Lynne Doebber
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"Now, I know I won’t be a granny who just sits at home and knits."
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Condition: Primary Immunodeficiency
Therapy: Hizentra
®, (Immune Globulin Subcutaneous, 20% Liquid)
When Lynne Doebber was a child, friends and family characterized her as "sickly." Recurrent ear infections, strep throat and other illnesses forced her to miss school, work and the hobbies she enjoyed. Lynne frequently visited the family doctor and, at the age of 16, experienced a serious pneumonia that forced her to spend 3 months in bed and her lungs to scar. A few years later, Lynne underwent sinus surgery.
"After visiting so many doctors and looking for answers, I often felt like a hypochondriac," Lynne said. "But, I knew I was sick and something wasn’t right."
After three decades of constant illness, Lynne’s gastroenterologist suggested she see an immunologist, who diagnosed her with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). CVID is one of more than 150 primary immunodeficiency (PI) diseases. For the estimated 10 million people worldwide who are living with PI (also known as PID or PIDD), the immune system is either deficient or functioning inadequately, leaving them with greater susceptibility to infection. Genetic in nature, PI affects the cells, tissues and organs of the immune system.
"I was diagnosed on my birthday, and finally knowing what was wrong was a wonderful gift," she said.
Shortly after her diagnosis, Lynne began using immunoglobulin (Ig) therapy and felt a marked improvement in her symptoms. In July 2010, Lynne transitioned to an innovative, high concentration subcutaneous (i.e., under the skin) immunoglobulin (SCIg),
Hizentra
®, (Immune Globulin Subcutaneous, 20% Liquid). Hizentra, manufactured by
CSL Behring, is the first and only 20 percent SCIg approved in the US and Europe. In the US, Hizentra is indicated for the treatment of patients with primary humoral immunodeficiency. Hizentra is stabilized with proline, a naturally occurring amino acid, which allows the product to be stored at room temperature (up to 25°C [77°F]) throughout its entire 30-month shelf life.
"Because Hizentra does not need to be refrigerated, I no longer have to schedule my life around treatment," Lynne said. "Since making the transition to Hizentra, I like the convenience of being able to self-infuse my therapy in any appropriate setting that fits my needs."
Now that Lynne’s schedule isn’t dictated by planning her immunoglobulin treatment, she is able to fill her retirement life with a part-time job she enjoys. Lynne also likes to spend her time gardening, hiking with her husband, and taking lifelong learning classes.
Passionate about helping others who are living with PI, Lynne also serves as a peer advocate for CSL Behring’s Voice2VoiceSM program. In this role, she helps people newly diagnosed with PI navigate through difficult times by sharing her story and answering questions.
After enduring a long journey to diagnosis, Lynne is excited for her future. Her daughter was recently married and now that her condition is being managed with Hizentra, Lynne is confident that she will be able to enjoy memorable times with her family and future grandchildren.
"Now, I know I won’t be a granny who just sits at home and knits," Lynne said.
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Contact for Personal Stories:
Greg Healy
Senior Manager, Communications & Public Relations
Commercial Operations
610-878-4841
greg.healy@cslbehring.com