IVIG in Treating MS

Rena asked me about the use of IVIG in treating MS.  I don't have a lot to say about it, but thought I would post this because we all will occasionally hear about it.

IVIG stands for Intranvenous ImmunoGlobulin.  It is a concentrated solution of human antibodies and is derived from human blood.  It's use goes back decades and is used frequently in several immune-mediated diseases.  In pediatrics we used it to treat ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura - which is a severe reduction of the platelets after a viral infection) and Kawasaki's Disease, just to name a few.

In MS it is used in much the same way as IV steroids.  And, from what I have heard it is equally as effective as IV steroids.  It has a strong anti-inflammatory effect when the inflammation has an immune basis.  Some neurologists prefer it to IV Steroids or use it when the steroid have failed.  It cannot, I believe, take the place of a DMD.

You don't hear about it as often probably because it is incredibly expensive.  It also carries a higher chance for allergic reactions.  There is the theoretic chance of transmission of a viral infection, but, it is carefully made to eliminate that threat.

This is about all I know about it.  Has anyone here been treated with it?  If so, what did your neurologist tell you about it and what was your experience?

Quix

[Momzilla]

I haven't heard from her in a while, but Debra, "funmonkeytoes" used to use it, I believe, and was considering it again.  I think she thought it was a very good therapy.  She had little quality of life, and it seemed to me that either the IVIG helped, or gave her a lot of hope that it would...

Talk to us MonkeyToes!

Thanks for the info, Quix!

Zilla Twinkle Toes*

[Rena705]

Thanks so much for the information my dear!  I will pass it on to my friend and if she decides to try it I will let you know what she thinks!

Zilla...I did look for funmonkeytoes after you mentioned that she had either tried it or thought about trying it but I wasn't able to find her...maybe you will have better luck.

I am looking to talk to someone that has tried it so if anyone can get any info about it I would appreciate hearing what they think.

Thanks again Quix...once again you come through with flying colors!

Rena