Yes, fungal infection or candida in lungs is common with an immune suppression disease. The first thing you may want to look at is your dose of IG. Your doseage probably needs to be increased. Secondly, after I started having multiple yeast infections my Dr did a blood allergy testing to yeast. I found out I am allergic to yeast. So I have had to watch the yeast in my food. As my Dr says, we all need yeast, but there is good yeast and there is bad yeast. I have had to eliminate sugar, as yeast feeds and grows with the sugar in the diet. All of the changes in my diet along with my IVIG and I have not had a yeast infection since.

igg replacement i dont think will touch a yeast infection...to my understanding (i could be wrong) igg fights bacterial...fungal doent fall into that category...you will need anti fungal meds....

but fugal infections are common for cvid'ers...

I've never had fungal infections in my lungs, as I am not prone to upper respiratory infections, but I get fungal infections ALL the time all over my body...it seems to never end. As soon as one goes away, another pops up. I am constantly in need of RX anti fungal creams.
Like countr said, I have adjusted my diet-eliminated processed food and white sugar, but I haven't seen a difference yet-no allergy came up in allergy testing for me. I hope this your first and last fungal infection.
I had no idea they were so common.
Feel Better, LuLu

Thanks! I have my first infusion on Wednesday after a longggg battle with insurance. More lack of communication during approval than anything. I was actually negative for ALL allergies each time I was tested. One thing that's not wrong with me!! My lungs are the most affected. I've had positive cultures for a long time, it was just a shock to hear fungal rather than bacterial! And that's strange. I get a rash up my neck and on my hands that flares up every time my respiratory symptoms are off my baseline and they have just called it a "fever rash" as it starts at the same time as my fevers! I do have a cream already though that helps! And I was basically told to take the anti-fungals and wear a mask into every patients room while I'm working in the hospital. I am an RT student, and they said this infection makes me more suceptible than normal, though I didn't know that was possible:0

Hi,

I was actually misdiagnosed with Valley Fever and was treated with Diflucan for a couple of months. I had absolutely no side effects from it. MMmmmm probably not much help to you lol but I thought i would share i've taken antifungals before :)

Yes, IVIG does fight against bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Since you are an RT student, I know an RN, you have to be very careful when your immune system is trying to fight off a yeast infection. Please take care of yourself. Wearing a mask is going to prevent you from picking up any other infections while your immune system is compromised. Try to get some extra rest to recover. Let us know how your infusion goes. Hang in there.

Thanks! And, Kelli that made me laugh!! I actually haven't had ANY side effects! I might like these better then antibiotics:) Thanks for all you guys help! This forum has really eased my anxieties through this mess!

It's funny you mentioned getting a rash up your neck and on your hands...1 day after every infusion I get a rash up my neck and on my hands-so weird! it just looks like a red flush but if you touch it it feels kinda bumpy like hives. I don't think it's fungal-I use hydra cortisone for a week and it goes away.

Maybe some scientist should be studying these forums and taking notes for research lol

hi, I have had several rounds of fungal infection. My immune doc was kind of taken aback by this. I was also seeing an infectious disease doc and he caught this most recent fungal infection. I was put on Nystatin, and did get better, but I'm not well. A warning to anyone who does long-term (month long I guess) round of anti-fungal taken orally--take PROBIOTICS. The infection is because they yeast/bacteria balance is off. After my most recent round of nystatin I got better for a few weeks but then got very very sick. I'm getting checked for Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (aka SIBO) which I believe is a common occurrence after long term anti-fungals. Nystatin will knock out most candida overgrowth very effectively, but can also make your intestines "porous". I can't say that many doctors are aware of this sequalae, but it has left me very weak. Eat well, cut out sugars of all kinds, avoid grains and look into taking a "candida cure" compound supplement. Fungal infections are worse than bacterial if you ask me. I've been fighting them since childhood and most doctors miss them totally so be glad it was identified.

I have had these weirdo fungal infections on my tongue for ages. It is like having thrush but it never goes. I have taken all sorts of things for it. Right now things are a bit better because I have not taken any antibiotics for a while. I have always figured if my tongue is fungal then the rest of my insides must be as well. Good advice on the probiotics. I ended up with Cdiff after being treated in the hospital for kidney infection. Oh LORD. That was the worst. Probiotics are definitely a must when they have you on constant antibiotics.

