CLL - newly diagnosed

Posted by gerryk @gerryk, Sep 2, 2016

My doctor discovered smudge cells as a pre-cursor to CLL in Dec. 2015. This spring of 2016, my lyphmocyte count put over the 5000 threshold wherein I now have CLL. I am 68.

I am blessed that this is a CHRONIC versus an ACUTE cancer.

That said, I am aware that I will ultimately require some form of treatment.

It appears from the information that I have read that the forms of treatment are:

1. CHEMOTHERAPY;
2. IMBRUVICA (IMBRUTINIB)
3. IMMUNOTHERAPY

I am somewhat reluctant to consider chemotherapy.

I would be interested in hearing from CLL patients who have been exposed to EITHER IMBRUVICA or, IMMUNOTHERAPY........the success, failure, side effects etc.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

God bless you and surround you with a long healthy life to come; fellow CLL Member; I too was diagnosed with the chronic form nine years ago and never had to have treatment until 2016. Best of luck and my prayers are with you. I went with Chemo both times and the first four week treatment was with Rituxan and it was fine, last year, I had Rituxan and Bendamustine, The bendamustine was harsh; I had the shakes, ran a fever and had a few mouth sores but by October, it was winding down; Now, however I have no immune system and could use some help in regaining strength.

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I have a similar pattern of symptoms , frequent infections and enlarged lymph nodes and a doctor said I do have Hypogammaglobulinemia. I have suffer for many years and now developed Lymphomas. I knew my immune function was not well but never ever before any doctor suggested that term. I also have been diagnosed with Hashimoto disease and it causes me autoimmune attacks. I would like to know if this Hypogammagobulinemia coud has been caused by the thyroid disease. What doctors do we see for the Hypogammaglobulinemia and if anyone knows where to find a good doctor with that specialty.

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@JustinMcClanahan

@marthalewfinn918,

Hello Martha, Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made. You can read more about it here if you'd like, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/hematology/tab/resource-142/.

@marthalewfinn918, if you don't mind sharing, what sparks your interest in CLL?

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I was diagnosed with CLL/SLL and now with Hypogammaglobilinemia...Which doctor see for it and what would be the treatment for Hypogammaglobilinemia? Have anyone visited Mayo Clinic in Arizona?

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Hello, I have been diagnosed in 2016 with MBL and after a Lymph nodes biopsy in 2018 they said it is CLL/SLL . I dont have treatment yet but my doctor wants me to start Imbruvica 420 Mg due to symptoms and frequent inflammations. I learned that CLL could be stable but SLL could be manifesting more and not showing in labs as it is in my case. Doctors usually start treatment when symptoms begin causing more limitations, when patients lose weight or experience pain but I am finding out that drugs aren't any easier... I have talked to someone who had the treatment with Imbruvica and she did not tolerate the higher dose. Her doctor had to suspend the medication and treat her with something else for a while. Then he started her with Imbruvica again but 140 Mg which she tolerated better. Her CLL went under remission with the lower dose. She described her tattoos getting red and very sore,, and that she felt very ill with the higher dose. But no one is the same so other people could tolerate a higher dose. My doctor refuses to start me with a lower dose so I refused the drug. Protocols can be an obstacle ,I am very allergic and sensitive and I must be careful with drugs. I am hoping to buy time and see if the Mayo Clinic cancer vaccination gets approved. Seems that some patients under trials went under remission. I hope for better and safer treatments. Meanwhile I try to stay positive , I meditate every day, follow a healthy diet , avoid crowds during Flu season or avoid getting sick by taking precautions. I do wash my veggies well and I eat safe. I learned through other patients experiences. I focus in visualizing myself healthy... Praying for a cure and for safer treatments ! Blessings

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@katemn

@fonseca, do you have a first name .. makes it more personal! I can only speak from my own personal experience. My husband was diagnosed in I think 1995 or 96. Was working himself to death .. very stressful business owner .. getting 3-4 hours sleep a night. Was told he had Stage 4 CLL. So what did he do? Sold his business , divorced his wife of 36 not so good years, went on a long road trip by himself to re evaluate his life. Came home .. started working out .. eating in a more healthy manner .. lost weight .. took up golf and fishing .. re established old friendships.

When I met him a year and a half later .. I was not about to marry a man about to die so I met with his Oncologist .. was told he was back at Stage ONE!! That he would NOT die of CLL .. he would eventually die of an infection. Travel forward to 2014 .. we have a wonderful GOOD Oncologist (do your "due diligence and find a GOOD ONE!). My husband is now THIS MANY YEARS LATER .. now back at Stage 4 .. BUT there was a NEWLY approved Chemotherapy that our Oncologist said could be "potentially life changing" .. IMBRUVICA. My husband had tried a couple of other things SO when Imbruvica was approved .. my husband has now been on it since October 2014! As we have been told .. it is NOT a cure .. but is "life sustaining". He is doing wonderfully on Imbruvica .. some bruising so what the heck!

@fonseca, I have told you this long story .. Why .. because since I met my husband in 2000 .. we have had a WONDERFUL life .. have traveled all over the world .. had a glorious life! THAT is why I took the time to tell you our story! Our secret? DENIAL! Our attitude through all our health issues .. If it is NOT staring us in the face .. it does NOT exist .. we just go on with our lives and have fun! PLEASE .. you do the same! Life is what YOU decide to make it! Make it fun! Hugs to you both! Katherine and Richard

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Katherine, thank you. On Tuesday the 7th of September I will find out my bone marrow result. I know a treatment will probable be offered at that time. Imbruvica has already been mentioned once by my Nurse Practioner so your words gave me comfort. Thank you.

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@tinagibson

Katherine, thank you. On Tuesday the 7th of September I will find out my bone marrow result. I know a treatment will probable be offered at that time. Imbruvica has already been mentioned once by my Nurse Practioner so your words gave me comfort. Thank you.

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Hello @tinagibson. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Waiting is the worst, isn’t it? Today is Sept 5, so two more days until you know your biopsy results. Have you already been diagnosed with CLL and now just waiting to see the the level of the disease? Fortunately CLL is often very slow in developing and can be managed fairly well.

I’m happy to see you’ve discovered Connect and have been helped with some of the information you’ve found from other members who have gone through a similar situation. It really helps to “connect” with people who have walked the walk. That’s what this online forum is all about. Members coming together to offer support, assistance, encouragement and hope to each other.

Will you let me know what you find out with your biopsy?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352428
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@loribmt

Hello @tinagibson. Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Waiting is the worst, isn’t it? Today is Sept 5, so two more days until you know your biopsy results. Have you already been diagnosed with CLL and now just waiting to see the the level of the disease? Fortunately CLL is often very slow in developing and can be managed fairly well.

I’m happy to see you’ve discovered Connect and have been helped with some of the information you’ve found from other members who have gone through a similar situation. It really helps to “connect” with people who have walked the walk. That’s what this online forum is all about. Members coming together to offer support, assistance, encouragement and hope to each other.

Will you let me know what you find out with your biopsy?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352428

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I will. Thank you

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In reply to @tinagibson "I will. Thank you" + (show)
@tinagibson

I will. Thank you

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Wishing you only good news on your biopsy results today! Hugs. ☺️

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@loribmt

Wishing you only good news on your biopsy results today! Hugs. ☺️

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Silly me. It is tomorrow. Thanks

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@tinagibson

Silly me. It is tomorrow. Thanks

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LOL and here I was so proud of myself for actually remembering on time! Well, my wishes have no expiration date… Good luck tomorrow! ☺️

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