SCIg Treatment

[Cookers]

May have to begin this treatment. Wondering if anyone has been through this and what your experience was. Easy to do? Feel better? Able to travel? I'm in Canada (Ontario) so is the cost covered? Appreciate any information.

[Vizilo]

I’m also in Ontario in the Niagara region but my cll specialist is in Toronto. I have been on SCig for about 3 years. The immunoglobulin is free in Ontario and I generally pick up a 12 week supply from the local hospital.

When you start, a visiting nurse trains you for as many weeks as you need. My wife and I decided we didn’t need any supervision after 2 weeks. It takes about 90 minutes from set-up to finish and you can do virtually anything while you infuse at home. It’s painless and easy to administer and I have had zero complications in the roughly 150 times I’ve infused.

There is no issue with travelling although we have not done so because of COVID precautions. As for feeling better, it has made no difference. The reason that I was prescribed it was to minimize dangerous infections and it certainly has met that target - no significant infections in the last 3 years.

By the way, there are lots of good posts on SCIg in this CLL Support group as well as a number of YouTube videos on how to infuse

Good luck and don’t worry - it’s pretty straightforward and painless and provides continuous protection against potential nasty infections.

[Cookers in reply to Vizilo]

Thank-you so much for that very informative reply! I was not expecting this conversation with the Dr so I left with more questions than answers, all of which you responded to! Reassuring to hear how well the process goes and the benefits. Exactly the reasons I have been told that it may be required. My blood has to be checked first so will see. Many thanks! Take care!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to Cookers]

The IgG supplied for subcutaneous delivery is relatively easy to take with you when travelling. It just needs to be kept between 4 and 25 degrees Celcius. I've twice taken a 3 month supply from Australia to Europe, around 40 hours travel time. See: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

I've described my infusion experience here: healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Neil

[Cookers in reply to AussieNeil]

Isn't that good to know! Thanks so much!

[SeymourB]

Cookers -

One issue with travelling is that the SCIg serum likes to be refrigerated until a few hours before use if room temperature is above room temperature.

nufactor.com/assets/downloa...

Another issue is that you may need to carry a letter from your doctor to get the serum past suspicious airport security. Don't pack it in your bags - temperature can vary a lot in the cargo bay, I think.

SCIg certainly doesn't prevent all illnesses. Continue masking, and try to eat outdoors or in a well ventilated area. I think bars and restaurants are where viruses spread the most due to people talking across each other.

=seymour=

[Cookers in reply to SeymourB]

Good points to know! Thanks so much!