First the good news! Yet again at my monthly consultant's clinic I learnt that my myeloma has remained undetectable - my immune system is still fighting the myeloma as if it was an infection. In many ways it is.
Not such good news: Last year I reported that I had reacted to an infusion of immunoglobulin. At the time it had been frightening and I was glad that the problem had been resolved by introducing pre-meds. Starting last month, I had been again prescribed 6 infusions each to be taken one month apart.
At the end of last month I attended for the first infusion only to be told that it had not been authorised. Immunoglobulin is apparently very expensive. A week later I was back and the treatment had now been authorised. Giving me confidence, I was first given pre-meds and having waited the required 30 minutes, the infusion commenced. After about 40 minutes I started to react (despite the pre-meds). This time I experienced chest pain which gradually spread down by torso and onto my upper legs. Not unreasonably the nurses had to assume that I was having a heart attack. I was thus subject to an ECG and the doctor was called. Until he was sure I was not having a heart attack, I was denied further medications. By now things seemed pretty bleak and included yet more rigor and being sick but the medications slowly brought things under control. By now my temperature had spiked and I had to wait the required 4 hours before I could receive paracetamol. All in all a very scary episode.
At this month's consultant's appointment I was encouraged to take up immunoglobulin again with the same brand which I had tolerated after last year's problem. Reluctantly I have agreed but making it clear that I will only try if the correct brand is available. I confess that I am far from happy but my poor immune system really does need it.
This was the brand of immunoglobulin that I tolerated last year - let's hope.
Always do what you are afraid to do
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Keep safe, keep well and very best wishes for Christmas and 2023.
Stephen
