Before I was diagnosed with IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in 2015, information about the symptoms was virtually nonexistent. I remember searching online for “intermittent chronic eyelid swelling” and finding very little. At one point, I came across only a handful of TikTok videos, and even those weren’t very helpful or…
Learning, Living, Thriving
-Katrice Lee
Katrice was born and raised in Hawaii. She obtained a master’s degree in human resources from the University of Southern California and spent 30 years working in high-tech as a human resources executive before retiring and moving back to Hawaii in 2026. Though she has had symptoms since the 1990’s, Katrice was officially diagnosed with IgG4-RD in 2015.
My first symptoms of immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) appeared around 1990 as intermittent eyelid swelling. At the time, I assumed it was an allergy, because the symptoms began the same day my boyfriend and I brought home a rescued cat. Initially, the swelling happened for about two weeks every…
Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with Rituxan (rituximab) and Uplizna (inebilizumab). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. I have immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) that presents in the orbits. I had eyelid swelling from 1990…
Although I’ve probably had immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) for over 30 years, I was officially diagnosed about 10 years ago. Despite this, until recently, I’d never told anyone about it apart from medical professionals. I’d always be vague about what was ailing me, brushing it off when anyone asked.
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