There is Hope! CLL,Ibrutinib and Covid-19. - CLL Support

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There is Hope! CLL,Ibrutinib and Covid-19.

Nickos66 profile image
29 Replies

Hi everyone, I haven't posted for awhile,I'd like to share my experience of contracting Covid-19.

I've been on Ibrutinib for about 2 years now,I also take Azithromycin 3 times weekly and Carbocisteine on a daily basis for a dodgy lung.I have been double vaccinated with the Pfizer vax since March 2021.I started with signs and symptoms 4 days ago,tested positive by lateral flow test the day after feeling unwell, and was confirmed by PCR test a day later.My wife tested positive the same time.

Now then,while my wife(who has no underlying health problems)has been quite unwell,with flu like symptoms and loss of taste and smell,I have been relatively ok,abit like a cold and ok after taking paracetamol.I'm thinking the Azithromycin and Carbocisteine have shielded me from the worst effects of Covid-19.I will post further updates as virus progresses.

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Nickos66
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29 Replies
sweatbee profile image
sweatbee

Praying you and your wife have mild cases.

Belfastbees profile image
Belfastbees

So far so good then. Gives hope to others that covid just might not be as bad for them also, but not to be complacent given the unknowns. Come what may you will have covid done. Best wishes.

SlowCLL profile image
SlowCLL

Nickos,

The idea that azithromycin and carbocisteine may be shielding you from the worst effects of Covid-19 seems plausible. Hope it works!Owen

gardening-girl profile image
gardening-girl

Anthony, If you don't have a pulse oximeter you might consider getting one.

Usually a low blood oxygen level causes symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath. But with COVID-19, you may not have symptoms from a low oxygen level. Your doctor may suggest checking your oxygen level at home. This can help you know when you need medical attention even if you don't have symptoms.

Call your doctor if:Your blood oxygen level (SpO2) drops below 95%. This is true even if the number only drops when you're active.

uofmhealth.org/health-libra...

whmk profile image
whmk

Did you try to get monoclonal antibodies?

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66 in reply to whmk

Hi whmk, no I did not I was due to get my 2nd booster jab but that won't happen for a few weeks now.

whmk profile image
whmk in reply to Nickos66

So you had 3 Pfizer shots and still got COVID-19?!

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66 in reply to whmk

No,I had my first and second shot,I was due to get my 3rd but tested positive.

WinJ3 profile image
WinJ3

Thanks for the post. I pray that you and your wife will be well soon🙏🏾

Win

Fran57 profile image
Fran57

I hope you will both feel not too bad and recover quickly.Best wishes, Fran 🤞🏻

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66

Thanks for the best wishes and positive thoughts everyone.I have ordered myself an oximeter Gardening Girl 🙂 my symptoms are no different today,If I didn't have to isolate I would be getting up and going into work as normal.It has been a very stressful last few years avoiding everything and everyone,does anyone have experience of the virus reinfecting?

bennevisplace profile image
bennevisplace

Fingers crossed you will have mild illness, but maybe you should enquire with your surgery/ hospital/ specialist about getting an infusion of the monoclonal antibody duo Ronapreve. This would give you (more) antibodies to Covid in order to head off severe illness. Very important: the earlier you have it the better it will work. Having CLL and being in treatment, you are a prime candidate for Ronapreve.

If you're up to it, please keep us updated with how you are etc.

Best wishes.

peghip profile image
peghip

It has been clear from the outbreak of covid everyone reacts differently. There are a few indicators to how different people will react but even here it realistically is a higher proportion of those infected and not necessarily the majority. We with CLL have a higher probability that we will have severe symptoms but I'm sure I've seen comment that some have had the infection with no symptoms. I've read the situation that it is not doom and gloom if we are infected but because of the higher risk of severe infection we need to remain careful but there is no need to completely isolate from society. Hope you both recover fully soon.

Thanks for the update Nickos. Hopefully you and your wife will get through this with no major complaints. Prayers for a speedy recovery. Sally

Graham2222 profile image
Graham2222

Good luck, and I hope you and your wife escape lightly.

