I am a 52 year old male with CLL. I have not started treatment as of yet, but was told I probably will within the next year.
I was just wondering if anyone here was having issues with legs and/or hands cramping? I also have quite a bit of bruising going on the days. My white blood count is at 182,000.
Hi mejiae, is it possible you have a decreased platelet level known as thrombocytopenia and not unusual in CLL. A normal human platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets per microliter of blood. Reduced levels can result in bruising and bleeding so needs a discussion with your doctor.
Is your spleen enlarged as platelets can essentially clog there? Has your specialist discussed any of these issues with you during your consults?
In terms of cramping, I suffer badly with this in my legs and feet. I've just had my magnesium and Vit D levels checked and found to be deficient which may be one of the reasons for the cramp. I sympathise, it's very painful and there's suggestions it may be associated with a swollen spleen.
I'd discuss these issues with your specialist.
Best wishes,
Newdawn
Hi mejiae
Cramping is very common problem in CLL. You might read on the internet about the uses of quinine or tonic water...however they can cause platelet problems and since you may have low plates causing bleeding under the skin, you certainly don't want to make the situation worse.
Your WBC is not a reason in and of itself to start treatment, however you should discusses the brusing with your doctors fairly soon...
~chris
In my case it seems that I lacked salt in my diet. I rarely add salt when cooking etc so now I eat half an individual pack of salted crisps per day and that does the job. ☺ If I forget for any reason for a couple of days back comes the cramp.
Might be worth testing for a week or so?
I too am on W & W since diagnosis in 2013 at the age of 63. I suffer regular hand, leg, shin and calf as well as foot cramps, mostly at night, as does one of my friends who, whilst not having CLL, does have a severe blood condition ! The doctors say the cramps are nothing to do with my blood but I am very sceptical ! I hope you continue on W & W and do not need intervention but if required, go with it - the medics seem to know their job, certainly with regard to when to intervene ! Good luck !
Do not drink tonic water, quinine will cause the platelets to drop. I learned this the hard way in the middle of FCR
Interesting.
I was never prone to cramp as a youngster, but have had far more frequent episodes in recent years. I never thought of a CLL connection, and assumed it was down to old age - now, I wonder. It mainly affects the hands and feet - sometimes, the calf. I wonder if a connection will be demonstrated for certain in future?
Can't complain, though - the cramps don't tend to last very long.
I can't speak for the cramping but I do bruise at the slightest bump. In fact, that's the first thing that I began to notice before I was diagnosed in December of 2015.
Painful bruises on my hands 
Skin Bruising: Itching 
Bruising day 7 on Ibrutinib
