I don't think this is correct. I have read studies (not sure where they are right now) that say that SCIG is absorbed giving the same dose as IVIG - in fact patients are often more stable on SCIG because more frequent dosing stops the peaks and troughs you get from IVIG.
I honestly do not know any details on this and do not want to misspeak! All I do know is that both of my doctors said that I could never reach the autoimmune dose with SubQ version b/c it is a much lower dose. You can go much higher with IVIG vs. SCIG and can do it in divided doses over the course of several days (if I really ever get that high dose, no idea if I will tolerate it.) As far as how much is absorbed though, I have no idea.
I don't know about in other countries, but for Daff and me we have the RX from a private Dr which means we pay all the costs of our medical care and prescriptions - we cant use insurance. I pay 80 euros a vial for my GG in Europe, three months supply costs me 600 euros - BUT I only take low dose.
Am not sure how to compare but here if IVIG is not approved by insurance, it is not do-able for the average person unless they are a millionaire LOL. IVIG is called liquid gold here and even with insurance I will be paying a lot but without it, it would be impossible.
WHOOP WHOOP! Can you say in what way it has helped? Low dose GG helps me to be able to potter around at home, do some light cooking and cleaning and go out with help. Without it I am almost bedbound. My Dr has no idea why this is...
Whether it has truly helped from one dose, I am quite uncertain but will tell you my experience. It has raised my blood pressure and maintained the increase for 5-6 days without having to take any Midodrine. My BP last night was around 110/75 and staying in this basic range (systolic 100-110 and diastolic 70-78) on it's own and prior I'd drop to the 80's 50's without Midodrine. I have more muscle strength and energy to do basic tasks, especially in my arms which are normally very weak, such as opening the shower door, lifting lightweight objects, or changing the toilet paper roll on my own- very basic tasks, but stuff I could not do prior to IVIG.
It is also easier for me to transfer from wheelchair to bed/chair completely on my own, etc, or to briefly stand up to get dressed without becoming completely breathless. I have more energy to go out and do errands (in wheelchair) for several days in a row. I could do this before if needed but it was more challenging. And without being graphic and hoping this is appropriate, it is no longer difficult (b/c of breathing issues, muscle weakness or pain) to be intimate with my husband and like being on a second honeymoon LOL (I'm sure this would be a great advert for IVIG LOL... if truly related, I have no idea) and hope I am not embarrassing myself or anyone by typing this. Really debated typing this part but since Justy asked, I decided I wanted to be honest.
Also am not having any allergic reactions in spite of a horrific fire not far from us and very bad air quality and heatwave. Am tolerating more foods and not as scared to try them or worried about anaphylactic reactions. But this waxes and wanes and also cannot be certain is from the IVIG.
The bad part of IVIG is that it makes me feel (off and on) slight pressure in my head and bloating in my stomach similar to third spacing from MCAS. The first few days I felt a drugged type of tired and had to sleep a lot and my fingers were swollen so my rings did not fit and gained like five lbs overnight but now my fingers are back to normal and the five lbs basically gone. I guess you retain a lot of fluid with IVIG in the first week and then it dissipates. It also makes me very thirsty and I normally do not feel thirst or drink water and now I am drinking like 7-8 cups a day so overall, I think that is a positive, too.
Thanks Andy and I love balloons LOL. Glad you are feeling better too and off the bench.