Does anyone have experience with intravenous immunoglobulin therapy?

[Anonymous]

Been dx with autoimmune disease and doc is starting treatment with this. Been reading articles,but would really like to hear some actual experiences. Did it work? Any side effects? Where you able to continue life as normal? Any long term effects? TIA!

[Anonymous]

I had a 5-day course of immunoglobulin via IV for Guillain Barre Syndrome, and it was like a magic potion. It gave me my strength back, and I never thought that would happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a 5-day course of immunoglobulin via IV for Guillain Barre Syndrome, and it was like a magic potion. It gave me my strength back, and I never thought that would happen.

Mine is for CIDP and will be inpatient for 5 days. So nothing to be worried about?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a 5-day course of immunoglobulin via IV for Guillain Barre Syndrome, and it was like a magic potion. It gave me my strength back, and I never thought that would happen.

Mine is for CIDP and will be inpatient for 5 days. So nothing to be worried about?

I was inpatient, too. I can only speak from my experience, but it was a real lifesaver (or rather, a quality of lifesaver) for me.

[Anonymous]

Meant to add, good luck.

[Anonymous]

Not to be a fly on the ointment as IGG can bring really enormous relief, but there is a possibility of getting spinal meningitis. it's viral, not bacterial, so not the really serious kind. Scary enough, though. It's pretty uncommon, but my DD got it from IGG. Resting adequately and hydrating a lot are important to avoid adverse side effects.

[Anonymous]

DS has had two rounds of IVIG. He had major improvements after both, however, the experience sucked. Both times, about two days after treatment, he suffered from a severe headache and constant vomiting for about 24 hours. It was awful, but worth it.

[Anonymous]

Nephew had to have IVGG for kawasaki. It was life-saving and I'm grateful this sort of therapy exists! He had no side effects.

[Anonymous]

I had IVIG every three to four weeks for almost four years. The infusion itself took about four hours but then I had flu-like symptoms for the next twenty four hours or so. Sometimes I had a fever but usually it was just terrible body aches. However, the relief I had for the next three or four weeks was totally worth it. I could always feel when it was time for my next round. My condition eventually went into "remission" and I haven't needed any igg now for almost 18 months.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks everyone, just wondering if there is any down time during recovery or will I be able to continue my life as normal. I will be getting out of the hospital on Monday, should I be able to go back to work on Tuesday and drive to NYC on Christmas Eve?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks everyone, just wondering if there is any down time during recovery or will I be able to continue my life as normal. I will be getting out of the hospital on Monday, should I be able to go back to work on Tuesday and drive to NYC on Christmas Eve?

Individual reactions will vary. Can you be flexible about going back to work on Tuesday? Also, is the train a possible back up to driving to NYC? You could be perfectly fine and your plans could work like clockwork, but don't be disappointed if you are not feeling quite up to par. Over a longer term you should feel much better.