I listened to Inside Health, a documentary series on BBC Radio 4, a couple of weeks ago. In it it described a patient who had had constant recurring infections over many years and a general feeling of malaise. The doctors had eventually diagnosed "Common Variable Immuno Deficiency" and had prescribed a monthly armful of immunoglobulin. The patient was now doing well. Interestingly patients with untreated CVID often went on to develop NHL.
The patient on the radio sounded presented a medical history similar to mine but I now have SLL/CLL. I have just had my second bout of chemo (Bendamustine) and 6 months after my last treatment I am feeling lousy. As I had a regular appointment with my hematologist the week after the programme I decided to ask about the immunoglobulin levels in my blood. (I am normally given just the cell count.) I have very little immunoglobulin and having discussed it with her colleagues she has decided that I can have an armful every 4 weeks to see if it improves my overall health.
I would like to know if anyone else has had this therapy. I would have liked more reassurance that my suppositions based on a 5 minute clip in a radio programme were sensible but my hematologist told me that she had never heard of anyone receiving it but as I wanted it I could have it.
Thanks for your help