post IVIG question

Hi Rhonda,
I think you should see a doctor. The elevated blood pressure and nose bleeds are worrisome. It is better to be safe than sorry. You don’t want to have a stroke and a sudden jump in your BP is indicative of some problem. However, is your home BP set up reliable? Can you go to a drug store with BP measuring cuff and compare readings? I see you are in Fraser Lake so your resources are probably pretty limited–and more so with the weekend. Just for future reference, hubby has been taking Naproxen for his headaches–takes two before infusion and one three times a day during infusion and he has ceased having headaches. He tried Tylenol and Ibuprofen and they didn’t work at all and the Naproxen has been like a miracle for him. Let us know how things go with the BP etc.
Laurel

160/105 is pretty high, so I agree that if it is staying that high, you should be seen about it especially with the headaches and the nosebleeds, both of which are signs of high blood pressure. Are you urinating okay? IV IgG can bother kidneys and this can lead to high blood pressure. IV IgG is a protein load and salt load (since it is in normal saline) and so I think it is not terribly uncommon for the blood pressure to rise when getting it, but it should not remain high two days after. Pain (as from headaches) and worry may increase blood pressure as well, so try taking some pain medicine. If you are urinating okay, keep drinking water/fluids and try to avoid salts and recheck the BP.
WithHope for cure of these diseases

Rhonda,
My blood pressure is normally 100/60 but during infusions and for a week afterwards it goes up to ~130/90 sometimes a little lower, sometimes a little higher. I’ve gotten nose bleeds as well. And I definately think you should bring it up to your doctor as soon as possible – for me the raise in blood pressure brings it up but not so high as to be concerned – for you, that’s WAY too high and not only are you risking a stroke but also organ damage from the high pressure.

One thing I realized I was doing was drinking Gatorade during infusions… two years and it finally occured to me that I really don’t need the extra salt and sugar during that time. Since I’ve quit drinking it my blood pressure is a little lower but the best part is I’m not nearly as puffy as I have been.

Have a Happy Day,

Julie

Hi Rhonda, I tried the ivig over 2 days and my headache and BP were worse, are you prememeding with anything? I found out that last few months they couldn’t get my usual ivig and switched me to Octogam–overtime my BP would be high, premeded with Motrin, ended up with rebound headaches from the Motrin, nausea, vomiting, back and abdominal pain,etc. and my neuro agreed with me that I was reacting to the Octogam and switched me this week to Gammagard and back to 4 days instead of 2. Day # 2 yesterday was stressful for both my nurse and me, but my BP has not gone so high. Still got a headache but not any other symptoms. When I woke up this am, my HA is gone. Some of us just react so differently, but I agree with the others that you need to keep a close eye on it. Take care. Emma

Hi Rhonda, Just finished my 4 days of ivig-first two days more headache so took double the premeds as my nurse instructed and she slowed the rate down-slower rate=0 headache on Sat and slight headache yesterday and much better BP-would usually be 110-120/60-70 and went up 140’s/80; she had me take one motrin midway through the ivig and this new method seemed to really help. Do you premed? And how fast are you getting the ivig? Emma

Hi Rhonda: I’ve had those “bad headaches” some times with the ivig.. This last time (last round) of ivig I went without any premeds, and everything went fine with me… For me, I’m wondering if I was having a reaction more to the benedryl/tylenol than the infusion itself.. As far as blood pressure haven’t had any problems so far with higher or lower bp.. deanop

Rhonda, That BP thing is almost a vicious circle for me-does high BP cause headache or does headache cause high BP—-both answers are right. But it is REALLY important to drink lots of water before, during, and after the ivig-I am so very guilty of being a coffee lover and that dehydrates worse so I am trying really hard to drink gobs of water-during my ivig my BP goes up the minute I get the headache-keep insisting the rate be slowed, because that’s when my headache starts. If the nurse won’t listen, have your doctor order a specific rate to keep both the headache and the high BP under control-then I think if your BP remains high, figure out an additional plan with your doctor. Hope this helps. Emma

Usually the docs prescription has the rates on it, Kevin’s doc writes not to exceed 39. We also pre- med two days post.

This was the first time EVER that Kevin had only a small headache.
Dawn Kevies mom