Thursday, January 17, 2013

Treating the BK virus with immunoglobulins

Well, the Cidofovir didn't seem to do the trick.  I still haven't heard how the last viral load test for the BK virus came out.  But, since I've been moved on to plan B, I assume not so good.

my lovely picc line
The new treatment is to have immunoglobulins administered through my picc line.  The immunoglobulins are antibodies to the BK virus that are somehow manufactured.  They are not directly from people.  I asked about this because if it was from people, I would have to worry about receiving more antibodies.

The treatment will consist of five weeks, one day a week of infusions.  The infusions should last just a few hours.  I just had the first session and did fine.  My blood pressure was increased for part of it, but seems to have come back down.

Here is a paper that looks at several typed of treatment for the BK virus.  I'm on my third try.  I've reduced my immunosuppression, tried Cidofovir, and am now trying the immunogobulin treatment.  I do have to wonder why this is plan B behind the toxic treatments of Cidofovir.  I'm assuming its stats aren't as good.  Hopefully, my experience will raise those statistics some.

Besides all of this, I've caught a cold.  I've had it for about 10 days now.  Its an upper respiratory infection and is holding on strong.  I went to my GP when it first started.  At that time, I had a bad case of laryngitis.  He says the laryngitis means that it is most likely viral and will just have to run its course.

My blood sugars are still good.  I'm using about 17 units of insulin/day.

We had a very nice trip to San Diego to see the kids and have our belated White Christmas.  The weather was unbelievably cold, but we had a good time visiting with the kids and dogs.   

1 comment:

Scott K. Johnson said...

Hang in there, Kathy!

Hope you're feeling better now, and that cold has moved on along.