My First IVIG Treatment

So...I had my first half-treatment today! They had hoped to get through 24g in 2.5 hrs, but that just wasn't doable. I got lower back pains as soon as they took me up to a flow rate of 100 cc's/hr, then they treated me with an additional 25mg (50mg total) Benadryl and 100mg Hydrocortisone. then they restarted everything and were able to get me up to a flow rate of 200 cc's/hr, but then I started having breathing problems. They stopped it again, called my doctor, and had me take my inhaler. Then they restarted it at a flow rate of 50 cc's/hr and left it there. All in all I was only able to get through 1 12g bottle, so I have to go back tomorrow morning to finish up. They said they're going to keep me on a slower flow rate, and not try to get me up to 200. I expect it might be along day tomorrow. Overall though, it wasn't too bad. They brought me warm blankets, and everyone was really nice.

I took the advice of everyone from my support group and took lots of vitamins, drank a lot of fluids, and brought snacks. I did get really really hungry and was very dopey from all the benadryl. It was helpful having someone with me to take care of the little things and to steady me when I walked to the bathroom. 

I return at 9:00 tomorrow to finish off the batch. The doctor says that I should be ok to be around crowds w/out a mask after the treatment is over...not sure whether I should go with that or not...

2nd Day of First IVIG treatment

Thursday, February 11, 2010 

I went back to finish the 2nd bottle of IVIG today, and it went much more smoothly than yesterday. Like yesterday I took 600mg of Ibuprofen an hour in advance, and called my Doctor to find out whether she would agree with me taking some prednisone also. She was out of the office, so I left a message for the other doctor, who didn't return my call until 7:00 PM....my appointment started at 9:00 AM! The good news is that I made it through the treatment without a hitch, and they got me up to a drip speed of 175! At that rate it will probably still take me longer than they had hoped for the treatment, but I'd rather get through it than have problems again.  

I pretty much slept through the treatment today, and for 3 hours afterwards too. I realized that yesterday the reason I wasn't able to sleep during the treatment or even all last night is that I took a full dose of my Alive multivitamin. It's so potent and gives me so much energy that if I take a full dose I can't sleep. I thought for sure the Benadryl would counteract that effect, but even the 50mg wasn't strong enough! That's a really good vitamin! 

When the other doctor finally called, he agreed that the prednisone is a good idea, and he said he'd tell my own doctor about our conversation. I was a little annoyed that he took so long to return my call, especially since I'd expressed that I needed to know before my treatment. On the bright side though, I was able to get through without it! I'm a little worried right now because I'm having some breathing problems, and I'm wondering whether they're related to the treatment, or whether I'm reacting to the sandwich I just ate. The treatment was over by noon today, so it seems a little far removed from the time, plus when my breathing improved yesterday, it stayed improved. I'll take my inhaler and see if that helps, and if I continue to have problems I'll go ahead and take a little prednisone. I don't really want to call the doctor back right now, I just wish I'd thought to mention it to him when I had him on the phone...it was just starting to trouble me then.

Here's a link to a good deal on generic Benadryl: