IgA Deficiency Support Group
Selective immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency is a relatively mild genetic immunodeficiency. People with this deficiency lack immunoglobulin A (IgA), a type of antibody that protects against infections of the mucous membranes lining the mouth, airways, and digestive tract. It is the most common of the primary antibody deficiencies.
Hi everyone!
I’m 21 and was diagnosed with severe IGA deficiency when I was 19. It affects my life immensely (IV treatments bi weekly, lots of doctor’s appointments, ect.) I’m unable to do what normal 21 year olds go out and do. My body is very weak (extreme joint pain, fatigue, constantly sick due to a poor immune system) and I have major FOMO.
I know I can’t be the only young woman going through this. If anyone relates or has any advice, that would be wonderful!
Thank you :)
I know what you mean, I to have a lot of issues that I think are related to iga defieciency though I don't really get too many bad coughs or colds but have a lot of 'minor' GI issues and joint problems despite a very good diet and weight being 10 stone or less.
Doctors need to be better educated about immune issues, but especially iga deficiency because it is always dismissed as being a minor immunodeficiency when it can still have quite a big impact, don't get me wrong I would rather have it than CVID (which can develop from iga def), but my quality of life is definetely impacted by it.
Sorry I can't offer any advice really because I've tried to eat healthy etc. and it hasn't helped me much (I'm 37), I try not to let it get me down but it's hard sometimes because I'm having joint pain and/or other pains and it's hard to concentrate on what I'm doing above the pain.
It's hard to accept a limited life because of this condition, especially when doctors dismiss it as nothing of concern.