Kelfertaylor-I empathize with you on the C-Diff. I had it for a whole year. Ugh!
Regarding Probiotics, due to becoming completely dairy and lactose intolerant after C-Diff, I am unable to use probiotics. Many probiotics contain ingredients that are similar in structure to yogurt cultures that can trigger lactose and dairy allergies in folks with very sensitive GI systems.
So, if your CVID is primarily GI issues, and you seem to get an upset stomach after taking probiotics talk to your doc-there are some other alternatives.

I just happened to remember, a few years ago when I was having an increased amount of yeast infections, my Dr let my borrrow a book from his library called, "The Yeast Connection." It was very informative. Then when I had some testing done, I found I was allergic to yeast. I made alot of changes in my diet and was put on yeast allergy shots. I have not had any more yeast infections since.
Just to add a comment about the C-Diff, I just had a class on the subjuct. It is a growing problem when you are in the hospital. I encourage all to read about C-Diff and how easily it can be acquired. It can live on a surface for 30 days. Also, there are now several new "super bugs" in hospitals, nursing homes, assisted facilities with no antibiotic treatments working. The more informed we are, the better we can protect ourselves.

I got c-diff from a hospital stay. I had been hospitalized for a kidney infection for three days and the c-diff hit me about twenty four hours after I got home. It was very rough. I found out yesterday that I am covered in fungal infections. My mouth, lips, tongue throat and esophagus are totally inflamed with thrush. I have been on prednisone for several weeks to try and treat autoimmune pancreatitis. It has not worked on the pancreatitis but it has given me the worst fungal infection of my life. I cannot eat. The dr. gave me nystatin, three doses of diflucan and lidocaine mouth wash. I am headed to Jacksonville, Fla. this week to see the GI team at Mayo. My appointment there is on Wed. I guess I will just try to hold together until I get out there. Right now I am wheezing but I don't know, can the fungus be down in my lungs? Should I be concerned about that or wait? Thanks for any pointers. I feel worse than doo doo:(

I just want to add some info about the monster that is C-Diff!
Countr, you are so right about how easy it is to catch C-Diff in hospitals/hospital like settings. The super bugs are scary. Anti-biotics can also cause C-Diff, which puts our population at a high risk.
I had not been in a hospital or on any anti-biotics and I still got C-Diff. My infectious disease Doc reported the case to the CDC as they are now tracking spontaneous cases.
Not many antibiotics left will treat the illness, however, if you have C-Diff, talk to your doc about getting treated with Vancomiacin (sp?) right away, (Flagyl is pretty useless at this point) followed by a course of a new med called Difficid. Difficid is an antibiotic approved by the FDA 3 years ago, but has been being used in Europe for almost 10 years. It is the only antibiotic that has been shown to prevent a C-Diff Relapse, and many Docs haven't even heard of it.
Also, an old school, but effective treatment to use along with antibiotics, is Chlorystryamine. It does not kill C-Diff, but it does bind Toxin A and Toxin B allowing good flora to grow and helps with the diarrhea.
Just as mentioned C-Diff can live on surfaces for 30 days. The only thing that can kill the spores is Bleach. You can't use a pre-mixed, like 'Clorox Clean Up' It has to be 1 part Bleach, 10 Parts water. And, it sucks, but you need to disinfect every day-especially the bathroom, doorknobs, remote controls, phones, keyboards, counter tops to minimize the risk of re-infecting yourself.
Finally, another very simple, safe, and gross procedure can get rid of the infection in about 3 days. It has been used in Europe for years, and US Docs are just starting to use it here-A stool transplant. It is an easy procedure-the stool from a healthy person is basically 'washed' and given to you in a colonoscopy type procedure. Takes about 15 minutes and most patients recover in 3 days, no relapses, and 1 round of antibiotics.
My doc was just about to send me to a hospital where stool transplants are performed, when I got DX'd with CVID...IVIG worked for me though. But, after a whole year with C-Diff, I would have much rather have just had the transplant and skipped round after round of antibiotics.