The patient will need to keep both arms still unless the catheter is placed into a different spot. Wearing comfortable clothing with loose fitting sleeves that pull easily above the elbows will make it easy to place the needles in each arm. If the procedure is being performed with an indwelling catheter, it may be necessary to wear a hospital gown. The time spent on the machine may be one to three hours. This depends upon the patient s weight, height and the amount of plasma to be exchanged.
Many patients feel fine after the procedure.
Others may feel tired. Plasmapheresis works quickly to increase strength. Most patients begin to improve within the first few days of the treatment. A typical patient who has received three to five exchanges over a week or two would commonly remain stronger for one to two months. After a month or two, the acetylcholine receptor antibodies usually return to pre-treatment levels in the bloodstream.