Serum Sickness

[Fox_nc]

Yesterday I woke up with the worst pain in my knees and ankles.  I couldn't walk without crying, so I called my transplant team.  After waiting for the doc to get out of surgery they called and asked me if I had received a particular treatment after my first transplant.  It has a long name, and I had never heard of it.  Which means nothing, it was a long time ago, and I don't remember everything they did to me then.  They asked where I had my first transplant and called them to get my records.  Apparently the treatment they asked me about could be reacting with medication they gave me after this transplant.  They should get my records today and will know for sure if that's what's going on.  Here's my question ... for anyone who has had more than one transplant - have you every heard of this?  I'm in constant pain and can barely walk.  They said this is rare and only happens in patients with multiple transplants where the first transplant was more than 10 years ago.  It has something to do with the treatment being made of horse or rabbit serum.  I'm not too sure why it wasn't looked into BEFORE the transplant since they knew my first transplant was in 1995.  And if it's not serum sickness, what else could it be?  I have no swelling, just pain.  It's just in my knees and ankles.  It doesn't hurt more to touch them, but walking is incredibly painful.  Any advice?

[okarol]

The treatment is most likely intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) - used to decrease the titers of anti-HLA antibodies.
Hope they get you some relief soon! 

[angela515]

Sorry I never heard of it, I have ankle and knee pain also, but I have AVN, that's causing mine. I know how you feel though, you can't even stand up without crying.. I hope they at least give you some pain meds for while they wait for the papers and such...   

[okarol]

Foxy - haven't heard from you in awhile -- hope you are doing ok!