One year good results with Imbruvica:

[vog292]

I was diagnosed with CLL in 2006 and on "watch and wait" until Oct. 2018. Then the hematologist got the results about my enlarged spleen and critical level CBC and classified : CLL Stage 3 . I started with 420 GM Imbruvica. The initial and only reaction was a severe rash on the face. Now after one year on Imbruvica 420 GM, the rash has vanished since over a half a year, and my CBC is close to normal. During this year, I contitioned my self to climb stairs twice daily up to the 7th floor - but only as part of my diet-and-exercise since 50 years to prevent pre-diabetes from turning into Diabetes 2. But this stair-climbing possibly may have contributed to positive absorbtion of the Imbruvica. I just read an article about "Qualifying for rhe CAR T-cell process": The patient had to show that she could climb stairs...... exercise such as climbing stairs helps to activate the neutrophils , the type of white blood cells that protect against infections in the bloostream. Her neutrophils had to be high enough to show that that her immune system would be able to get through the re-programming of her T-cells." ---- My understanding of both this article as well as what is known about diabetes avoidance is, that the muscles of the thighs and legs have a very important endocrene function fo management of the endocrene system. As part of my pre-diabetes management, I also walk one hour each day on my treadmill: This may also have contributed to the impact of the Imbruvica to control the CLL. I systematically recommend : Get yourself a basic treadmill to walk inside your home every day. The walking has universal benefit for all functions.

[PlanetaryKim]

Good advice and interesting information. Congrats on your first anniversary on ibrutinib, and your good results from it.

[cajunjeff]

Well that is most interesting. I am on ibrutinib and doing well. After having read how ibrutinib contributes to weight gain, I decided to increase my physical activity so I could continue to eat all the foods I like and not gain too much weight. It did not occur to me my exercise might be activating neutrophils.

I googled it and was stunned by the number of studies looking at this, studies which had confusing and conflicting results. Some studies suggested intense exercise actually can hurt the immune system while sustained moderate exercise is better. While I never have specifically thought of exercise as helping my immune system, I have always intuitively thought that exercise helps me stay healthy and staying healthy means a stronger ability to fight infections.

I have been walking a lot and have been relatively healthy since starting ibrutinib, so it must help. I have been drinking more and better wines lately, so that must be helping too.

Its nice to read you are doing well on ibrutinib. And I think for those who are experiencing rashes on ibrutinib, it must be nice to read that this side effect resolved for you.

[annmcgowan]

Great to hear you are doing so well on ibrutinib. Well done.

Ann

[cllady01 Former Volunteer]

Good job keeping diabetes at bay (I am working to do that also.) But, I broke down today and had a gigantic piece of Tres Leche cake. Now I HAVE to get my walk in today and a bit more protein right now.

And yes, the Neutrophil increase with exercise is something that has been discussed here.

[AussieNeil Administrator]

Lots of articles on The Conversation about the benefits of walking, including with regard to diabetes. Here are just a few.

theconversation.com/thinkin...

theconversation.com/is-walk...

theconversation.com/the-fas...

Neil