Common Variable Immunodeficiency Support Group
Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of 20-30 primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) which have a common set of symptoms but with different underlying causes. CVID's underlying causes are different, but the result of these are that the body doesn't produce sufficient antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens.
Hello, I haven't been diagnosed with anything yet but I am seeing an immunologist. About ten months ago I just started getting infections, rashes that were bacterial infections (this happened four times) and twice really bad throat infections. It was like I would get a break then another infection would crop up. This was unusual for me and something told me my immune system was messed up so I talked to my PCP about it. She ran labs for IGG & IGA which came back as IGG=390 and IGA=6. That's when she sent me to the immunologist who also ran an IGM which was 33. I had already been vaccinated for pneumonia and tetanus so she checked to see if I made antibodies. Both were low. Then she gave me a booster pneumonia and I went back four weeks later for the labs and found out today that it is again low. I go see her in two weeks to discuss the results. I don't know if these results mean I have CVID or some variation but I do know on my second visit to the immunologists office she talked of just putting me on antibiotics. My only concern is that I do have an intestinal problem and am afraid of the constant use of antibiotics.
I also had to go to a rheumatologist because my shoulder joints have become so painful....again this is so unusual for me. I've never had so many doctors =:o
I guess I'm posting because I really have no one else who can relate and I've read some of the posts here and everyone is so well informed. I'll find out in two weeks if I get a diagnosis or more tests.
Thanks for letting me rant :)
B
I also had to go to a rheumatologist because my shoulder joints have become so painful....again this is so unusual for me. I've never had so many doctors =:o
I guess I'm posting because I really have no one else who can relate and I've read some of the posts here and everyone is so well informed. I'll find out in two weeks if I get a diagnosis or more tests.
Thanks for letting me rant :)
B
It seems as though others have had years of dealing with infections, this just seemed to start all of a sudden with....me less than a year ago. You said it turns up in the third or fourth decade of life, well I'm 54 so maybe I'm a late starter ;)
B
What I meant by diagnosed in the 3rd or 4th decade of life was that even though some people have been sick their whole lives, average time to get diagnosed is over 12 years! Crazy I know.
Hope this explanation helps a little bit.
Welcome. I am brand new to this site, but not chronic illness, unfortunately. I have CVID & Sjogren's Syndrome (pronounced SHO-GRINS) with some overlap of RA symptoms.
I was sick my entire life with major respiratory issues & even had 2/3 of my right lung removed at 14 y/o. No one ever tried to find out why.
In 2013, I got a brainstorm (i will be 57 June 1st)..and decided to go to an Immunologist. Ah, ha..finally diagnosed with CVID.
I will tell you that since I started my Sub-Q infusions of IVIG, my infections are much less. I do still get some, but before I was averaging an infection every 4-6 weeks.
Because of my autoimmune issues, I have several different specialists. I have found that this chronic illness journey requred me to adapt to a "new normal", but it changes frequently.
With meds, I am able to still work FT. My fatigue level is such that I have to take some mini naps on my lawnchair cushion at work. Luckily, my husband & I own the company (or I would have been fired otherwise)...haha.
I wish you luck in obtaining your diagnosis. There is also a great forum IDF Immune Deficiency Friends that you might wish to check out. IDF can send you a lot of great information.
Take Care.
SjoDry