How To Treat Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis

Intravenous Immunoglobulin

Intravenous immunoglobulin is a second-line treatment typically recommended for patients who have not responded to intravenous steroids. Immunoglobulin is a type of blood product that provides a highly concentrated dose of antibodies. The antibodies used for immunoglobulin are collected from thousands of donors and can offer patients a broad spectrum of protection from immune system attacks and foreign substances. The intravenous antibodies stop the patient's immune system from attacking itself. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatments are given in certain doctor's offices and in hospitals, and the infusions usually take around an hour. The dose is calculated based on the patient's weight. Patients receiving this treatment for acute disseminated encephalomyelitis are given more immunoglobulin per dose than those receiving this treatment for other conditions; however, individuals with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis typically need fewer treatments overall.

Doctors will be able to properly assess the effectiveness of immunoglobulin treatments after as little as one dose, and patients will be informed as to if they will need additional immunoglobulin or if they should try other treatment options instead. Shortly after receiving immunoglobulin, some individuals may develop chills, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and headaches. They could also experience fevers, muscle aches, or pain in the joints. These side effects are most likely to happen if the patient is receiving treatment for the first time or switching to a new brand of immunoglobulin. Additional side effects that may develop within two days of treatment include kidney issues, skin rashes, and reduced platelet counts. Very rarely, a patient might develop a blood clot, and individuals receiving treatment will be told about the potential signs of a clot. Patients should immediately inform their treatment center about any new or worsening side effects.

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Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can be beneficial in helping patients regain muscle strength and coordination after an episode of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. During a physical therapy session, the therapist will teach the patient certain stretches and movements that can increase range of motion, flexibility, and endurance. Some exercises may be performed with the patient's own body weight as resistance, and elastic bands can be added to increase resistance and grip strength. Since acute disseminated encephalomyelitis may cause problems with walking and other voluntary muscle movements, therapy sessions might concentrate on building balance skills and teaching the patient effective ways to use stairs and walk with a more even, comfortable, and steady gait.

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