Is Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG)

The Magic Potion To Combat Relapsing Polychondritis?

 

After five days of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG), I have to wonder if IVIG therapy is the magical medical treatment to place my Relapsing Polychondritis into remission.

Over the past five days, I have spent 28 hours sitting on my couch hooked up to an Intravenous Immunoglobin infusion.

I do not know the long-term results of my IVIG therapy, but I know my short-term results.

I am pleased to write the constant throbbing, stabbing pain that flares through my body have declined to a simmer. My continuous pain does have several names, Fibromyalgia, Cervical Dystonia, and Chronic Pain Syndrome.

The cartilage in my ears has turned from a red, pinkish tone to a color that matches the rest of my body.

Will my positive results from my Intravenous Immunoglobin Therapy continue? I do not know, but I hope so.

Day Five Of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG)

On day five of treatment, I did develop a piercing headache. There is a small percentage of people that are stricken with headaches from the IVIG treatment.

Overall, I find the time, energy and cost of Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy have been worth the trade-off. I am grateful that my health insurance covers my IVIG treatment. Without, my health insurance covering my IVIG therapy, IVIG treatment would not be obtainable for me.

My Neurologist and Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG)

I have an appointment with my Neurologist next week. At this appointment, I will find out her plan for my continued IVIG treatment.

My Neurologist became part of my medical team and she is trying to find answers to my neuropathy.

It is all speculative but I feel the inflammation from my Relapsing Polychondritis causes my neuropathy. 

I told my Neurologist about my theory and she replied, You are really thinking. Yes, I believe the Relapsing Polychondritis may trigger the neuropathy. 

I then went on to explain my theory and she patiently listened. 

My Theory On Relapsing Polychondritis And Neuropathy

I ramble my theory about Relapsing Polychondritis and neuropathy to my Neurologist. My theory goes like this; the intensity of my Relapsing Polychondritis flares has caused cartilage to suffocate some of my nerves. The suffocation of my nerves has caused neuropathy. 

I believe my theory is on point because of areas, where I have experienced long-term Relapsing Polychondritis flares now, have neuropathy. Furthermore, my pain management specialist has witnessed cartilage in my blood flow through his ultrasound machine.  The exact areas where I have intense neck pain the doctor has detected blood flow blockage. 

If I could rid my body of Relapsing Polychondritis then I feel my neuropathy, Cervical Dystonia and Fibromyalgia would decrease and perhaps disappear. A girl can dream.

For the time being, I think Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG) is the magic potion to combat Relapsing Polychondritis.

I hope this HypoGal Blog, Is Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy (IVIG) The Magic Potion To Combat Relapsing Polychondritis? has been insightful.

Click on the following link to read more about Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy.

I will continue to keep you updated on the outcome of my IVIG Therapy. 

You may also find theses weblinks insightful;

What Experts Say About Intravenous Immunoglobulin IVIG Treatment For Autoimmune Disease

Learning The NIH Does Not Have A Magic Pill To Treat Relapsing Polychondritis

 

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