Reply To: Insurance Coverage

Jane12,

The symptoms you experienced from IVIg are not uncommon. Most people get a headache. Many people have some sort of allergic reaction. A slower infusion rate and Benadryl and Tylenol (or their equivalents) helps to moderate the symptoms. If nausea is severe, Zofran could be prescribed.

Find out what the fastest rate you had during your last infusion. If you get IVIg again, insist that they do not infuse you at more than 2/3 the fastest rate. See if your symptoms improve. If they do, then you can try a somewhat higher rate. If not, then try a slower rate. There is a practical limit to how slow the infusion can be; the nurses have to go home eventually. If a very slow rate still leaves you with symptoms, you will have to decide if their negatives outweigh the benefits.

~MarkEns