IgE levels while Xolair are essentially irrelevant

[Guest guest]

My IgE prior to Xolair was 334. Some of that aggravated my asthma,

some of it produced my eosinophilic esophagitis, and some of the IgE

was just part of my baseline and completely benign. I have

fluctuated from 220 to 544. The issue is that even on Xolair we will

all continue to produce IgE in some quantity due to our flawed

allergic immune systems. How much IgE is free IgE is all the is

relevant, but it is difficult to test for free IgE on Xolair. My doc

still insists she doesn't know of a lab that does it. But, why would

one anyway? The goal of Xolair was not to reduce the production of

free IgE, but to bind as much of it as possible into an innocuous

state. IgE in all of us will always be in flux depending on our

exposures. But, there will be times when you will produce more IgE

than your baseline, and Xolair can't effectively bind it all. The

goal is to minimize your reactions during those times.

One thing I have read on studies of people who come off of Xolair,

is that the rebound isn't as severe as being on corticosteroids. In

most patients that came off of Xolair, their IgE levels stayed

fairly low for a year after being off the drug.

Honestly, I would love to come off of Xolair....which might

surprise some people. It is an amazingly incovenient drug. A.) it

will become expensive for me at some point in time. I am lucky now

that it part of my co-pay, but the insurance companies are looking

for ways not to pay for this drug. B.) I feel like I am anchored to

my home. I still travel overseas a lot, and on Xolair, it is

virtually impossible to find any doctor that will let you travel

with it....but, if I want to mountainclimb again, forget it. Can't

refrigerate the stuff when you are in the Himalaya.

>

>

>

> > From: Karin Melvin <nnmfamrochester (DOT) rr.com>

>

> > Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Question - Has anyone had a

stroke while on Xolair?

>

> >

>

> > Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009, 12:51 PM

>

> > I am sad to say I want to be removed from this group. I

>

> > thought it was for support for people on xolair. I was put

>

> > down when I had a severe reaction and have seen anyone else

>

> > with any troubles put down. I am off to go start group where

>

> > people can ask anything and get support. By the way Adah how

>

> > much money are you getting from Genetic to push xolair?

>

> > ----- Original Message -----

>

> > From: Derybj

>

> >

>

> > Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 6:22 PM

>

> > Subject: [ ] Re: Question - Has anyone had a

>

> > stroke while on Xolair?

>

> >

>

> >

>

> > Addy:

>

> >

>

> > I understand that steroids has many side effects, but for

>

> > the last 4 yrs. I have not taken steroids for my asthma.

>

> >

>

> > Since I started Xolair, I have had a wonderful response

>

> > to the medication after 6 weeks of injections. I receive

>

> > injections every two weeks because of my high IGE.

>

> >

>

> > I called Genetech and spoke to the medical department as

>

> > well as Novartis concerning my concern with the possibiity

>

> > of strokes being caused by Xolair.

>

> >

>

> > They, of course, said that there is nothing published

>

> > regarding this specific side effect. That i

>

>

>

>

>