How convenient is symptomatic condition AND how heard is it really to DX immunity issues given blood test indevidules under go in life time.
Here IS good ilastration of ❄️ Snowballing condition.
I don’t know about you but don’t think I was ever told immunity issues could do cause bronchiectasis.
Guess that’s why bronchiectasis dx is so wishy washy AS it must so hard to dx immunity issues
It can’t be or the not arsed or the lie to point they can no longer.
“” IgG deficiency is usually symptomatic though the symptoms (often bronchiectasis) may not be identified until later in life. It is unfortunately the case that despite onbviuos symptoms.
The commonest presentations of IgG deficiency are (in order) recurrent chest, sinus or gut infections.
As one with immunity issues wishy washy bronchiectasis dx makes sobering reading 📖
Clearly I have not been told causes of my own IGM deviancy or issues re benice Jones protein’s
I think I know WHY not been told about IGM issues AS is unusual deficancy SO given benice Jones proteins THINK I will raise issue with my doctor’s IF only for answers
It's worth talking to Dr about it, and put your mind at rest. Best wishes
Hi Jeff, bronchiectasis is a particular type of lung and airway damage which is caused by repeated infections. It is now pretty straight forward to diagnose by ct scan IF the right person is reading the scan. Somebody trained and experienced in the diagnosis, treatment and management of bronchiectasis. Unfortunately too many scans are read by radiologists and general respiratory consultants who do not have this expertise. There you have your first level of confusion with dx of bronch.
The next problem is to identify what caused the infections which led to the repeated infections in order that exacerbations can be prevented.
There are so many reasons. Whooping cough or measles in childhood, in my case 6 episodes of double pneumonia before the age of 4 with no apparant reason, cystic fibrosis, RA and yes, immune deficiency.
There is no definite cause identifiable for 30% of people with bronchiectasis, me being one of them. My immune system is always going like a steam train which causes its own problems.
These interreacting factors do make it difficult for many to get the bronch dx in the first place and to have any underlying causal condition managed so as to help prevent further infections. As you know immune deficiency causes so many problems.
I don’t think that there is any conspiracy to deny that bronchiectasis can be caused by immune deficiency, rather that each speciality is dealing with the condition that they are cognisant with, ie the bronchiectasis OR the immune deficiency. There are quite a few people on this forum who know that their bronchiectasis came about because of the infections which result from immune deficiency and it is managed accordingly.
When I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis it was suggested that childhood measles could be the cause. I refuted that as I had measles before I was a year old and reached 62 years without any lung problems.
However I had been given oral steroids by my GP for my joints. I hadn't thought this necessary but he insisted. Within 3 weeks of starting steroids I had a chest infection, by 6 months of steroids I had my 3rd chest infection and my 2nd sinus infection. He said I was making a fuss! I changed my GP and was referred to the hospital straight away. I was weaned off steroids and now don't take them at all. Not even in my rescue pack.
Oral steroids can, in just a few people, wreck your immunity. I was one of the unlucky few.
A very good point and steroids are not a treatment for bronch unless it is combined with asthma or emphesyma. Many GPs don't realise that.
I am immune deficient caused by medication I had to treat Vasculitis a condition that attacks my immune system. I was diagnosed with Bronchiectasis by ct scan and was told that it was caused by my Vasculitis and repeated infections. I now inject myself with IGg weekly but have been told there’s no replacement for IGa or IGm. Perhaps that’s why your IGm deficiency is being overlooked. I would also add that The meds for IGg are very expensive as they are bought in from America where people are paid to give blood. My immunoglobulin is tested every time I go to hospital via a blood test. Perhaps you could see an immunologist?
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Feeling Annoyed With My GP The DEFO Need To Get Over This Wanting To Kill Us 
