[debbiehub]

Today I had an iron infusion and next week I am trying 4 days of IVIG 4 hrs a day. They put the IV in my hand because the best vain was there. My hand went into such a flare up and now my whole arm is bad. I am so dreading next week. I was crying by the end of the infusion! I think I would have tolerated it better if they did it inside elbow area...I was dx recently with small fiber nueropathy and I believe I also have RSD although many docs disagree.

Thanks for any suggestions

Debbie

[hannah1234]

Before I have an IV if I can... I put a lidocain patch on my arm for the 12 hours before so it numbs up my arm a little to help with the pain. it also helps if they use a small needle, and I always have them do it in my elbow area... or above my wrist but NEVER in my hand.. thats horribly painful... I am so sorry you are having so much pain from the iV ..Also, before they put an iv in, have them numb the site with an injection of lidocain. While you are home try to put a heatpack on it, that usually helps losen up everything and helps a little with the pain. Hang in there

[kathy d]

Hi Debbie,
Ouch. I hate iv's in my hand. They are sooo painful. I have used ice packs with cloths around them to hold onto the sites of the iv's or injections and I do it off and on and it seems to help alot (I do this even with dental work). The ice helps to reduce swelling. I believe heat would increase blood to the area and make your pain worse. But try whichever one works for you. I know when you have an injury for the first 24 hours or so you are supposed to put ice on it and then change to heat...at least that is what doctors have always told me to do. RSD is funny though...what people would normally do would probably hurt us more. Go figure?? Do what you feel helps you the most.

Let me know how you make out with the IVIG. I thought you had to be inpatient for that procedure? because they have to monitor you? That is to be my "next" thing to do to help control rsd but I've researched it and found out that after spending 5 days inpatient I would have just about the same outcome I have now with iv's of natural vitamins and minerals so I am staying with the natural stuff for now since it really seems to be working. Good luck to you next week and let me know how you make out. I have been told you will get bad headaches but they try to relieve them with steroids.
Best of luck,
kathy d

[debbiehub]

Thanks for your suggestions- No, ivig is done on an oupatient basis...I don't think insurance would pay for inpatient....I will let you know how it goes. I have a confirmed dx of small fiber neuropathy and that is why the insurance is covering it...I don't know if its covered with RSD dx..

Talk soon

Debbie

[gabbycakes]

Originally Posted by debbiehub

Thanks for your suggestions- No, ivig is done on an oupatient basis...I don't think insurance would pay for inpatient....I will let you know how it goes. I have a confirmed dx of small fiber neuropathy and that is why the insurance is covering it...I don't know if its covered with RSD dx..

Talk soon

Debbie

Debbie,

Sorry to here about the small fiber neuropathy, but in a way I think treating that disorder might be a little easier and covered better than RSD is.

When I did my ketamine boosters with Dr. S there where 1 or 2 stations for IVIG Patients and I was speaking with a woman that had SFN and she was having great success with the IVIG treatments. She told me her whole medical history in about 10mins and seemed to have been through alot also,but the IVIG Treatments was working great. Deb you have been through so much. I will say a pray that this helps.

Keep us posted.

Gabbycakes