IVIG

[Guest guest]

,

I came upon Immunoglobulin by circumstance. I ate at a restaurant

that, a week later, issued a health advisory that a food preparer

was found to have hepatitis A. Obviously, with CLL and a WBC of

124,000, I was alarmed. The Hep A vaccine alone is ineffective to

fight Hep A after-the-fact and the health department was

administering immunoglobulin intramuscularly along with the

vaccine. Coincidentally, at the time, I was experiencing some

swollen, sore lymph nodes in my neck that seemed to be getting worse

rather than better. My hematologist was not concerned nor

interested in treating the swollen lymph nodes. Apparently they are

a sign of fighting infection. 12 hours after the IG shot my lymph

nodes shrank to almost nothing and have remained that way - more

than 1 1/2 months. I don't know what the mechanism was but I won't

argue with success. IG is very expensive, and not covered by most

health plans. In speaking with my hematologist he could not explain

it but informed me that they only use IG when the patient is

severely immune-compromised, e.g. very sick or post-chemotherapy.

It apparently boosts the immune system. I am not aware of any

adverse side effects, but I will certainly consider using IG the

next time my lymph nodes flare up. I did a Google search and found

some reference to FDA approval for treatment of CLL symptomatology

with IG. I assume it is in the area that my hematologist referred

to. I don't know if periodic use is good or bad, but I feel it has

given me a new lease on life and a new leveling off of the

progression of my CLL. I was diagnosed in November 2000.

Haluck

Roseville, CA