Reply To: Starting Plasmapheresis on Monday. Have questions

I have been on and off plasma exchanges since 1996. The only problem I have had was a drop in blood pressure and fainting during the very first exchange. I have had needles in the arm, perma-caths, and currently vortex ports implanted in my upper chest. IVIG was not effective for me and plasma exchanges have kept me active. I also get an infusion of 1000 mg of metholpredisone at the end of each exchange. My exchanges are done by the Red Cross and they use a blood warmer for the return line which keeps the body temp up. You may want to ask about that. Some times I am tired for a day or so after the exchanges, but that is infrequent. Hope the PE helps you.