Guest guest Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 Hello Tom, I am hypogammaglobulinemic (immuno-suppressed / low serum Ig levels). I have had one IVIG infusion (for prophylaxis before dental surgery). It went really well. I had no side affects, and I drove straight back to work, afterwards. I've read other people's emails saying it's advised to be well-hydrated. My infusion took 3 hours. I was given several glasses of water to drink during it. I was not advised to take any special precautions. Kay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I get IVIG infusions monthly. I believe they are keeping me healthy. Carolyn Swift Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2011 Report Share Posted February 9, 2011 I had three IVIG infusions this spring. This boosted my immune levels back into the normal range, and the effect lasted for three months. I now have started monthly infusions again, because I, too, have a serious lung infection. I have no negative side effects at all. Good luck! Bente ________________________________ From: on behalf of golfintom Sent: Wed 2/9/2011 10:48 AM Subject: IVIG Infusion I'm scheduled to have an IVIG infusion this Friday. I continue to get respiratory infections and the hope is the infusion would boost my immune system. Has anyone else had an infusion. Were the side effects difficult? Did the procedure help? Thanks! Tom Diagnosed 5/2010; CLL Stage IV; completed 8 chemo treatments as of 11/30/10 ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 I receive monthly infusions and they last about a month. They are not bringing my levels up to where they should be but help me stay healthy so when I do catch something it doesnt take that bad of a toll on me. IVIG Infusion I'm scheduled to have an IVIG infusion this Friday. I continue to get respiratory infections and the hope is the infusion would boost my immune system. Has anyone else had an infusion. Were the side effects difficult? Did the procedure help? Thanks! Tom Diagnosed 5/2010; CLL Stage IV; completed 8 chemo treatments as of 11/30/10 ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2011 Report Share Posted February 10, 2011 I initially received monthly IVIG infusions because of constant infections and low Ig levels beginning in 2002. I have now graduated to every other month. It has made a huge difference in my overall health. Being hydrated (begin the night before) makes it easier for nurses to find a vein on the first try. I've never been told to push fluids more than staying well hydrated, but I suppose with any infusion it's a good idea to flush things through the system. I get 1 tylenol and 1 benedryl tablet before infusions if I want them. I often don't take either. Occasionally I get a slight headache during the infusion and take the tylenol then. Other than that my only reaction is that sometimes I feel a little less than 100% the next day, but the effect is very minor. My infusion time varies from 3 - 6 hours depending on the how the IVIG is mixed. I did have two reactions (in 8 years) and changed brands. Often if one reacts to a particular brand switching brands takes care of the problem. I actually look forward to my infusion days, as I can get a lot of uninturrupted computer time or reading time while sitting in the chair. Pat On 2/10/11, JAMKL4@... <JAMKL4@...> wrote: > I receive monthly infusions and they last about a month. They are not > bringing my levels up to where they should be but help me stay healthy so > when I do catch something it doesnt take that bad of a toll on me. > > > > > > IVIG Infusion > > I'm scheduled to have an IVIG infusion this Friday. I continue to get > respiratory infections and the hope is the infusion would boost my immune > system. Has anyone else had an infusion. Were the side effects difficult? > Did the procedure help? > > Thanks! > Tom > Diagnosed 5/2010; CLL Stage IV; completed 8 chemo treatments as of 11/30/10 > > ------------------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 No side effects, just takes forever to get. Can help. In a message dated 2/9/2011 12:51:32 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, golfintom@... writes: I'm scheduled to have an IVIG infusion this Friday. I continue to get respiratory infections and the hope is the infusion would boost my immune system. Has anyone else had an infusion. Were the side effects difficult? Did the procedure help? Thanks! Tom Diagnosed 5/2010; CLL Stage IV; completed 8 chemo treatments as of 11/30/10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 IVIG can have a number of side effects ... Here is a typical label with black-box warnings... Source: http://www.baxter.com/products/biopharmaceuticals/downloads/gamliquid_PI.pdf?WT.\ svl=BiosciencePIs & site=www.immunedisease.com ~chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 Tom, I have had scores of IVig injections for my ITP. Although is correct in pointing out the very real possible risks, I and most patients do well. Since diagnosis and pre and post transplant, I have also traveled extensively (China, Japan, NZ, Oz, Europe) and feel my near zero infection rate is due to three factors: luck, avoiding chemo, (esp. F) and mainly the IVig. My only problem was that I did react with a rash to one brand of IVig and needed to change brands. I also get sleepy after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2011 Report Share Posted February 13, 2011 's note reminded me that I have been getting allergic reactions to IVIG. They are giving it to me more slowly in hopes that will help. Thus far, it has not. I don't know if they have tried a different brand; I will raise the issue next month. Carolyn Swift Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Carolyn and all I have only reacted to IVIG twice since 2002. The reactions were minor and switching brands solved the problem. Pat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.