Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy Specialist in Maryland

IVIG therapy strengthens the immune system and treats various conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, immunological deficiencies, and neurological illnesses. At Jean Walter Infusion, our experienced team, led by Dr. Nasser Nasseri, MD, provides individualized IVIG therapy to help you maintain your immune health. Schedule an appointment online or contact us to learn more about this effective treatment option. We have convenient locations to serve you in Edgewater, Rosedale, Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, North Baltimore, and Catonsville, MD.

IVIG Therapy Specialist Near Me in Edgewater, Rosedale, Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie, North Baltimore, and Catonsville MD.

IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) therapy is a type of treatment that involves the administration of IVIG liquids to a patient who is suffering from a weakened or compromised immune system. This treatment option uses blood plasma that has been donated from healthy patients and is then administered to the immune-compromised patient to help manage their symptoms and help their immune system fight against infections.

What is IVIG therapy used for?

The primary goal of IVIG therapy is to support a compromised immune system, particularly for those who have diseases or health conditions that weaken their immune system and help them fight off infections. The therapy works by helping supply the body with increased numbers of antibodies, which are normally produced in those with a healthy immune system and are necessary in helping the body fight infections and germs. By improving the antibody levels in the body, IVIG therapy helps to reduce the risk of the patient contracting serious infections, reducing the frequency at which they suffer from infections or diseases, and allowing them to more safely and comfortably exist in their day-to-day lives. IVIG therapy can be used in place of medication or alongside other prescribed medications to support an ongoing treatment plan. This treatment is not only effective in supporting a stronger immune system but is also often recommended for patients with autoimmune disorders to reduce associated symptoms.

What autoimmune diseases are treated with IVIG?

IVIG is used to treat and manage a range of diseases, specifically autoimmune diseases, either as a first-line therapy treatment or alongside a treatment plan. Some autoimmune diseases that are commonly treated using IVIG include:

• Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS)
• Kawasaki’s disease
• Idiopathic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP)
• System lupus erythematosus (LE)
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Myasthenia gravis (MG)

IVIG therapy is an effective method of treatment and symptom management that comes with many benefits for a range of autoimmune diseases, including providing fast-acting and long-lasting relief of symptoms and being well-tolerated by most patients while providing few serious side effects.

How long does it take for IVIG to work for autoimmune disease?

Most patients who are receiving IVIG for an autoimmune disease will be able to notice significant improvements in their symptoms and the noticeable efficacy of the therapies within a few weeks. However, patients should expect this timeline to vary a bit from patient to patient depending on their particular condition or disease, as well as how their body responds to the treatment. There are some diseases in which only one treatment will be necessary to provide benefits, such as Kawasaki’s disease, but most other conditions will need regularly scheduled treatments, often occurring 1 to 5 times monthly. Patients who respond very well to IVIG therapy will notice the provided benefits within several weeks and may be able to enjoy the benefits for a few months before a maintenance treatment is recommended. In some cases, patients will be able to start to experience a lessening of their symptoms within a few days following treatment.

For several weeks following the administration of IVIG, the supervising physician will closely monitor the progress of the patient to determine whether this method of treatment will be beneficial for their condition and may need to adjust the treatment plan to ensure that the patient can find a treatment plan that is more effective and beneficial for them. This treatment also comes with some associated potential risks and side effects, so close monitoring from a physician is highly recommended to ensure that these risks are minimized as much as possible.

How do you know if IVIG is working?

Patients will be able to determine that their IVIG treatments are taking effect if they start to notice a substantial improvement in their symptoms. This reduction of symptoms will look different from patient to patient depending on what their particular symptoms have been, with those who are receiving IVIG as a treatment for GBS or MG often experiencing lessened weakness of their muscles. Other symptoms of common autoimmune diseases that are effectively reduced through IVIG therapy include inflammation surrounding the nerves, and it is effective in providing increased strength and coordination to the muscles, reduced pain, increased energy levels, and a decreased frequency of infections.

Embark on a healing journey with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy at Jean Walter Infusion. Our dedicated team, led by Dr. Nasser Nasseri, MD, is committed to providing personalized and effective treatments to support your immune health. Discover the transformative benefits of IVIG therapy by scheduling an appointment online or by contacting us for more information. We have convenient locations to serve you in Maryland. We serve patients from Catonsville MD, Rosedale MD, Baltimore MD, Columbia MD, Glen Burnie MD, Edgewater MD, North Baltimore MD, Parkville MD, Middle River MD, Dundalk MD, Halethrope MD, Ellicott City MD, Laurel MD, Hebbville MD, and Woodlawn MD.