Changing from iv to sub cut immunoglobulin

[julieb]

Hello all.
I have been having iv immunoglobulin since 1998 and doing this at home since 1999. Today I have been told that I will have to change to sub cut. This is not for clinical reasons but to do with administering and a change of protocols at my local hospital. Has anyone else made this change and how have you found it? Would love to know the good side and the problems.

[glowing]

Hi Julie,
I've been doing subcut for a couple of years now. For me it's been much better having treatment in my tummy every week at home, instead of iv every three weeks in hospital. I used to get headaches after treatment. I also don't have the peaks and troughs I got with iv.

Some people find it harder if they are very slim, but I don't have that problem. I find that gently squeezing a small area of flesh and touching it with the needle, to make sure I'm not over a vein, is an important start. The first time I put a needle in myself I wanted to show the nurse I wasn't scared. Without hesitating I pinched some flesh pushed in the needle, hit a vein, which really hurt and had to wait a few minutes to stop bleeding on my clothes and to control my embarrassed giggling. If I don't remove the needles correctly, keeping them straight, I bruise myself, but not too seriously. As the liquid is just under the skin it leaves little swellings, which can sometimes be quite red and warm. They settle down quickly with cold flannels over them and the lumps disappear by the next day as the liquid is absorbed. When I was first diagnosed, nearly four years ago (I'm still feel very new to it all.) I had to travel 25 miles to the hospital for treatment, which took up most of the day. I much prefer being comfortable at home. Oh yes, just remembered, it's also a good idea to make sure your skin is warm.

Good luck. Please let us know how you get on.

Glo

[mothergoose]

I started on IVIG at the hospital, 60 miles away, they had a problem getting a vein every time. I also got really sick in bed for 4 days after each treatment.
last Nov I started on SQIG and have not a single problem since.
only problem is I am so much healthier I have to schedule time to do the treatments.

[julieb]

Thanks for your comments and advice. So far I am finding the process quite simple and can see some potential benefits. I just hope my legs can take the constant battering - I have other issues which mean I can't use my tummy to stick the needles in.

[kor]

HI There, I am new to all of this. I have been on IVIG since January and my doctor wants me to change to Sub Cue as well.  I am wondering where do you pick up the product from and all the supplies needed? Pharmacy or hospitals? How much do you get at a time? How do you store the product?

[mothergoose1]

It depends on where you live, I get my produce sent form the blood bank and I buy supplies from medical supply stores. I have been having a hard time buying my butterflies needles with tubing, for what ever reason I am told now it is a special order, they think the store should have it by next Monday, but then would have to send it out to me, I can't buy any of it in the small town I live in.

[prickles]

Welcome Kor.

We live in the UK and when my daughter was on sub cut everything was supplied to us via Homecare, it used to be delivered every 3 months. The NHS even gave us a small fridge to keep it all in. Caitlin went back onto IVIG 4 years ago as she finds it suits her better.

Sue