Hi KookieCat,

Welcome! i was on Gammard for 1 yr. and had awful side effects, I switched to Hizentra 10 months ago and doing much better with minimal side effects. I personally am very happy on Hizentra.

Light and Love,

Denise

Thank you so much. I'm going to discuss it with my doctor today.

There are minor differences in all of our IG choices; some have additives/preservatives/proline (Hizentra), some have higher IGA, some have higher sodium, etc. Infusion speed is usually the culprit of side effects. Also, premedicating can often help. Switching products is usually a last resort because it can increase the chance of side effects

Here is a list of all of the IG products available to us IVIG & Subq

http://primaryimmune.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IDF-IVIG-Chart_rv-7-14.pdf

Thank you so much for the link. I've tried lowering the infusion rate to no avail. I'm going to try Hizentra.

I use Hizentra and started out with 12 grams per week (3 bottles per infustion) and had nausea for the first few infusions. Then I began taking a benadryl tablet just before infusing along with a snack and that knocked out any nausea.

I've been infusing since December and they upped my dose to 16 grams (4 bottles) per week beginning in June and now have no nausea and do not take benadryl. I do eat a snack though while I'm infusing, Of course I'm watching TV so I would eat a snack anyway :-)

I think I have tolerated Hizentra well. For the first couple of months the infusion site would be really red and itchy for about three days. Now it does nothing.

Take care,

Dennis

DeniseHB, what side effects did you have with Gammagard
.

How long do your infusions take once you start the pump and what is your dose?

My side effects from Gammagard were really bad leg cramps and muscle spasms in my back that would last 3-5 days. I broke my back in 10/05 and Gammagard seemed to just attack my back. I would be up all night lying on a foam roll in tears from the pain.

I gave it a year to adjust and was on the slowest flow rate and heavy premed. The only options were to split my dosage and have 2 treatments per week or try another brand.

I have vertigo, so I am always a bit nauseas.

If I do not premed with Hizentra, I found that I have side effects w/ Hizentra, recently I was chilled to the bone the day after my treatment when everyone around me was hot. You just need to find what works for you. Hizentra is concentrated and thicker so your flow rate # will be much different. My flow rate is 600 and I use 3- 9mm needles with 10grms of Hizentra.

I guess we all have such different side effects.

I just received 7 grams of hizentra. They sent me two different flow size tubing:275 and 600. One will take 1 hour and the other two. I don't get nauseated will infusing only afterwards for the whole week.

For those interested. I'm so happy I switched to Hizentra and all my nausea went away almost immediately. I'm doing a slow infusion and am wondering if I should try the faster tubing.

Give your system time to adjust. I've been on Hizentra for almost one year and have chosen to stay at 600. One hour longer to me is no big deal, I'm relaxing away.

Thanks

Hey KookieCat, I'm so glad to hear that the nausea is gone on the Hizentra! I know this has to be such a relief for you. I hope things continue to go well.
Hugs,
Ashlee