Experiences with Plasmapheresis

Last week. Was screened and after several hours the process was performed successfully in 30 minutes. Today I went and only waited 1.5 hours to be hooked up and the machine operated slowly from the get go. it kept beeping and took 1 .5 hours and when the machine tried to return my blood it failed. they had already switched arms, and again tried to insert a needle and return the blood to m body. I was sent away for 56 days, because they could not get the machine to return my blood. this was a risk I knew could happen when I signed my paperwork. I just didn't expect ot to happen to me, since it went so smooth the first time! I was well hydrated, I wonder if the fault was my veins or the machine?Anyone know, there's no info on the Internet.Thanks, CH

I had six different treatments every other day. My last one was Sunday of this week. One of the nurses that gave me the treatment was surprised that I had come in to work. She encouraged me to take the day off in between sessions to gain my strength back. She also told me that my immune system was compromised and to stay away from people who are sick. I really had no problems with the plasma exchange. The first day the nurse didn't run saline solution at the same time, so I did have some drops in blood pressure. Most of the nurses who gave me the treatment ran the saline solution at the same time. There was one other nurse near the end who didn't do the saline solution and I had problems with low blood pressure again. The nurses that gave my plasma pheresis were from the blood bank and knew exactly what they were doing. They stayed with me through the whole procedure. I took the procedure to help me with CIDP. It seems to have helped some so far and I am told to give it more time and I may see even better changes. I am so thankful that the insurance covered it. I had a quintin (sp) catheter put in to my jugular vein. It was uncomfortable for the first few days, but then I got used to it. It is out now, until I have to have more treatments. Those treatments will be at least 2-3 months away. It is nice to be able to shower again. I would say that my experience has been very possitive. I have been quite tired since and am not sure if it has anything to do with the procedure or the fact that I am not sleeping well. I would love to hear some insight into that, if anyone knows.

It makes me totaly free of medications and no symptomes of the illness either. Only drawback is that I have to go three times a year. Something my doctor isn't to happy about.

But I experienced citrate poisoning so make sure your doctor explained all the side effects. Also make sure the place you are having this done is well prepared for any reaction.

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It is making me extremely tired and lightheaded

I have fsgs that came back in my transplanted kidney. I have been on plasmaphorsis for almost five years now and have had great success... This treatment is not as hard on my body as dialysis. It is much faster and well worth the time it takes to keep my kidney as long as i can...

The treatment itself is painless I slept through four of my five plasmapheresis treatments. Only pain i have and was told it's normal by the doctors and nurses is joint pain. Particularly in my knees if I walk or stand for more than a minute they start to give out. It's been five days straight of therapy so I will need to give it some time I guess.

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It wasn't painful. I had three treatments, each a day apart. I was too have had five treatments. Doctors decided to stop after third treatment, because I was showing no signs of improvement. But a week after third treatment I did start to show some improvement. I still have a long way to go before I am better, but can hold a pen again and write my name. I am able too bath and dress without help again. Still have too use wheelchair too get out and about. Have been fighting problem since spring 2010. Finally found doctor knew what too do. Had treatments 1st week Dec. 2013.

I have Myasthenia Gravis. It was well advanced before it was diagnosed. I was in extreme crisis. I had to cover my right eye in order to see anything. I could barely breathe, and sometimes I really couldn't breathe at all. Eventually, I was being maintained at a very low level by receiving IVIG 4 times per month. For 7 years, I fought and begged for plasma pheresis. Finally, a nurse practitioner in a neurologist's office asked me if I would like her to refer me for plasma pheresis. The neurologist didn't block her referral. When a nephrologist saw my records, he ordered plasma pheresis immediately. I have been receiving plasma pheresis treatments for a month, and I have to say, the results are amazing. If I had a competent neurologist, I could have started receiving plasma pheresis 7 years ago, and I might not have had the 7 years of hell. I thank God for that nurse practitioner who went out on a limb for me and got me the help I desperately needed.