IVIG effects!!

I have just spent five days in the hosp having a daily treatment of IVIG. My fever ran 102, I had chills, all my red blood cell counts fell, as did my white and my potassium. No one there seemed to know what was going on, my doc was on vacation, I was sent home basically sick.

For clarification, I do not have itp but rather cidp. It seems, though that this board may have more knowledge regarding what is ok as pertains to ivig and what is not. I hope you do not mind. I am yet to see if this has really helped.

I was only treated with IVIG once, a three day treatment. I did get sick from it, fever, chills, flu like symptoms. My doc said she would probably not use it with me again for that reason.

My son was treated with IVIG two large treatments piggyback over a course of a 2-night hospital stay. His body handled it fairly well in the hospital. However, once he got home and woke up the next day, he was really sick with nausea all day. The IVIG didn't work that great with his body. He was at 4K going into the hospital (3 1/2 weeks ago) it raised his platelets to 38 after 2 weeks, now his platelets have crashed again to 6. Good luck to you! Hope your IVIG works in your body!
Todd's mom (18yr old son)
Last count 6K 7.28.11
~Michelle

Were you pre-treated with any drugs? I found that adjusting the amount of benedryl and dexamethasone (steriod) I was given prior to the IViG had a pretty large impact on the side effects I felt afterwards. Plus extra benedryl helps you sleep through getting the ivig!

I usually am given IVIG so know a little of how I am affected

I am never given pre treatment for it. My temp did go up a little last time and they did everything even a run down to xray at 8pm on sunday evening. The run down me in wheele chair being pushed by a fast walker gave me a nice breeze and that alone seem to sort it somehow.

But yes in the past I have had varying issues from minor temps to anemic enough to give me full blood transfusion on the last day - so they could regulate the platelet count still. One year they even gave me hormone treatment as was too anemic or something so gave that to stop the periods from starting. I was definately kind of lathergic that year. I took in Cold Comfort Farm to read and the nurses kept asking me about it. At the best of times I was a dry reader but when one is struggling for concentration to read a paragraph.... But anyone who saw it on my bed commented on that book. Later on I reread it and enjoyed it. But back to topic

I don't think had potassiumm difficulties though. Just minor temp rises and anemia issues which resolved when the treatment stopped basically. Am now on Rituximab which is plain sailing to me after IVIG but wary of infection risks it carries.

Hope to be of help and will try and help more if you want to know more. I am not given anything for IVIG at all. I can go about my time in hospital as per usual. Like I say the odd minor temp rises at first. Anemia sometimes. Thats been it. But there are as with any treatment varying side effects and all effect us in different ways. I was looked after very well but am a known patient too (16 years) I know the score which helps in return. But yes if its sore throats etc you be sent home anyway. They wouldn't keep you in for those type of symptoms unless very bad and proving to be something else too.