5 ms·

> Maybe we will get yearly shots to strengthen our immune system from [all kinds of infectious pathogens] I already do. I have to self-administer subcutaneous

> Maybe we will get yearly shots to strengthen our immune system from [all kinds of infectious pathogens] I already do. I have to self-administer subcutaneous immunoglobulin twice per week due to having a rare immune mediated disease affecting my peripheral nervous system. Subcutaneous inmunoglobulin is a blood product, which is administered under the skin, which contains antibodies from tens of thousands of paid donors, as required by law for the each batch. I have not gotten a cold in about 5 years because of it. It also helps me recover from illnesses (for example food poisoning this year) quicker. However, the antibodies being infused does not train my immune system to produce them (applies to everyone) as the memory effect from the administration does not exist.

bserge 5y ago
That sounds interesting. Where do you get the immunoglobulin?
- disabled 5y ago
  Through health insurance. It’s a medicine approved by government agencies (FDA, EU Medicines Agency, SwissMedic, etc.). It’s administered the same way as an insulin pump. The only big difference is that a much larger volume is being infused.
  - bserge 5y ago
    Ah, prescription only. Nevermind then.
echelon 5y ago
How do they prevent self-reaction, given that the foreign Ig isn't subject to negative selection in the thymus? Do they intensively monitor you for rashes, inflammation, etc.? Could it ever be life threatening? I suppose the fact that you aren't getting immune cells makes it so any self-reaction wouldn't grow and spread via adaptive immune amplification / proliferation and become a new autoimmune disorder. So at least there's that.
- disabled 5y ago
  Subcutaneous immunoglobulin greatly reduces reactions compared to intravenous. Either way, you are given prescriptions for acetaminophen/paracetamol and Benedryl. I don’t take them at all, nor am I required to. I also have to keep an Epi-Pen on hand while infusing, but this is a rare side effect and especially so for subcutaneous. At first, I had mild rashes, but now as my body has gotten used to it, it’s meager lumps from the infusions which disperse over a couple of days. But, I really have no side effects from the infusions whatsoever.

bserge 5y ago

That sounds interesting. Where do you get the immunoglobulin?

disabled 5y ago
Through health insurance. It’s a medicine approved by government agencies (FDA, EU Medicines Agency, SwissMedic, etc.). It’s administered the same way as an insulin pump. The only big difference is that a much larger volume is being infused.
- bserge 5y ago
  Ah, prescription only. Nevermind then.

echelon 5y ago

How do they prevent self-reaction, given that the foreign Ig isn't subject to negative selection in the thymus? Do they intensively monitor you for rashes, inflammation, etc.? Could it ever be life threatening? I suppose the fact that you aren't getting immune cells makes it so any self-reaction wouldn't grow and spread via adaptive immune amplification / proliferation and become a new autoimmune disorder. So at least there's that.

disabled 5y ago
Subcutaneous immunoglobulin greatly reduces reactions compared to intravenous. Either way, you are given prescriptions for acetaminophen/paracetamol and Benedryl. I don’t take them at all, nor am I required to. I also have to keep an Epi-Pen on hand while infusing, but this is a rare side effect and especially so for subcutaneous. At first, I had mild rashes, but now as my body has gotten used to it, it’s meager lumps from the infusions which disperse over a couple of days. But, I really have no side effects from the infusions whatsoever.