dr kwak kim

[hopeful2010]

Hi all. I'm knew to this forum. Thank you all for so much valuable information and sharing there personal stories.

I am considering consulting with dr Kwak-kim. But before I do, does anyone know if she will prescribe intralipid? I don't know if I can afford the expense of IVIG and if that is all she is willing to prescibe, I'm not sure I want to waist my or her time.

Thank you for your help.

Leslie

[rjc0704]

I think it depends on your diagnosis. If it's for NK and not high TH1/TH2 cytokine ratios then it should be an option for you. I don't know about Kwaw-Kim, but Dr. Carolyn Coulman does it out of chicago.

I searched intralipids as an alternative to IVIG but Dr. Stricker told me that intralipids is for elevated NK activity/count and that I need IVIG more for high TH1/TH2 cytokine ratios in addition to slighly elevated NK activity.

There is a chance that insurance will cover IVIG. Some people are successful. I'm still waiting in limbo and praying mine will cover. I can't add 7000 onto this cycle for 2 IVIGs + more if we get a BFP!

[poohbear]

Rhonda,
Can you tell me the test you did that showed the TH1/TH2 cytokine ratios. I don't think I had that test. Thanks hon.
Stacey

[MPTTC3]

Hi! I saw Dr. Kwak-kim after an emergency ectopic pregnancy surgery where I suddenly developed chronic hives (and still have them 2 years later). I went forward with IVF in November '07 and went to Dr. Kwak-Kim because I was concerned that my hives issue was going to effect my twin pregnancy. She found that I had extremely elevated IgE (which mostly effects the skin) and that my NK's were elevated. I was more versed at the time with all the immunology terms. She prescribed IVIG for me EVERY 3 weeks starting as soon as I became her patient. I took IVIG until 23 weeks, and $30,000 later, we were going broke. I got second opinions from regular immunologists/allergists, high-risk maternal-fetal medicine docs, and also Dr. Carolyn Coulam (who I actually saw for office visits twice). I stopped the IVIG and delivered my very healthy beautiful twin boys at 39 weeks (thank you, Dear Lord). I did have some scarey things happened during the pregnancy (bleeding, early cervical dilation, etc), and I'm not sure if her treatment helped or hurt my situation. Many many women SWEAR by IVIG, and that's all the DR. Kwak-Kim does in her office. Beware, by the way, of her nurse. She won't draw blood or do IVIG treatments close to lunch-time or after 2PM in the day. She's not very professional and always worries about going home, lunch breaks, and doesn't return calls promptly. At any rate, Dr. Coulam does do Intralipids, but each woman's immune problem is so different. Many other doctors out there (from my experience) think that the whole field of reproductive immunology doesn't deserve much merit. I, personally, would do and try anything to conceive a healthy baby (babies).