Provence profile image
Provence

I was interested to read your post since I had covid last January and started to recover from feeling terrible once my GP had prescribed azithromycin. It seemed to stop the infection spreading into the lungs. I never understood how an antibiotic could help with this virus.Good luck, I hope your covid will not progress and that you will come through this soon.

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66

After 5 days my symptoms haven't changed a great deal,no worse...maybe slightly better,as in I know when the paracetamol is wearing off! My blood oxygen is at 91% but I do have bronchiectasis in one lung so that would fit within being slightly lower than normal.I am still in better condition than my wife who has lost her appetite,taste and smell.

Farrpottery profile image
Farrpottery in reply to Nickos66

You really should see a doctor to make sure that lung doesn’t have pneumonia. 91 oxygen level is crashing according to our Oncologist. Please ask about monoclonal antibodies.

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66

Beginning of day 6 and I have developed a continuous light cough,my breathing is a little raspy but phlegm is still clear and white,so no infection as of this post.

Davidcara profile image
Davidcara

I hope your oncologist is aware that you have covid. It can present very slowly, with light symptoms at first, which become worse over time. Not wanting to scare you but, I heard this CLL Expert explain something that happened with one of her patients. The patient had covid and was doing ok. The oncologist suggested monoclonal antibodies but, because it was a light case the patient declined and recovered. A few months down the road, the patient needed a non covid related chest cat scan. The scan showed inflammation around the patients heart. Again, not meaning to scare you but, just suggesting even in light cases, throwing all proven treatments at this thing might be the way to go.

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66 in reply to Davidcara

Hi David,yes as soon as I tested positive I had a conversation with him regarding my medications,whether to continue on my ibrutinib.

Davidcara profile image
Davidcara in reply to Nickos66

Might be a good time to contact him with an update of your condition. Take care Nickos

Farrpottery profile image
Farrpottery

Just curious...do you receive infusions if IVIG?Thank you

Farrpottery

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66 in reply to Farrpottery

Hi there, I live in the UK,I really don't know how much of an option that is here,it is available but like everything with our National Health Service they pay through the nose for treatments.

Farrpottery profile image
Farrpottery in reply to Nickos66

I’m sorry to hear that for you. Our Oncologist seems to feel it’s making a difference as to protection from Covid somewhat. Bless you and your family

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66

Day 7....I woke up about 2am and it was like all my nerve receptacles were electrified, felt absolutely dreadful.Paracetamol eventually sorting that out.The better news is the chest is still clear,taking it easy is definitely the way forward,taking my time with everything and my wife is feeling quite abit better after a worrying couple of days where she had extreme headache s.She must be feeling better because I can hear the hoover! 😂 Hopefully we are coming out the other side.

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66

Hi everyone, this is my follow-up to having had Covid-19.The first week wasn't that bad,my SATS are around 95% normally, with bronchiectasis, the next 2 weeks were absolute hell,fever,temperature, chesty cough,headache I can only describe as a migraine that no painkillers could budge,I lost taste,smell and appetite,couldn't get out of bed,dropped a stone in weight,laboured breathing and my SATS hit 82% ,for which I was hospitalised, chest x-ray, issued strong antibiotics and steroids.The 4th week I had to return to hospital for more checks and another course of steroids.Gradually everything has returned to normal,but still abit tired and breathless.It was absolutely terrifying for awhile as you can't see light at the end of the tunnel.I would wish this awful virus on no-one!

Justasheet1 profile image
Justasheet1 in reply to Nickos66

Nicko,

I’m glad that you and your wife are both well now.

It seems that the first week was a breeze followed by three of complete hell.

BUT YOU SURVIVED!

So as the title of your post goes, there’s hope. Though I think you wrote that too early to know how bad it was to.

Jeff

Nickos66 profile image
Nickos66 in reply to Justasheet1

Aha,your probably right Jeff,we are just thankful we got through it,now for my 2nd booster and flu jab!😆

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