Need Your Help--

[irish]

really, Does it really make a difference if you do or don't get a sjogrens diagnosis? You may well have both the low IgG4 issue plus sjogrens. The IgG isn't going to cover everything that you complain about anymore than the sjogrens is.

We all tend to blame everything on the sjogrens and sometimes it may be something else. One thing is for sure, when we have an inflammatory reaction going on in our body the white blood cells tend to congregate in that area. This is true of sjogrens as well.

I tend to think that some of our sjoggie mucus issues can be dryness at times alternating with this darn thick mucus that comes when all those white cells congregate and cause trouble. Remember that when we have a cut or something and the white cells come to the cut to help heal the area we get swelling and redness and often an amount of yellowish white drainage. That drainage is part of the healing process.

Well, we aren't trying to heal but out white blood cells are all heading for our organs and systems and trying to kill them off like they are an invader bacteria in a cut. Thus the swelling of our tissues and the increase in the drainage. Our body knows how to attack to kill invaders, it isjust trying to attack us thinking we are an invader as we sit innocently by twiddling out thumbs.

The IgG4 is a small part of the white cell that has the job of protecting certain tissues and if these cells get too low we can get more infections. My hubby has low IgG 1,2 and 4 and gets infections all the time in his sinuses and lungs. He is now on prophylactic antibiotics 3 times a week ongoing.

He has been having infections a lot for many years and the past 4 years it has been much worse. We were totally surprised when he got this diagnosis. I have low t-cells and he has the low IgG levels. One of is on an antibiotic at any given time pretty much. Hope you can get this straightened out.

If oral meds don't help the low IgG levels then IVIG can be used. I would think that IVIG can also be used for your neuropathy also. Also, hasn't anybody mentioned Go-Lytely to you??? This is a product that can clean your bowels out with less cramping and agony.

It needs a prescription and can be taken in small amounts *you mix the powder with water and drink it) every third day or so and it literally "washes" the colon out. I am amazed that the docs are not treating your bowels in this way. There are many people in long term care facilities who have neuropathy and bowel problems and this is what is used.

It works well. You have to hang around home and the bathroom on that day, but it doesn't make a person as sick. This is the same product that is given by many radiology departments as a prep for a colonoscopy. People who have neuropathy are always on medications and some of them increase the constipation and this product works very well.

I have used it 2 different times as has my hubby and when you have a colonoscopy you have to mix up a gallon, drink the first 2 quarts in the evening 8 ounces every 15 minutes and the in the morning drink the other 2 quarts. You just take a book, a glass and a 2 quart pitcher of Golytely to the bathroom and sit on the toilet and drink and let it do its' thing. It is a wash---not a laxative.

Please ask your docs about this ASAP. Irish

[sunnybunny]

there is another product for bowel cleansing that comes to mind
I had to use it for a bowel prep once, and because i cant consume large amounts
of liquid in a short period of time, my doctor had me take it
(check with your doctor first of course)

sodium phosphate in a 1.5 oz bottle
(CVS carries it for sure) as well as walgreens and other drug stores
by brand, i believe Fleets makes it as well
it is only 1.5 oz,flavored wich helps, and under 5 dollars
its basically sodium phosphate and glycerin combination, and you drink it.
toss it down in 2 shots (gulps not a straw), mixing it into other stuff only prolongs the yuck.lol

its not so much 'grossness' to have to choke down.lol u get it over with faster!
still tastes salty as all heck, but this was better than some other things out there
given your doctor says its ok for you specifically

i didnt experience the cramping and bloating that other things like bisacodyl tabs can give you.

worked well for me, but check with your doctor :-)

[Calli66]

You have to be careful with these bowel cleansers, especially the Fleets type because it can cause you to be dehydrated and upset your electrolyte balance.

I don't have severe gastrointestinal problems, so 400 mg of Magnesium Glycinate a day keeps me comfortably regular. Wish I'd known about it 20 years ago.

Calli

[sunnybunny]

absolutley have to be careful with these things-always ask the doc first

[jazzlover]

You have to be careful with these bowel cleansers, especially the Fleets type because it can cause you to be dehydrated and upset your electrolyte balance.

-
Very dangerous if you have A-fib or other heart problems. I had a bad experience.

[jazzlover]

lizbeth... I'm sorry you had a bad experience!! Where are you on this now? what is your game plan?