Originally Posted by ElaineD

I see a clinical immunologist. She teaches, does research in immunology and see patients, preferably those with the conditions related to her research. She is connected with Duke University Medical Center.

If you are having any autoimmune/immune related events, you are experiencing inflammation. Inflammation causes: profound fatigue, pain and depression.

If you have SFN you are living in a cage of pain in your own skin.

There are medications for pain, for depression (Cymbalta is on label for both), unfortunately nothing really good for fatigue, unless you are put on one of the drugs to suppress your immune system (Plaquenil, methotrexate, one of the newer biologicals).

I have an Immune Deficiency which is treated with IVIG every four weeks.
Before I started infusions of IgG , My IgG was 328 (scale:588-1573) my IgA was 106 (46-287) IgM 18 (57-237). My IgG subclasses were all very low.

My IgA is normal, so I don't have problems with my gut most of the time.

It can be very difficult living with Immune/Autoimmune Disorders. I spent years and years in misery, as one system after another was attacked. I sought out the best possible doctors and we even relocated to this area because there are two medical centers within 20 miles of our house.

I am currently experiencing seizures, probably as a result of my Immune System attacking my nerves. So I will be seeing an epileptologist on January 30.

The key to surviving these experiences is finding others to share with, knowing that it's not your fault and you aren't crazy, finding a good medical team to support you, advocating for yourself strongly, and finding the medical and non medical treatments to alleviate your pain and suffering at the very least.

Keep us posted on your progress Sophie.

Hugs, Elaine D