Yes, cold agglutinin disease (CAD) is a rare blood disease. Only one in a million people every year are diagnosed with it. (I should buy a lottery ticket.) Cold agglutinin disease, or CAD, is a rare autoimmune disorder in which self-targeting antibodies attack and destroy red blood cells at low temperatures.
It is often misdiagnosed. In my case, I began showing symptoms around the 2000s. It wasn’t until 2018, after having been treated for several symptoms, mostly stomach illnesses, breathing difficulties, and kidney infections. These are all challenges caused by the lack of red blood cells. The organs involved weren’t getting sufficient nutrients and oxygen. That is way these adjunct problems developed.
In 2018, during a health crisis, a doctor recognized my symptoms and got me in with a hematology oncologist. The new doctor immediately transfused me as my hemoglobin was around 6. Then, he ordered my first set of 4 Rituxan infusions.
It was only 4 weeks later that my CAD came under control. My last round of infusions was two years ago. I am currently in the US, having had my annual check-up with that hematologist. He pronounced me good to go. Lord willing, I’ll see him next June for another blood analysis.
This last paragraph gives away the ending of my next weekly column to be published on this coming Monday. You can read it after 9 AM central time at https://coldagglutininnews.com. For more information about CAD, read https://coldagglutininnews.com/what-is-cold-agglutinin-disease/, What Is CAD?