was on 10% solution of IVIG, the started at 50 and within and hour I was up to 200 with no problems. I know that everyone is different, but have you tried running it faster than 100? Maybe go up to 110 for a treatment, then if you have no problems, 120 for the next one, etc. until you reach a level where you are comfortable with no side affects.

Good luck with your choice!

Thanks!!! Yea, I have read that they can now flush it with NS, but I read a few places it can't run at the same time with NS (but I can't find anywhere as to why?? Does it deactivate it, make it clot or something? Humm).. They say flush and NS before and after is fine though.


Oh yes, I got really bad aseptic meningitis with my first treatment in the hospital (temp to 103.5.. horrid pain just to walk on the ground to the bathroom - as my spine was so irritated).. I have had Aseptic meningits about 4 or 5 times now.. We couldn't run it over 70 for the longest time - chest pain and neck and headache.. temp would spike within 15 min, it was crazy! So, we have slowly gotten up to 100, but I haven't tried going past that the past 1 year or more.. I am thinking maybe I will try inching it up the next treatment.. It's hard to be there for like 7 or 8 hours! So, they had thought maybe running it concurrently with the NS might help dilute it and I could run at a faster rate?

My gut reaction is that they're trying to save "their" time (and money), and not looking out for you.

It's the IVIG that causes the aseptic meningitis, although the mechanisms aren't clear. I rather doubt that having concurrent NS would be a good idea, nor would it probably help with any reaction from the IVIG!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296420/

A lot of medical mistakes are made trying to find that "perfect solution." If it's not broke, don't fix it! ;)

Annie

Annie- I Think you are right on there! I'm sure they hate that it takes sooo long for me to infuse! It's strange that sometimes my veins feel sore from IVIG, sometimes i get mild fever and Headache, and other times i sware I just got saline, i don't have any ill effects..

I get achy in my neck and chest immediately if the rate is too high.. sometimes even at 100.. I'm so thankful it works, so I dont' want to complain.. but it would be more convenient for it to not take so long :)