What to Expect from IVIG Therapy for Vasculitis

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy is a common treatment used at Jean Walter Infusions for a variety of immune deficiencies and autoimmune disorders, including vasculitis. This treatment involves several crucial steps:

Consultation and Assessment:

Our specialized team of healthcare professionals will conduct a thorough evaluation to ascertain if IVIG therapy is the best course of action for your condition. This first step includes a comprehensive medical history, a physical examination, and diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis of vasculitis and assess your overall health status.

Prescription and Preparation:

If our team determines that IVIG therapy is the most suitable treatment for you, our doctors will explain the procedure, discuss potential risks and benefits, and provide a prescription for the specific dose and frequency of administration. You will be asked to sign a consent form indicating your understanding of the therapy and agreement to proceed.

Monitoring and Observation:

Our team will monitor you throughout the procedure, consistently checking for any adverse reactions. Your vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are checked regularly.

Follow-Up Care:

Post-therapy, our team will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your response to the treatment. The frequency and duration of these appointments will depend on your specific condition and how well you’re responding to the therapy. Regular laboratory tests may also be performed to evaluate the response to treatment and identify any complications.

At Jean Walter Infusions, we are committed to ensuring that our patients are fully prepared to begin their IVIG (Intravenous Immunoglobulin) therapy for vasculitis. We have a specialized process that is designed to ensure that your treatment is safe, effective and has minimal negative impact on your overall health.

Pre-Infusion Assessment:

• Medical History Review: Our team of experts will conduct a meticulous evaluation of your medical history. This includes blood tests, urine tests and, if necessary, imaging studies.
• Physical Examination: We carry out an in-depth review of your medical history and a comprehensive physical examination.
• Laboratory Tests: We conduct blood tests to assess liver function, kidney function, and coagulation status.

Precautions:

• Infection Prevention: We take all necessary precautions to minimize infection risks, including administering prophylactic antibiotics if indicated.
• Allergy Testing: If you have a history of allergies, we may perform skin testing or blood tests to assess for potential allergic reactions to IVIG.
• Hydration: We advise you to be well-hydrated before you start treatment. Staying hydrated can help make the IV insertion process easier and aids in flushing the medication through your system after the therapy.

Our team is dedicated to ensuring that you are fully prepared for your IVIG treatment. We ask that you share any information about medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, or vitamins, as these can interact with IVIG. For women, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, it is important to communicate this to us as IVIG therapy can pose potential risks to an unborn baby or a nursing infant.

Diet and nutrition can also play a role in your preparation. Having a balanced diet can help boost your immune system and assist your body in responding better to the treatment.

Finally, we advise you to make sure you have arrangements for transportation to and from our treatment center, particularly for your first few sessions, until you know how the treatment affects you. Some people experience fatigue or other side effects that might make driving home difficult.

The dosage of IVIG is determined based on various factors, including the patient’s weight, severity of the condition, and overall health status. We take into account kidney function and other existing medical conditions, as IVIG is a blood product and requires careful administration.

We consider the specific type of vasculitis our patients are dealing with, such as Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), Wegener’s granulomatosis, or Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA), as this can influence the dosage. We also take into account the patient’s previous response to treatments. If a patient has not adequately responded to steroids or other immunosuppressive drugs, we may consider a higher dose of IVIG.

We use different types of IVIG preparations, and the type and composition can influence the recommended dose. Our healthcare providers follow specific treatment protocols that provide guidelines for IVIG dosage in vasculitis patients.

Our team conducts regular monitoring of the patient’s condition, including clinical assessments and laboratory tests, to guide dose adjustments and ensure the patient is receiving an appropriate dose for their individual needs.

We want to emphasize that IVIG therapy should always be administered under the supervision of our medical professionals. We closely monitor our patients for side effects and adjust the dosage as necessary. The optimal dose of IVIG for vasculitis patients can vary depending on individual circumstances, and we work closely with our patients to determine the appropriate dose and treatment plan.

Adherence to the IVIG infusion schedule is crucial for managing vasculitis effectively. Missing an IVIG infusion can lead to a resurgence of symptoms like fever, fatigue, weight loss, muscle and joint pain, or night sweats. More severe consequences could include nerve damage, kidney failure, heart problems, and increased inflammation in blood vessels. Missing an IVIG infusion could also disrupt your treatment schedule, potentially affecting the steady level of antibodies in your bloodstream.

Our team is committed to ensuring that you never miss an IVIG infusion. We’ll work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and helps manage your condition effectively. If you do miss an IVIG infusion, we urge you to inform our healthcare professionals immediately so we can advise on the best course of action, possibly rescheduling the missed dose or adjusting your treatment plan.

We also provide practical strategies to help you remember your infusion schedule. These include marking your calendar with the dates and times of your infusions, setting reminders on your phone or computer, and arranging for your infusions if you are traveling.

At Jean Walter Infusions, we understand that each patient responds differently to treatment. We are here to ensure that you receive the necessary care and attention to manage your condition effectively and improve your quality of life. For more information, contact us or request an appointment online. We serve patients from Rosedale MD, Baltimore MD, Columbia MD, Glen Burnie MD, Catonsville MD, North Baltimore MD, Edgewater MD, Parkville MD, Middle River MD, Dundalk MD, Halethrope MD, Ellicott City MD, Laurel MD, Hebbville MD, and Woodlawn MD.