IVIG approval resources: Difference between revisions

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(Created page with "== Scientific papers discussing IVIG treatment of conditions commonly found in long haulers == * ''How We Treat '''Autoimmune Small Fiber Polyneuropathy''' with Immunoglobulin Therapy'' - https://doi.org/10.1159/000498858 <blockquote> Our experience with the use of IVIg in patients with autoimmune autonomic neuropathy matches that which has been reported by Oaklander and Flanagan with a response rate of approximately 75–80%. Many patients improve by 80–90% of their...")
 
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Because IVIG treatment is costly, patients and doctors generally need to build a case that the treatment is warranted.  One path is to look for evidence of autoimmunity through auto-antibody testing.  Auto-antibodies plus symptoms would support the diagnosis of an autoimmune condition.  IVIG has been used in the treatment of auto-immune SFN / SFPN (small fiber polyneuropathy), various autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and may show promise for POTS.
For more information on auto-antibody testing for SFN and POTS, see [[Emerging_autoantibody_lab_tests|this page]].
== Scientific papers discussing IVIG treatment of conditions commonly found in long haulers ==
== Scientific papers discussing IVIG treatment of conditions commonly found in long haulers ==



Revision as of 04:25, 8 February 2022

Because IVIG treatment is costly, patients and doctors generally need to build a case that the treatment is warranted. One path is to look for evidence of autoimmunity through auto-antibody testing. Auto-antibodies plus symptoms would support the diagnosis of an autoimmune condition. IVIG has been used in the treatment of auto-immune SFN / SFPN (small fiber polyneuropathy), various autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and may show promise for POTS.

For more information on auto-antibody testing for SFN and POTS, see this page.

Scientific papers discussing IVIG treatment of conditions commonly found in long haulers

Our experience with the use of IVIg in patients with autoimmune autonomic neuropathy matches that which has been reported by Oaklander and Flanagan with a response rate of approximately 75–80%. Many patients improve by 80–90% of their pre-illness level of functioning.

Overall, 74% of patients rated themselves 'improved' and their neurologists labeled 77% as 'IVIg responders'; 16% entered remissions that were sustained after IVIg withdrawal. All adverse events were expected; most were typical infusion reactions. The two moderate complications (3.6%) were vein thromboses not requiring discontinuation. The one severe event (1.8%), hemolytic anemia, remitted after IVIg discontinuation.

Treatment with corticosteroids and/or intravenous immune globulin objectively and subjectively benefited 80% of patients (12/15).

Note: the article above describes treatment with corticosteroids. Some long haulers see a very noticeable increase in symptoms with corticosteroids so a conservative approach towards corticosteroids may be prudent.

A patient with severe postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) received immunotherapy with low-dose naltrexone (LDN) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and antibiotic therapy for small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). A dramatic and sustained response was documented.

Support group

The IVIG for V & C19 support group is a place where patients share information about sympathetic doctors, information on testing for autoimmune SFN / small fiber polyneuropathy, etc. etc.