Question:
I had sinus surgery 8 months ago. Since then I have been on 5 courses of steriods and 8 courses of antibiotics for the 8 sinus infections I have had post surgery. As soon as I get off an antibiotic, within a few days, I get another infection. I also have been doing a nasal mist with three antibiotics (bethmethasone, tobramycin and mupirocin). I have become totally unresponsive to antibiotics. I am desperate and starting to loss hope. I am interested in IGG because I believe the problem is my immune system. Do you know of an resources in the DC area that could help me with this?
Answer:
Thanks for your question. There is a small group of people who have recurrent respiratory infections, in spite of treatment, because of a weaknesss in their immune system. This is not related to AIDS. Generally these people have a “partial immune deficiency”- that is their white blood cells do not fight certain bacteria well. This causes them to be more susceptible to infections. Infections caused by immune deficiency can be treated successfully by supplementing one’s own immune cells with immunoglobulins given intravenously.
The best way to see if that is your problem is to be tested for this. It certainly makes sense at this point to do so. This type of evaluation is usually done by an immunologist. (a subspecialty within Allergy-Immunology) I would ask your doctor, or your own allergist if you have one, who is best for this – Should that not be the case, immunoglobulins would not likely be of help. I would look to for other, untreated causes of your problems- either at the NY Sinus Center or nearer to home.
I hope this clears things up.
Robert Pincus MD
NY Sinus Center
