Advise needed, please.

[teb0513]

Hello to all,

Last month, I ended up in the hospital for 2.5 days due to an undetected UTI infection that turned into sepsis. Since then, I have not been able to get my stamina back. I had my blood drawn by my internist and he advised my platelets are low - 220 to be exact. My oncologist is concerned but wants to wait until my appointment in early January. Any suggestions on how I can combat the exhaustion/lethargic symptoms? I'm so over this crap!

Teb

[Cllcanada Top Poster CURE Hero]

Might ask your GP for a B12/folate test... platelets have no effect on fatigue or stamina, but RBC and hemoglobin levels could...

Also have your immunoglobulin levels checked...

~chris

[teb0513 in reply to Cllcanada]

Thanks, Chris.

[Foggymind]

Sorry to hear about your sepsis and stay in hospital. I had both Sepsis and neutropenic Sepsis a few years ago and can understand why you still have no stamina. It took me at least two months to recover from the sepsis and even longer after the neutropenic Sepsis. CLL is well known for its fatigue symptoms, coupled with your sepsis it is not surprising you still feel under the weather as it were. Your platelets count doesn't sound too bad me, the normal is between 150-450 so 220 sits at the lower end of the normal band. Suggestions for combating the exhaustion are difficult sometimes, we all react differently to this illness. What worked for me and still does is walking. If you feel up to it start with shorter walks and build up on the length depending on how you feel. There is also the possibility that none of the fatigue you are experiencing is down to the CLL or sepsis, this would be something to discuss with you doctor.

Kevin - Essex, UK

[teb0513 in reply to Foggymind]

Thanks, Kevin.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Add vitamin D and exercise to Chris's list. That's what helped me after I was seriously ill for a few months and lost my physical stamina. It was a very slow progress - improvements only obvious over monthly time frames and I had to quite gradually increase the amount of exercise each day or I went backwards. Listen to your body and rest when you need to - don't fight it.

Neil

[teb0513 in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks, Neil. Have been trying to get back to my routine of the gym and walking, but it seems so slow! My expectations are a bit too high, I guess. I'll persevere and listen to the body-which is not an easy task. 😞