Two New Challenges

[Paul_Mangold]

I am quick NOT to blame anything on CLL, but I am not getting any real explanations. Within the last month I am waking up with new skin issues (looks like pimples - but not). Sore, painful, some present a burning feeling. Dermatologist gave me a prescription body scrub, and a lotion, neither seem to do a thing.

Far worse than that. I have been suffering with what feels like esophageal spasms. I found an description on the Mayo Clinic website that describes the pain quite accurately as "Nut Cracker Spasms". My GP is sending me to my Gastroenterology specialist. There are no acid re-flux symptoms, just pain that keeps me up at night from a few minutes to all night.

Any ideas?

[maggiesgrandmom]

Hi Paul, I have had severe muscle spasms in my neck at night. They are more to the side of esophagus and extend to my chin. They come on suddenly and the pain is worse than childbirth. The first time I thought it must be a heart attack. I don't know if this is the same thing but I have assumed it was similar to a leg muscle cramp. I have had problems with low potassium too so I assumed it had something to do with that. I learned to move my neck in a different direction as quickly as possible to get it to stop. The residual pain was helped with ice and Ibuprofen. This happened while I was on Ibrutinib and I think it happened once before but I am not sure.

Also a couple of months ago I got severe vertigo while turning my head in bed. It lasted a few days. I also had a slight ear ache but the dr. said there was no infection. But I know there is a nerve that can have a virus that could cause the vertigo. They said it was crystals in the inner ear most likely. The neck exercises they give you for vertigo helped, or maybe it just went away on its own. Maybe you could look into that nerve infection, could it be related? God bless.

[Paul_Mangold in reply to maggiesgrandmom]

Thank you very much for replying. Such mysteries. Neither one are fun. I will try different positions the next time I have the spasm.

I hope that your condition is fully under control and that all is good with you and that you are able to fully enjoy life.

God will never give us more than we can handle, though sometimes we wonder what the lesson plan is leading to. God bless you and yours.

[maggiesgrandmom in reply to Paul_Mangold]

Oh Yes, especially during Lent... You never know. Thanks so much for your kind words.

[Mrsminton in reply to maggiesgrandmom]

The "severe vertigo while turning my head" due to "crystals in the inner ear" is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) - and is due to a calcified otolith in the inner ear that gets dislodged from its normal settling place. The "neck exercises" that I am familiar with are repositioning maneuvers that attempt to move the dislodged otolith back to its normal settling place where it does not cause vertigo. Although this is a benign problem, it can be quite debilitating because the vertigo and associated nausea can be severe (I was laid up for 3 days). I was able to perform the maneuvers at home and recovered, but not entirely sure if it was the maneuvers or if the otolith just went back on its own. Sorry I'm not any help with your original issue, Paul.

[Abroome]

I wake up with my skin burning red face then moves down my entire body except feet. Feels like a horrible sunburn usually doesn't last more than 20 minutes, and it's gone, haven't discussed with dr yet as only happens few and far between, but this week two mornings in a row

[Paul_Mangold in reply to Abroome]

Thank you very much for getting back to me. I wish that mine would go away. Some of my mysterious red bums have been around for weeks.

I hope that you doctor can find a reason and better yet a solution for your painful skin events.

[virdieblue]

I also get the esophageal spasms. Aren't they painful! About 5 years ago - before CLL I was also getting them from a bout of anxiety. They went away as my anxiety lessened. They recently have come back. I am assuming that anxiety (who has THAT?) is the cause. I plan to go to my primary shortly as I am also getting reflux problems. Ibrutinib, which I am on, can cause that.

I also get pimples. Other than my vanity they really don't cause me any difficulty.

Are you on any treatment?

Virginia

[Paul_Mangold in reply to virdieblue]

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply. No treatment as of yet. I never (almost never) feel any stress, I also saw stress as a probable cause, but if I'm not stressed (which I am not), I am at a loss for a cause. My pimples aren't pimples, they never have heads, but look pimples. So weird. I'm not a vane person, but this looks like I don't keep clean, which is so far from the truth.