I had a cold about 5 weeks ago that never really went away and then it came back worse than before. It might be coincidence but I'm wondering given my IgM is slightly low, 46, am I more prone to infections? If so, does anyone have any suggestions for boosting the immune system?
I also have been in treatment for a frozen shoulder that is not improving; not sure if that inability to heal quickly is related to this condition.
Thanks for your input.
Julie
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Re: Hard to recover from colds & sinus infections
Hi Julie,
I have the same problem. I have had 3 sinus infections in the last 4 months. This last one was the worst. My IgM is at 27 now. My IgG and IgA are on the low side of normal, my doctor wants to start me on dex and Revlimid now because of the chronic infections.
Best of luck to you.
I have the same problem. I have had 3 sinus infections in the last 4 months. This last one was the worst. My IgM is at 27 now. My IgG and IgA are on the low side of normal, my doctor wants to start me on dex and Revlimid now because of the chronic infections.
Best of luck to you.
Re: Hard to recover from colds & sinus infections
Thank you. I had hoped "asymptomatic" meant just that. I appreciate your reply and wish you the very best of luck with your treatment.
Julie
Julie
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jdh101 - Name: jdh101
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/15/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Hard to recover from colds & sinus infections
I have a history of catching colds and them going on and on.. I have had chronic low neutrophil counts, which led to me having thorough blood tests by a hematologist. .Also had physio on shoulder that was stiff.
I do think it's to do with body being immune deficient and healing slowly. I'm actually glad to have answers now. I have smoldering multiple myeloma now and going OK.
Cheers,
Carol.
I do think it's to do with body being immune deficient and healing slowly. I'm actually glad to have answers now. I have smoldering multiple myeloma now and going OK.
Cheers,
Carol.
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cazzamac - Name: cazzamac
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2016.
Re: Hard to recover from colds & sinus infections
Dear Julie,
The longer you are a part of this community, the more stories you will read about people having repeated infections and illness. Like myself, this is how multiple myeloma was discovered to begin with. Yes, we get these illnesses / infections more frequently and severely than most. Mostly due to having a compromised immune system.
As I said, this is how I found out, because I was "sick" all the time. Hospitalized for pneumonia, got shingles, and too numerous to count 24-hour "bugs". On my own insistence and sick of being sick, I was sent to an immunologist, whom diagnosed my multiple myeloma.
Then on to treatment. Part of my initial treatment was to receive infusions of Intragram (IVIG). This was solely to boost my immune system. I was on monthly infusion for approximately 1 year.
For me personally it worked very well. I know it sounds strange, but as I was receiving the infusions, many days I went in fatigued and run down. As the Intragram / IVIG went into my system, I would pep up 10 fold and in fact feel really good.
I am not sure if this was psychosomatic or a physical reaction. Nonetheless, I stopped getting the 24 hour "bugs" and generally felt better. And touch wood, I have not been hospitalized for an out-of-control infection since.
So if you keep getting ill or can't shake it, perhaps talk to your doctor about IVIG.
Vicki
The longer you are a part of this community, the more stories you will read about people having repeated infections and illness. Like myself, this is how multiple myeloma was discovered to begin with. Yes, we get these illnesses / infections more frequently and severely than most. Mostly due to having a compromised immune system.
As I said, this is how I found out, because I was "sick" all the time. Hospitalized for pneumonia, got shingles, and too numerous to count 24-hour "bugs". On my own insistence and sick of being sick, I was sent to an immunologist, whom diagnosed my multiple myeloma.
Then on to treatment. Part of my initial treatment was to receive infusions of Intragram (IVIG). This was solely to boost my immune system. I was on monthly infusion for approximately 1 year.
For me personally it worked very well. I know it sounds strange, but as I was receiving the infusions, many days I went in fatigued and run down. As the Intragram / IVIG went into my system, I would pep up 10 fold and in fact feel really good.
I am not sure if this was psychosomatic or a physical reaction. Nonetheless, I stopped getting the 24 hour "bugs" and generally felt better. And touch wood, I have not been hospitalized for an out-of-control infection since.
So if you keep getting ill or can't shake it, perhaps talk to your doctor about IVIG.
Vicki
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vicstir - Name: Vic
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Hard to recover from colds & sinus infections
Hi Julie,
My latest IgM result is only 14, my IgG is also low at 60. But I'm not picking up any infections – even colds! I've been taking curcumin since I was diagnosed as smoldering last April. Not sure if that's keeping me well?
What I'm saying is we are all different, so just because you have a low immunoglobulin result doesn't mean you will start getting infections.
Regards
My latest IgM result is only 14, my IgG is also low at 60. But I'm not picking up any infections – even colds! I've been taking curcumin since I was diagnosed as smoldering last April. Not sure if that's keeping me well?
What I'm saying is we are all different, so just because you have a low immunoglobulin result doesn't mean you will start getting infections.
Regards
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Colm - Name: Colm
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: smoldering April 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 56
6 posts
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