Plasmapheresis as a diagnostic for autoimmunity and as ongoing treatment

[Gingergrrl]

Very interesting presentation on immunoadsorption

I just read through it, and definitely very interesting, but have you found anywhere in the US that does actual immunoadsorption (IA) vs. full plasma exchange (PLEX)? It seems like IA is done in Europe and Asia vs. in the US and that doctors here feel plasma exchange is too dangerous (which it really might be due to all of the factors mentioned in the presentation)! It listed all of the diagnoses and one person had GAD auto-antibodies, which I have, but I had not really considered them to be that serious like the other auto-antibodies but am now wondering if I am wrong?!

 

[dreampop]

Would plasmaphersis be effective if the autoimmunity was in the CNS? Looks like the best study for it didn't find much improvement in MS.

 

[Jesse2233]

Would plasmaphersis be effective if the autoimmunity was in the CNS? Looks like the best study for it didn't find much improvement in MS.

I'd think so given the success with myastinia gravis. With MS I imagine some of the brain lesions are irreversible in the short term

 

[frozenborderline]

Is plasmapharesis ever covered by insurance ?