[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Immune System Indicators of Long-Term Disease Control

by Nancy Shamanna on Mon Jul 16, 2012 8:40 am

Hi Ron, Hope you are getting better from the meningitis and C-diff, and are back to your regular life soon. Haven't had either of those infections, but the last Time I was hospitalized, the staff thought that I might have C-diff. Thus, was put into an isolation room, and the medical staff had to gown up, and put on gloves and bootees, before they could enter my room. Yikes! C-diff is an awful scourge of hospitals and nursing homes, and there are these protocols in place to try to prevent it's spread. Will look forward to reading your posts again on the Beacon.

[Mark]

Re: Immune System Indicators of Long-Term Disease Control

by Mark on Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:22 am

Ron,

Sorry to hear about this problem. I am guessing you are talking about getting IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). I got IVIG 4 times after my allo transplant. It is a long infusion. Mine were 6 hours each. I had a bad reaction to my 3rd infusion. If you have any type of bad feeling while getting the infusion make sure you notify the nurse ASAP. It seemed to work fairly well in terms of stopping new infections. I only got one cold while I was using it. On the downside it did not seem to help clear the cold - it lasted about a month. IVIG helps, but it is no substitute for a properly functioning immune system.

Mark

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Immune System Indicators of Long-Term Disease Control

by Ron Harvot on Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:39 am

Thanks for the replies. I am back to work, started on Monday. I am still on the flagyl and anti viral medication, but I am getting my appetite back and am thinking about riding my bike again. I will see how I feel by Saturday and might go out with our social group at a liesierly pace for 20 miles or so.

If I don't feel strong enough I might just Waite a couple more days.

Ron