Outpatient IV Insulin Therapy: has anyone tried it?

Posted by pattyback @pattyback, Apr 2, 2021

My husband has PN. He was sent to a pain management specialist, who wants to do Outpatient IV Insulin Therapy. The Dr. stated it’s covered by Medicare. We are leery. For starters, a Google search revealed a CMS memo from 2009 denying coverage for the procedure. Further, my husband is “only” prediabetic. He has never had high numbers and has maintained dietary control for over a decade. We’re not sure he’s a good candidate for this time intensive treatment, even if it were in fact covered by Medicare. Do any of you have experience with this procedure? Thank you!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Neuropathy Support Group.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 3, 2021

Hello @pattyback, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You mentioned your husband has PN and was sent to a pain management specialist who wants to do Outpatient IV Insulin Therapy. Also, you mentioned your husband is not diabetic but is classified as prediabetic which is the same as I am. I am wondering if the pain management specialist was referring to IVIG for neuropathy pain versus IV insulin therapy for diabetes. Is this procedure for the pain caused by his neuropathy?

solobeee | @solobeee | Apr 8, 2021

IVIG was proposed to me many years ago when I was first diagnosed- has anyone here tried it?

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Apr 8, 2021

In reply to @solobeee "IVIG was proposed to me many years ago when I was first diagnosed- has anyone here..." + (show)

@solobeee - There is a discussion on IVIG infusions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ivig-infusions/

Andrea A. | @austintraining | Oct 3, 2022

In reply to @solobeee "IVIG was proposed to me many years ago when I was first diagnosed- has anyone here..." + (show)

Yes. I’m just starting on it.

jfn | @jfn | Oct 4, 2022

In reply to @austintraining "Yes. I’m just starting on it." + (show)

@austintraining

I am on IVig for other reasons, I will have my next treatment in 2 days. Please drink as much water as you can, it will help with the headaches. Also, most of the time Tylenol is given with the treatment, have something to take for headaches 5 1/2 hours later. Which I have been told, they will always happen. My IVig is not for my neuropathy but the therapy has helped immensely with regards to the neuropathy. For the most part it is back to the glove feeling, that can be triggered to be more, but it is not on the same debilitating level of pain as before (neuropathy wise). I will answer as many questions as I can about the IVig. I have also done the cold laser therapy. I do as much yoga (Happy Feet daily) and exercise that my body will tolerate as blood flow, I think is the key (according to many videos and articles.)