I am a 39 year old Australian woman. I was diagnosed with CFS in 1998 - which is a label for a whole lot of symptoms that they can't really narrow down much, I guess. Last year, further tests revealed that I have hypoimmunoglobulinaemia.

I have been having 10 mL IM injections monthly since then. They improved my energy levels, but I have still been getting sinus infections every 4-6 weeks, which knock me flat for 2 weeks each time.

My immunologist is about to start me on IV Ig therapy, and I would like to know if you can tell me what to expect. Will this reduce the number of infections? What are the common side effects (he only mentioned allergic reactions at the site)? Does it actually prevent infections? How long does each treatment take? And any other information you think would be good to tell me.

I am an RN, and haven't worked for many years (I have been on a disability pension). I started working 2 days/week in a day eye surgery a month ago, and am struggling a bit with it, but if I can stop these infections (I have one now), I hope I can keep working, as my employer is very understanding about my health situation.

Thanks,
Anne

Dear Anne,
Hi(from a fellow "Ozzie") I have a ten year old son with CVID who has had IVIg since he was 4. He's had a few problems this year since his dose was again increased; with nausea, dizziness and a rash during the last part of his infusion time (as well as straight afterwards). His immunologist and nurses have now solved the problem by slowing down the rate of infusion (he starts at 20ml/hr and goes to a maximum of 100ml/hr, not the recommended 150ml/hr any more)and now has no reaction at all. I hope it all goes well for you - I have only just been diagnosed with CVID myself and have started on IMIg but am trying to have infusions instead as the IM doesn't seem to be working very well. Hope yours goes well! From Annette

Hey young lady....Don't give up.

It is a drag some days. I am diggin what your saying about spouse's.
I am 52 years old. The doc says I could have had all of the boys that
I wanted...my type of immune problem skips the boys.

Yeah...I get about 40 grams twice a month. I have recieved them every
month since I was about 5 years old. yep! that was back in 1960.

Yeah...sometimes life is a drag. Work....relationships...and PAIN.

But...pop a few aspirin ...OK...maybe about 9 or 10 a day...

I am grateful for being born here in the USA...I can guarantee that if
you or I would have been born in a country that is less fluent...we probably would have been in Heavon.

well ...see ya.

older than dirt and twice as smelly

Jumpin Jack