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[Succulent]

So nice to be part of the CLL family. I’ve had CLL for 5 years. Last month I became ill with a upper respiratory infection. After being on prednisone my WCC doubled. I’m waiting a month to see if the count drops back to its original count. Really scared me. Does anyone know what meds can be used instead of prednisone. Thank you

[Panz]

Welcome to our community....so happy you found us. That was quite interesting what happened to you. I hope someone is able to shed a little light on this for you. We learn from each other!!!

🙏😍☘️💕

[Spacee]

Welcome!! I agree with Panz! I hope someone who knows something will post. There are posts of the IVIG therapy but I know almost nothing about it. Did my first google on it today. It isn’t cheap to say the least.

Linda (Hubby with CLLW/W)

[PlanetaryKim]

Welcome Succulent! Depending on what your other lab results are, and your other symptoms, perhaps it's time to start treatment for the CLL... And it's always good to have a CLL specialist. Do you have one?

best,

kim

[Jm954 Administrator]

Hi Succulent and welcome here.

For CLL patients, steroids, including prednisone, causes their lymph counts to increase, often substantially, and you’ve also had an infection which can cause an increase too.

Because of this it’s very difficult to assess if there is any progression of the CLL when a patient has received steroids. However, the increase in lymph count is not necessarily indicative of any worsening of your CLL or progression. Your lymph count may not return as low your previous levels but you should expect it to fall back substantially over a few months after stopping steroids.

It’s difficult to be any more specific because steroids responses are very variable but I hope this is helpful.

Jackie

[Succulent in reply to Jm954]

Thank you. Will get back to all in one month after blood work.

[Ptown]

Hello friend, I can only share that the two times I’be taken Prednizone I was unable to sleep at night and, as such, I reorganized every single drawer and cupboard in my home, twice! It was unreal. I hope you are doing okay. Carolyn