My primary diagnosis is Primary Immune Deficiency Disease (PIDD) and the more specific diagnosis is Specific Antibody Disorder (SAD) – I don
‘t make enough good quality IgA, the subclass antibody that, among other things, protects my mucus membranes. I was diagnosed in march 2012. According to the Mayo Clinic, primary immunodeficiency disorders — also called primary immune disorders or primary immunodeficiency — weaken the immune system, allowing repeated infections and other health problems to occur more easily.
For the most part, we are born with or without these immunities but there is usually an environmental trigger that “flips the switch” to become symptomatic. Folks with compromised immunity have all kinds of problems and the longer it goes on without treatment, the tougher it can be on the body. For me, those other problems are an autoimmune condition of the called Bechets, IBS and myofacial pain issues. My symptoms often happen in patterns and groups called “flares” and they include recurrent and longer lasting infections, open sores primarily in my mouth and throat but can affect all membranes, headaches and head/neck pain, GI issues, joint pain and neuropathy. I experience significant fatigue and require a good deal of extra rest to perform normal functions.
