Hello all, I have MCL, in remission and on maintenance every other month. I had a BMT in December of 2023. Still have not recovered fully from that. All my counts (RBC, WBC and platelets) are still abnormal. Last two blood tests show RBC fragments and RBC bite cells. Anyone else seen this?
Good morning. I had peripheral stem cell transplant for leukemia 11 years ago, so my situation is a bit different than yours. Regarding recovery from this life-saving treatment, time is the key. Many patients need a year or more to fully find their new normal baseline. Exercise, healthy nutrition, good quality sleep, and support for your spirit are the elements that will help you recover. Be patient with yourself, celebrate the journey, and know the survivor community supports you.
Best regards,
Katie
Hello all, I have MCL, in remission and on maintenance every other month. I had a BMT in December of 2023. Still have not recovered fully from that. All my counts (RBC, WBC and platelets) are still abnormal. Last two blood tests show RBC fragments and RBC bite cells. Anyone else seen this?
Hi @ffb1234 Welcome to Connect….and congratulations on your bone marrow transplant. I know from experience that’s not a walk on the beach. But it is our gift of a second chance at life. I hope you’re doing well.
A few years ago I started a couple of discussions for BMT members to share their stories. I hope you’ll consider letting us learn a little more about you too.
~My bone marrow transplant story. Will you share yours? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/
~Snapshots of Hope. Life on the other side of transplant: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/snapshots-of-hope-life-on-the-other-side-of-transplant/
I just CELLebrated my 5th re-birthday June 28th. I was 65 at the time, now 70 and feeling fabulous! The first year is definitely the most challenging so hang in there, life gets better! Blood work can be wonky and fluctuate for months. Throughout the past 5 years, regular blood work would be perfect for months then there’d be an inexplicably weird set of numbers but followup would show they all evened out again.
What is your doctor saying about the RBC fragments and bite cells?
What maintenance meds are you taking?
Hello all, I have MCL, in remission and on maintenance every other month. I had a BMT in December of 2023. Still have not recovered fully from that. All my counts (RBC, WBC and platelets) are still abnormal. Last two blood tests show RBC fragments and RBC bite cells. Anyone else seen this?
Hello @roberthall0452, welcome to Connect. I would like to introduce you to another new member, @harvie, who also recently posted about being diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. @roberthall0452, if you are comfortable sharing a bit more, how are you doing with this diagnosis? Has there been any discussion of a treatment plan?
Thank you for your response, he sees his dr. today. He feels terrible. I hope he feels better soon! He is so tired and seems to breath heavy. God I want him to feel better.
Thank you for your response, he sees his dr. today. He feels terrible. I hope he feels better soon! He is so tired and seems to breath heavy. God I want him to feel better.
Good morning, @arbutus. Oh, good old Rituxan! Quite a few of us members have had Rituxan (rituximab) infusions, including myself.
It’s highly effective and doesn’t generally cause many side effects. Occasionally there can be a reaction within the first hour or two while being administered but that’s handled quickly by the infusion nurses.
You mentioned your husband is experiencing exhaustion and low blood pressure after his infusions. Both are potential side effects from the medication. If your husband is already taking medication for HBP then you should consult his doctor about altering his dosage for a while.
I found a good article for you from Chemo.com which talks about Rituxan, how it works, side effects and such.
His energy should pick up again soon. When is his next infusion?
Hi @arbutus, while we’re waiting for other members to reply about their experiences with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, could you tell me what infusions your husband received?
There are several possible treatments so it might be helpful to know the name to see if others had the same medication.
It’s not unusual after chemo infusions for blood numbers to drop along with the cancer cells. Those treatments often target fast growing cells. Unfortunately they don’t differentiate and so blood cells, along with cancer cells involved. The effects are usually felt around 7-10 days after treatment with fatigue and weakness. Once the blood numbers start regenerating, especially the white blood cells, then he should feel a little perkier.
I hope he gets good news at the oncologist tomorrow! Will you let me know please?
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I was just diagnosed with MCL on 12/14/24.
Good morning. I had peripheral stem cell transplant for leukemia 11 years ago, so my situation is a bit different than yours. Regarding recovery from this life-saving treatment, time is the key. Many patients need a year or more to fully find their new normal baseline. Exercise, healthy nutrition, good quality sleep, and support for your spirit are the elements that will help you recover. Be patient with yourself, celebrate the journey, and know the survivor community supports you.
Best regards,
Katie
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Hug
5 ReactionsHi @ffb1234 Welcome to Connect….and congratulations on your bone marrow transplant. I know from experience that’s not a walk on the beach. But it is our gift of a second chance at life. I hope you’re doing well.
A few years ago I started a couple of discussions for BMT members to share their stories. I hope you’ll consider letting us learn a little more about you too.
~My bone marrow transplant story. Will you share yours?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/my-bone-marrow-transplant-bmt-story-will-you-share-yours/
~Snapshots of Hope. Life on the other side of transplant:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/snapshots-of-hope-life-on-the-other-side-of-transplant/
I just CELLebrated my 5th re-birthday June 28th. I was 65 at the time, now 70 and feeling fabulous! The first year is definitely the most challenging so hang in there, life gets better! Blood work can be wonky and fluctuate for months. Throughout the past 5 years, regular blood work would be perfect for months then there’d be an inexplicably weird set of numbers but followup would show they all evened out again.
What is your doctor saying about the RBC fragments and bite cells?
What maintenance meds are you taking?
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHello all, I have MCL, in remission and on maintenance every other month. I had a BMT in December of 2023. Still have not recovered fully from that. All my counts (RBC, WBC and platelets) are still abnormal. Last two blood tests show RBC fragments and RBC bite cells. Anyone else seen this?
@angelu94, what type of chemo are you getting? How are you doing?
I am doing good and feel good I am starting Chemotherapy next week.
How is your husband doing, @arbutus? How are you doing?
Thank you for your response, he sees his dr. today. He feels terrible. I hope he feels better soon! He is so tired and seems to breath heavy. God I want him to feel better.
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Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionGood morning, @arbutus. Oh, good old Rituxan! Quite a few of us members have had Rituxan (rituximab) infusions, including myself.
It’s highly effective and doesn’t generally cause many side effects. Occasionally there can be a reaction within the first hour or two while being administered but that’s handled quickly by the infusion nurses.
You mentioned your husband is experiencing exhaustion and low blood pressure after his infusions. Both are potential side effects from the medication. If your husband is already taking medication for HBP then you should consult his doctor about altering his dosage for a while.
I found a good article for you from Chemo.com which talks about Rituxan, how it works, side effects and such.
His energy should pick up again soon. When is his next infusion?
Thank you so much for your response, the name of the infusion was rituxan and was given about a week ago.