I had 16 months of IVIG for MG ranging from every month to every 2 weeks. My infusion rate was very slow. I'm sorry I don't remember the exact rate( It took 7-8 hours for 70g)
I had my first 2 inpatient a week before thymectomy and outpatient at an infusion center for maintenance. Was also taking mestinon.
Only had a moderate headache on the first infusion. After that, I took tylenol for a couple of days after each treatment.
It is so important to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate at least 3 days before, after and also during infusions. Was given Benadryl, Tylenol and Iv fluids before each treatment and fluids again at the end.
IVIG eventually became I ineffective for me and am now on tacrolimus, along with mestinon and maintenance plasmapheresis.
Good luck and let me know if I can answer any more questions.
If you have a Facebook page, there is an IVIG support site named "IVIG Patient Support Room".
-sherry

Hi realatina and all,
See also, the topic discussion:
''Support Group-Australia & New Zealand.''

Gwyn has given you a listing of IVIG treatment centers in NZ!
Thanks Gwyn!
- Ross

I have had a total of 12 IVIG treatments-4days in a row for 3 months. I felt better after the treatments-stronger and not so winded.
But I had chiills after each treatment, headaches, slight fever and not really a side effect but no venous access. Forgot the fatigue after the dose.
But it has been 3 months since the last treatment and am doing okay-

hope that it helps and welcome,deb

It worked for me like a miracle in a bottle... however this was my first MG crisis. had 5 consecutive days of infusions ... and everything began to function

I have had IVIG 5 times this year. Each time is a battle with the insurance company. That is the first step. The next is the schedule. It is set for every 3 weeks, considered optimal by my neuro. It is time consuming to sit for the several hours each time. At the end of the day, treatment complete, I endure a tremendous headache and absolutely horrible nausea for the remainder of the day. The nausea leads to vomiting and the headache leads to laying down. Basically, an entire day is used up.
It takes a few days for the help to be felt. The 5 days after treatment, the improvement grows and for about a week, it feels like I received some benefit. The next week is downhill and then, back for another.

With the tremendous negative effects of MG, it seems like, for now, it is worth the effort but the insurance company is requiring six months of Cell Cept in coordination so as to not need IVIG. During this time, the Cell Cept has made me additionally nauseous and it has killed my white blood cell count. My neuro wants me to stop and insurance wants me to keep going so I can continue with IVIG.
The struggles are such a mental challenge, when added to the health issues.

IVIG did not help me and the headaches were unbelievable! Plasmapheresis has helped me tremendously!

YES, I GOTTEN BLOOD CLOT IN MY LUNGS ( IVIG SIDE EFFECT ).

I do IVIG sub-q at home twice a wk on my own. So much more independent. I have been doing it for three years in April minimal side effects and my MG is very stable

I just went through 5 days of IVIG at the VA in Loma Linda Ca. Before I went in I was barely able to walk my wife literally had to pick me off the floor before I went in. After the treatment I was able function again but I'm also still taking my mestinon 3x to 4x a day. My neurologist also recommended that I should do an outpatient treatment every couple of months.