Tips To Make IVIG Infusions A Little Easier

General
1

I get 200 mg over 4 days every month at home. I max out at a rate of 135. Each infusion takes just under 4 hrs. Here’s things I do after some trial and error:

  1. I hate the needle pricks so I keep the IV in all four days ( I wrap it with mesh tubing overnight).

  2. I alternate arm each month to allow veins to “recover”.

  3. I premed with tylenol & Benadryl

  4. When nausea hits I take zofran or sometimes diet dr pepper works.

  5. I save my netflix movies/series for infusion days.

  6. I take several breaks by walking around or going to different parts of my house or even sit outside to break it up.

  7. My worst side effects are nausea and tiredness .

Others?

2

Have a port put in. I recommend the Bard Power Port. My nurses used to stick me four or five times before they could get a needle to go in and stay in. I was fed up with it. Since my port was put in, I’ve no problems whatever. During infusions, I read, do email on my iPad, play with our two cats, chat with the nurse, get up and walk around now and then. My infusions take 3 hours and 35 minutes.