Sophie, adding to what en bloc wrote:

CVID is an acronym for Common Variable Immune Deficiency. It is a somewhat confusing label; it is not common, affecting about 1 person in 25000.

The usual presenting features of CVID are recurrent infections involving the ears, nasal sinuses, bronchi and lungs.

This is something that it might be worth talking about with your GP and a clinical immunologist.

Don't be afraid to push on these doctors a little bit and get the testing you need that could lead to new treatment options.

I just had my LLMDs order the whole immunoglobulin profile through LabCorp, since I basically get all testing for free now because of my job. It's a long shot and I wish I would have done this when I was at the worst phase of my illness. If my tests come back low, then they are going to send me to an immunologist that they recommend who can do the vaccine challenge. Again, it's pretty much a long shot.

I did not know there was a difference between immunologist and rheumatologist so this is very interesting to me and will research further. I am also curious about the "vaccine challenge" and "vaccine testing". What is this in reference to?
Thanks and keep digging and fighting everyone.

The immunologist will do what is called a vaccine challenge. They give you a pneumococcal vaccine (sometimes a few other ones as well) and take bloodwork to see if your body is mounting an appropriate immune response. Many insurance companies will not approve IVIG without the vaccine challenge, but it depends on the insurance company.

http://primaryimmune.org/about-prima...ss-deficiency/

I am learning to push!!! I have a hx of Lyme Disease.. I was symptomatic for almost a year until I was finally dx'd. I was on abx for 19 mos until I went into remission., I hope you are improving as LD is a tough one if you are not dx'd early

I will do this. i have had a long history of sinus infections. the last sinus infection I had was last September which did not clear up until February. I lost my sense of smell for months...I usually get them starting in October, however since I Have not been at work since October and home much of the time I have not had any problems...Thank you again..