My pulmonologist told me about that exact same study. Apparently that is either the only or one of the only studies done yet. I'm kinda skeptical just bc thats such a small study. I did some reading up on it on forums & got the impression that it can be helpful during the beginning of RSD & can reduce pain a few points, but not a miracle & doesnt work once you have had RSD long. I hope I am wrong & that it works. I posted about this too, maybe you can find others responses on there. Hope it works for you.

How long are the infusions? Are they done in-patient or out? Can I ask about the measure of pain relief and how soon you achieve it? Also, is there a list of doctors/hospitals using it? I have always read good things but don't know a tremendous amount about it.

Liz

Hi Liz,
I don't know a lot about how it is done since I haven't had the consultation with the Neurologist yet who my pain doc referred me to. I do know that it is done by Neurologists and Rheumatologists. My Rheumatologist suggested it as well since he does it for a lot of his patients with autoimmune diseases. I think the biggest factor is that while it is done frequently for people with autoimmune diseases, we are not classified under that so FDA does not approve IVIG for CRPS which means if you were to find a doctor to do it for you, you would probably have to pay out of pocket. Hope that helps a little.

In my experience, which involves living with whole body CRPS for 34 years, IVIg does work. It took 8 months of 20grams Prigoven infused every 3 weeks.

The thing about study size is that only big pharmaceutical studies have the cash, or else government funding (which they then turn a profit on), to run big studies. Pharmaceutical companies are not able to patent IvIg. These companies make money by selling patented substances. And, they are not going to bother studying anything that could displace the drugs they make and patent.

So far, healing from an autoimmune disease like CRPS or CRPS or MS or Lupus, etc. has not occurred via symptom managing (pain killing) with drugs and immune modulation (really immune system killing) drugs.

IvIg has done the most for me. Iv glutathione and lipoic acid helped too. I don't bother with lipoic anymore. I get glutathione weekly and IvIg every 3 weeks.

Wishing you good healing. ambika

Dear One,

It works!

IvIg, Privogen brand only, at 20grams every 21 days, cured the severe RSD/CRPS I lived with for over 30 years. I am medication free, pain free, and without the constant involuntary muscle twitching and cramping.

I also receive Iv Glutathione, because testing showed that I was not producing any. It helps a lot, but the IvIg is what took the disease away.

It is important to have a good brand of IvIg - one made without sucrose. My doctor has used Privogen for many years without any trouble for any patients.

It is also important to be tested for IgG and subclasses, as well as IgA. The IgA levels are important, because people with low IgA levels are unable to tolerate IvIg treatment.

I wish you success in healing!!!!