Immune Issues

[Michael199]

I was diagnosed about 2 and a half years ago and my Lab Results looking good, in fact today's lab results are better than they were when I first got diagnosed. Around the time I got diagnosed I developed mouth ulcers that have never gone away, I know that’s insane and very painful. Also I’ve started suffering from extreme allergies (dust and environmental) and parodically I break out in hives. I've been to 3 allergists, one a professor at USF and they haven't figured what my issue is. Finally, today my Oncologist tells me that this must be an immune issue related to CLL. He wants me to take an antibodies test, he’s thinking I don’t have any, now I find out that I am high risk to suffer seriously if I catch Covid even with the vaccine and the boost. My oncologist recommends that I begin taking B12 and D3 vitamins and of course now I gotta be super diligent about Covid. I'm wondering if anyone else has similar issues if so what have you done about it.

[Uplawmoorlass]

I was diagnosed with CLL in Feb 2021 and on w & w. The other day I helped friends gather evergreens for wreath making and half an hour in started with itchy and watery eyes and runny nose. I took an anti-histamine but for the rest of afternoon/evening my eyes were really sore. I haven’t had an allergic reaction to pine/fir etc previously so after reading your post I’m now wondering if this could be related to CLL. Sorry you are having such a hard time with all your allergies and apologies I don’t really have any advice to offer!

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Michael199,

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In general CLL upsets or unbalances our immune system, many of us get reduced resistance to bacterial, fungal or viral infections like COVID19 but also have increased autoimmune troubles.

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The immune system has a sensitive balance between different types of proteins and antibodies like CD-4 vs. CD-8. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD4%2....

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Those can include Rheumatoid Arthritis, exaggerated skin sensitivity, immune destruction of platelets or red blood cells, etc. See webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/aut...

medlineplus.gov/ency/articl...

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Len

[Michael199 in reply to lankisterguy]

Are you dealing with similar issues. If so how are you addressing it?

[lankisterguy Volunteer]

Hi Michael199,

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I do have a Psoriasis like skin issue that the doctors can't agree on a cause, but we have found a palliative treatment that works for me.

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There may not ever be a definitive cause or cure for your autoimmune issues, but you may just need to keep pursuing different treatments for the symptoms until you find some relief. If one of the allergists you saw seems more enthusiastic / interested, you may want to work closely on trying different approaches. The commonly used immune suppressive drugs could have some problems when given to someone with an immune suppressing disease like CLL. And it would be unusual to start treatment for CLL and expect your autoimmune problems to be cured, but it could happen.

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Len

[gardening-girl]

Michael199, I don't quite understand why having dust & environmental allergy symptoms would mean that you didn't have antibodies/immunoglobulins. Allergies are caused by B-cells responding to antigens by making more antibodies, in the case of allergies, mainly IgE. I would think that during a hives outbreak, etc. that you would have increased levels of IgE.

In my case I had multiple allergies that would disappear upon treatment as my B cells were being destroyed by chemotherapy. As the B cells recovered over a period of months I would have a totally different set of allergies.

Please post again when you have more information. Please let us know specifically what your doctor tests for and what the results indicate.

Thanks, gardening-girl