How does IVIG work?

Just curious as to how IVIG works? By that I mean do the numbers shoot up right away and then gradually drop over the next weeks or do they go up gradually over several days before they eventually drop again? And long does it normally last?

Thanks!
Helga

It all depends on how someone responds. Everyone is different. Typically, counts will go up in a day or two and gradually fall over one to three weeks. For some, it can last longer or shorter, and some people get no response at all.

IVIG can be a good rescue treatment, but is not a good way to manage ITP.

Thank you Sandi! I'm just curious because I had IVIG for the first time before my splenectomy 2 weeks ago (my counts were at 0) and I'm just mulling over it while I'm waiting for my next blood test!

Well good luck and let us know! When is your count?

Thanks again for your reply!
Next week, I'll probably go in on monday.

5 days before the surgery my counts were 0, so I had 2x IVIG and on the morning of operation they were at 170 and then they continued to rise for several days afterwards until they were in their 700s and they were still there a a week after the surgery. So I'm optimistic there might be something more going on than just the IVIG, but at the same time I don't have any experience with IVIG, so.. A lot of thoughts!

I really hope this works for me, the months since diagnosis (august 14) have been really tough. I responded well to high doses of both pred & dex, but it was just free fall to rock bottom as soon as the tapering started (TONS of side effects though..) so I've spent most of the time under 8, mostly under 4.. Hope I'll never see single digits again!!

Good luck! Very high counts after splenectomy is a good sign!

Thanks Sandi!

Yes, both me and my surgeon found this to be a very good sign, but my hema didn't want to pop the champagne bottle open quite yet! I think she wanted to wait for the IVIG effect to wear off, which is why I was wondering how long it lasts etc.

It would be wonderful if this brought me into remission. I guess next blood test (3 weeks after) will give a better indication of IVIG vs surgery. I think my counts are still good; I have no petechiae or bruises and far less muscle and joint pain than "normally"