Plasmapheresis catheter and IVIg

When I first got sick & was dx with GBS in April of 2002 I was given 5 plasma pheresis via insertion of a catheter in the groin area? I remember I could not sit up at all for a week. Then I continued to deteriorate & I was given IVIG & steroids via IVs in my arms; soon I ran out of veins & they put a PICC line in my arm, which lasted from June 2002-November 2002.

When they wanted to try PP again, I had surgery & had an ash split catheter inserted into my chest with two pigtails coming out of my right breast. I was then given 3 months of PP, IVIG & then steroids every Friday, using the catheter for all 3. This treatment did nothing for me. It was then decided I needed cytoxan infusions, & I was given 9 months of chemo & weekly solumedrol via this same catheter. I would have this in for 15 months, until I was off of all treatments. Why can’t they use your central line for IVIG?
Pam

I don’t really understand why they won’t use the central line for IVIG. My daughter has a Broviac catheder in her chest that she gets IVIG twice weekly in.

Maybe you can’t use the same central line for plasmapheresis then IVIG for some reason. I’d talk with your doctor about this. The reason people get the catheders in the first place is so they don’t have to get continual IV’s placed.

Good luck!

In 2004 I began PP for my CIDP. Initially I had to have a catheter placed in my juggler vein each time I had a two week series. Then in Feb. of 2005, I began a maintenance treatment and to have the tunneled catheter put in my chest. Although it seemd that the PP slowed down the advancement of symptoms, I did not get any better. In July of 2005, I asked to be put on Rituxan and supposed that they would use the chest catheter. I, too, was told that it could not be used and received the Rituxan treatment through arm vein infusions. However, I wasn’t told the reasons. Perhaps it’s because the PP requires two ports???
Peace,
Pat

For IVIG I had an infusion port placed beneath the skin on my left chest. Worked really well with little or no risk of infection. When I had to quit IVIG I had an “Ash split catheter” in my right side jugular. Worked well for PP but it was the point of invasion for a staph infection which in less than 72 hours so fired up my cidp that I was in the ICU on a ventelator in critical condition. Now after 8 weeks in the hospital this hiking climbing guy of 2 months ago is home and riding in a wheel chair. For PP the folk here recommend a fistula which gives good access and little chance of infection.

If you are going PP have a surgeon build you a fistula. Use a quenten (sp?) catheter which is pulled after each set of PP until the fistula matures.

in many states a pheresis/dialysis catheter can only be accessed by a dialysis nurse, unless it is an emergency and is the only access. this may be why it’s not being used for IVIG

MarkEns re: adhesive allergies…

My daugher is allergic to the clear plastic bandages as well, they are called Tegaderms. We found that she can use a bandage called Primpora. They are supposed to be the best for sensitive skin. We also put a skin protectant on before using the bandages or any tape. We have to use paper tape as well because of the skin reactions.

After about 2 weeks with a catheter you don’t really have to keep in bandaged. Just tape the line down so it kind of circles around the site & clean it daily. That’s what we do anyways & so far, so good!

Kelly