Ibrutinib and IVIG

IVIG = IntraVenous Immunoglobulin G. Normally B-Lymphocytes mature into plasma cells which are antibody (immunoglobulin) factories. They churn out Immunoglobulins A, G and M, (or in shorthand IgA, igG and IgM.) Because most of our B-Lymphocytes are comprised of a few clones of which there are trillions and these suppress the normal B and T Lymphocytes, not many mature into plasma cells for us, so it is par for the course that as we progress with CLL, our ability to make antibodies drops away. That's why we don't respond all that well to vaccinations, the sole purpose of which is to trick our bodies into making antibodies against infections we most likely haven't actually had, so that we can fight them off when we do get exposed and hopefully just feel a bit off for a while, if that.

If our IgG is below 300 to 400 (depends where you live) and we get frequent infections, we can qualify for IVIG, which is made up from the pooled IgG antibodies/immunoglobulins of several thousand blood donors (Only IgG can be boosted this way unfortunately.) As you can appreciate, that makes it very expensive, particularly since it is generally needed monthly to maintain an acceptable level of immunity. But it can make a huge difference to your quality of life.

Neil

I always read your comments with great interest. I am very saddened by your latest blog on your friend and colleague.

My husband takes a lot of medication for various problems, maybe the whole combination is just too much. Deleting ivig as an experiment might just help.......he is still awaiting microbiology results from surgery to remove a cluster on his collarbone early December which was first biopsied as squarmous cell carsenoma and then a question raised as to whether it might be t.b.

He is in good hands re medics at three hospitals for various issues and thankfully they all relate and communicate...... I try to be very positive and think of all the poor people we observe who are much worse off medically.

I hope you have a good year medically, you are a strong person and from what I observe GIVE a great deal to other cllers...... for which I thank you hw

Forgive me, I am having computer problems today, I don't know if you received my reply to thank you for your comments. I think that is a good point......... it is an experiment to stop the ivig........ he also has antiviral and gcsf(????) colomycin nebulised twice per day and a load of other stuff. too much maybe, all fighting together. He has tried SLOW,SLOW infusions, and pre-meds, but the wretched feeling is getting longer and longer each time, 5/6 days at the last infusion, he dreads having it.

We had a happy year in Vancouver in the early 80's at False Creek, my husband was a consulting engineer with H.A.Simons.

thankyou for your interest. hw