My husband has very, very low Ig but has never had IVIG because he rarely has infections (because he does not leave the house and has NO exposure.) He has only had two respiratory infections in 10 years with CLL. Both were serious. He may be having hernia surgery and I am worried about infection.
Has anyone heard of giving an immune compromised patient pre-op IVIG to help prevent infection? I was thinking about suggesting this to his surgeon.
I like you feel it is a question well worth asking….I know I would be asking that very question. All the very best to you folks.
Panz🙏🙂💕👍☘️🌴
IVIG is expensive and not a lot of it around.
I too was, possibly still am, low in immunoglobulins and was denied IVIG until I got an infection. That was 7 yrs ago... I have had one mild respiratory infection.
A hernia operation is really very very low risk for infection.
I have just had a knee replacement - potentially a big risk. I was not even tested and the subject of IVIG never raised.
I did get a couple of shots of an antibiotic perioperatively and 24hrs later.
Gonna stick my neck out here... I reckon the surgeon would not have an opinion! Would not know! Its a question for a Haematologist, your Haematologist.
Worth asking!!!
Jig
Hi
I had IVIG this winter as a precaution, my IgG was low before winter but I don't tend have infections , apart from Covid now and again. I was diagnosed stage 4 in Nov 2020, and since Jan 2022 I live a full pre CLL , pre Covid life. So personally I would go for it, no side effects, I also used additional prophylactic antibiotics during the winter too.
I had IVIG before a small operation. I asked my haematology nurse and she sorted it. Desision was made by the hospital panel as it is so expensive. I have very low IgG but rarely get infections so don't qualify here in UK. Definitely ask.
A lot depends on the surgery... is it elective or emergency? I would NOT delay emergency surgery to get my IVIG. I have been getting IVIG regularly ever since my CAR T in 2016. Presently my oncologist has me on every other month infusions. I have not had any pneumonia, etc or other infections. Between infusions, my IgG falls from 700 to less than 200. I am due for a colonoscopy and it is not surgery, of course. But since I have to get the IVIG anyway, I feel why not get the colonoscopy soon after the IVIG infusion if possible. I track my IgG and it is the highest for about a month after the infusion. I am 75 and that is my feeling about the matter. As a retired RN I am probably a bit more concerned about potential infection with any invasive surgery.
I get IV-IG every month and it has kept me healthy! Great idea!
I had IVIG for a gallbladder operation a few years back. The first time I had come across it.
I asked for some pre-operative prophylactic anti-biotics to stave off infection because of my very low immunoglobulins and he suggested a dose of IVIG as well.
Had no post-operative problems and I actually felt the best I had for many years a few weeks later though for only a couple of weeks.
Currently on IVIG every month now with no side effects.
IgG around 1.25 before IVIG now 8.5 (IgM <0.05, IgA 0.1)
I normally have SCIG every week but was due to have bowel surgery which would interefere with or be interfered by the normal SCIG sites. Before surgery I had an IVIG instead and a month later, another IVIG while the abdominal scars all healed up. After that, I went back onto the SCIG. For the SCIG I have 80ml of 20% IgG, so 16g. For the IVIG it was 600ml of 10% solution or 60g which breaks back to the equivalent of15g/week.
Life or death... Or IVIG.
IVIG
Ibrutinib and IVIG
