Immune system comprised

[Vetrep]

So I am recently diagnosed PC. Question. I think, I will be starting treatment soon. With the covoid virus out and running hard, my immune system will be compromised, how long before dont worry about it. Will my immune system come back quickly. I can work from home if needed or physically can

[Magnus1964]

What kind of treatment are you looking at?

[Tall_Allen]

I'm confused. Why is your immune system compromised - have you been diagnosed with Covid-19?

[Shooter1]

Wouldn't normally be compromised.

[Vetrep]

No I am going to start treatment and the radiation treatments compromise the immune system. With covoid around I can catch it easier, just wondering how long before I can go back to work.

[timotur]

After HDR-Brachy and IMRT radiation, my ALC dropped from 1100's to 250, and it has recovered somewhat to 500 after six months, which is still below the min normal level of about 850. So I would consider I have a compromised immune system with low lymphocytes. On the other hand, ADT with T<20 may be protective according to a recent pub.

[CalBear74]

And Italian study published in a medical journal recently in Italy found in 2500 patients with prostate cancer who were on ADT drugs experienced a significantly lower rate of COVID-19. Only four men contracted COVID-19 and none of them died. Currently some American doctors are treating COVID-19 patients with ADT drugs to lessen the serious effects of the virus.

ADT has a paradoxical, protective effect on the immune system for any man exposed to COVID-19.

[treedown]

I had a sharp drop of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell associated with immunity) to 221 during radiation (normal range >850). My Dr took me off Zytiga and it came back up a little to 599 about 8 weeks later. I went back on Zytiga at a slightly lower dose and it dropped again. My most recent CBC has seen it come back up to 675. Other than some food somebody on this site suggested I have not done anything different so I suspect unless that food helped it is my body recovering from the radiation. My Dr. considers me immuno-supressed still. But as others have noted in relation to covid that may not be a issue. However, covid is not the only wolf in the woods, so I continue to act accordingly, i.e. reduce contact with people, shop at special times for high risk population, and only bike on back roads where nobody needs to be passed closely. It also stopped me from flying. Not a major problem far work as I work out of home.

[j-o-h-n]

Tell us more about yourself please: Age? Location? Type of Treatment? Treatment center(s)? Doctor's name(s)? All info is voluntary but it helps us help you and helps us too. Thank you!!!

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 06/10/2020 7:16 PM DST