Inhbitors
Having an inhibitor means that your body starts to think your treatment is something bad for it. This means your treatment does not work properly any more, as your body tries to destroy it.
Inhibitors seem to be increasing at the moment. Most people who develop them are small children, but it can happen at any age. Most people manage to get rid of them, but for some people it can take years.
What does it mean?
It means that as your treatment doesn't work properly, you have to be more careful about getting bleeds. It might restrict what sports you can do. Sometimes you may find using a wheelchair or crutches gives your joints a rest. An inhibitor can make daily life more complicated, such as going to school or on holiday.
Can it be treated?
There are various options for trying to treat an inhibitor. One is called Immune Tolerance Therapy, which means giving your body large daily doses of your original treatment to see if your body gets used to it.
Another is to try a different product, such as one made from human plasma.
For information why not look at the site of the Haemophilia Society's Inhibitor Support Group?
