Cognitive meltdown & IgG

Hi Everyone. I've been having unusual problems for months and finally decided to let you join my pity party. We all have lupus fog which is very frustrating, but my problems have surpassed fog. (Interestingly, I can write better than I can speak.) I now have my adult daughter on my checking account so she can pay my bills, balance, etc. I've been overdrawn way too many times simply because I can't do the math. I have difficulty doing every day tasks. Couple of weeks ago I stood in the kitchen several seconds trying to figure out how to get oatmeal from the container into the pot of boiling water. These things happen often. On a positive note my dermatologist got me in to see her rheumatologist. I really like him. He's intelligent and caring. He wants me to get a functional MRI (the kind that lights up). The waiting list is long, but I've come to terms with this.

Besides my brain issues, I've been so incredibly fatigued for so long that I can barely function. Pain is also a problem. I recently had pneumonia again, this past fall I got influenza even though I had the shot, and I have frequent sinus pain. I had a prednisone taper with the pneumonia which helped, but now at 15mg pred I can't tell that it works at all.

My rheumy ordered many blood tests and found that my IgG was low. He then ordered IgG subgroups and 3 out of 4 were low. I'm now scheduled to see one of the docs who runs an infusion center so I can get IV IG (gamma globulin) infusions. Rheumy says it's often given to lupies with low IgG and most lupies feel better very quickly. IgG works with complement, antigen-antibody reactions, and helps neutralize toxins and viruses. Unfortunately I can't start the infusions until January and I'm so tired of being so tired.

My previous rheumy never ordered IgG levels. I'm trying to be thankful that I have a new rheumy who works hard to find the source of every problem. Thanks for listening. Love, Butterflake

 

Hi Joy,

     I am so sorry that you are not feeling well.  It's interesting reading what you wrote because years ago (before I was even diagnosed), they had run an IGG on me and found that it was low, but no one ever said it was a big deal.  At that time I had fatigue that was debilitating and kept getting infections.  I also had bouts of bronchitis and eventually, pneumonia.  I wonder if other Lupus patients have ever experienced this.  I am sending you a warm, gentle hug, Joy.  Take care and do feel better.

Love,

Laura

Thank you Ladies. My rheumy said lupus is one of the few conditions approved for IV IG. The expected range for IgG (in the lab he uses) is 900 to 1600 and mine was 700. He said it's not common for lupies to run low, but when they do it's about 550. All I know is he said I should have more energy almost immediately. Thanks again. Love, Donna

Sorry your brain is still giving you issues. I know I've already told you that although my MRI's never found anything in my head, an all-day neuro-psych exam told me I was performing about 20 IQ points below normal.

It can get better from there -- I think my coping skills improved, my Lupus retreated some, and getting more B12 and other brain foods all helped. Then the Lupus became even less active and I feel about 90% of past-normal now.

I hope & pray you will find similar results soon. Hugs always.

Good luck on it helping you. :)

Good luck with the new treatment, Donna. You are worth it!

I'm sorry to hear that you've had respiratory issues for so long, you should have let us know.

Sending healing thoughts your way.

Hi Everyone. Thank you for your well wishes. I didn't sleep well Thursday night, just anxious. Yesterday, after the IV IG infusion I had some diarrhea, but I get that fairly often. I slept 12 hours last night and I thought it was because I didn't sleep well Thur, but 3 hours later I went right back to sleep. I'm tired now. I guess that so far, the IV IG makes me tired. I'm looking for energy soon. Love, Butterflake