Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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Long-Term Effectiveness of IVIG

geohab
geohab
I'm completing my fourth month of symptom free omg--no double vision or droopy eyelid--since my second round of IVIG treatments (four hours for each of three days back in mid-August). Am interested to know if anyone has had long-term successful results from IVIG--like six months or longer...
txkiki53
txkiki53
This excites me to hear how well you are doing as I am to start IVIG in Jan and the thought of no droopy eye and no double/blurry vision is almost too much........ lol amazing what we wish for! good luck to you
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've done IVIG and found it very effective for up to about 6-8 weeks, never longer. It's less invasive than PLEX, which I've done many times.

You don't mention the other drugs/treatments you are taking. Usually IVIG is used in addition to prednisone and/or immunosupressants.

Regardless, your symptom-free life is what counts. Good for you!!!

Curt
geohab
geohab
Hi, Curt...Thanks for the good wishes. In another posting, I mentioned that the IVIG enabled me to get off the only other med I was on--mestinon--which didn't really help alleviate the double vision, though it helped with the ptosis. I can't go on the meds you're taking because my neuro is concerned it would aggravate my diabetes and high blood pressure. I'm happy just with the IVIG...hope it continues to hold back the evil antibodies!
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm getting the ivig infusions every other week. I'm due for one tomorrow and have been having breathing difficulties since 2 days ago. They used to last longer, but now don't seem to be lasting as long. My neuro says that this can happen and that I may need plasmapheresis in the future. I cannot take steroids either but am on cellcept which doesn't seem to be helping. Best of luck to you!
cgreens
cgreens
After busting open my back of my head the other night from weakness and loss of balance, I am gonna do IVIG to get strength back. Glad to hear of its effectiveness. I am being treated with cellcept, but still early in its course which I am told I should see some signs of improvement after three months, with a minimum of six months. It is possible I will feel somethin gsooner, and it is too bad I cannot wait so that I can ell if the cellcept is helping. Nothing yet. Best wishes to all for peace.

TJ