Episode 229: IVIg Infusions

Have you heard of IVIg? It is a blood/plasma product administered by infusion. I was administered IVIg by the pulmonologist who was overseeing my care as I was working to get on the lung transplant list and waiting to be transplanted. An uncommon side effect of IVIg is meningitis and I got it with my first infusion. I was getting IVIg for a week of every month for 2.5 years. I got meningitis five times. Eventually, the side effects of having meningitis wasn't worth the limited quality of life the medication was giving me. This was a really difficult decision. What if the medicine that is saving your life is also robbing you of a quality that makes life worth living? Have you had an infusion reaction? Have you had meningitis from IVIg?