(BPT) - Karla has always found solace in the outdoors. Growing up on a large cattle ranch, she spent her days surrounded by wide-open fields, tending to animals and doing farm chores with her sister. But unlike her sister, Karla often found herself sidelined by illness. As a young child she frequently battled colds, flu and pneumonia. "Some family members started labeling me as 'lazy' which made me feel isolated and alone," she recalls. As she grew older, her health challenges intensified, affecting not only school, but also work and her relationships.
A Long Road to Answers
By adulthood, Karla's struggles became impossible to ignore. "By my 20s, it felt like I was getting sick more often, and it was hard to explain because people in my life couldn't believe that anyone could be this sick."
After years of doctor visits and treatments for recurring infections, the turning point came when Karla's daughter, Sadie, was referred to an immunologist after exhibiting similar symptoms as a baby. "I found an immunologist who not only helped Sadie but also acknowledged my medical history and tested my immune system to understand what was going on with me," she recalls. "The doctor made me feel incredibly validated."
When the immunologist reviewed the comprehensive immune panel results, she said, "Oh my goodness, Karla. It's not that you have problems with your immune system. It's that your immune system is hardly there." The bloodwork revealed Karla had specific antibody deficiency (SAD), a form of primary immunodeficiency (PI). PI is an umbrella term used to describe a group of ~550 disorders that weaken the immune system, making it harder to fight infections.
Finding a Treatment That Fits
The immunologist recommended that Karla start a type of treatment called immunoglobulin (IG) therapy to help give her body the antibodies it needed to protect itself against infection. Initially, she wasn't sick as often, but she did get sick in between infusions. That's when her doctor suggested treatment adjustments—including increasing her doses and an alternative IG treatment that allowed for more frequent infusions—to find the right treatment for her.
Living in a Remote Area: A Consideration for Treatment
Living in a rural area of Wyoming meant long travel times to in-office infusion appointments for Karla. She had to consider logistics, flexibility and convenience when discussing treatment options with her doctor. After discussing her options with her specialist, she was introduced to CUVITRU® [Immune Globulin Subcutaneous (Human)] 20%, a medicine approved for PI in patients two years and older.
What is CUVITRU?
CUVITRU is a ready-to-use liquid medicine that is given under the skin (subcutaneously) to treat primary immunodeficiency (PI) in people 2 years and older.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Please continue reading for additional Important Safety Information.
Karla's doctor explained that after proper training from a health care professional such as a nurse, Karla could self-administer CUVITRU, eliminating the need for her to make frequent trips to an infusion clinic. "Since I live in such a rural area, being able to administer treatment at home felt like a more manageable option for my individual needs."
Embracing a New Routine
At first Karla wasn't sure what to expect, but over time she developed a routine that worked for her. "Infusion days at home became something to look forward to. Sadie and I make these our special nights, complete with movies and our favorite snacks. Instead of feeling like another chore, infusion days have become moments of connection and self-care."
With her treatment plan in place, Karla feels like she has more control over her health. She continues to take precautions—like minimizing unnecessary germ exposure and staying in touch with her health care providers.
Most importantly, Karla wants others with PI to know they are not alone. "If you take one thing away from my story, I want it to be this: You are in control of your life—PI is not. Be empowered to advocate for yourself and your health."
Individual experiences with PI may vary. Always consult your health care provider for medical advice or services.
To learn more about CUVITRU, visit https://www.cuvitru.com.
This content was provided by Takeda. Karla has been compensated by Takeda for sharing her story.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION (Continued)
What should I avoid while taking CUVITRU?
What are the possible or reasonably likely side effects of CUVITRU?
CUVITRU can cause serious side effects. If any of the following problems occur after starting CUVITRU, stop the infusion immediately and contact your HCP or call emergency services:
The following one or more possible side effects may occur at the site of infusion. These generally go away within a few hours, and are less likely after the first few infusions.
The most common side effects that may occur are:
These are not all the possible side effects. Talk to your HCP about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
For additional safety information, click for Information For Patients and discuss with your HCP.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
©2025 Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A., Inc. 500 Kendall Street, Cambridge, MA 02142. 1-877-TAKEDA-7 (1-877-825-3327). All rights reserved. Takeda and the Takeda Logo are registered trademarks of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited. CUVITRU is a registered trademark of Baxalta Incorporated. US-CUV-0849v1.0 04/25
