Recently diagnosed with CLL and was wondering if I can still have massage and manicure/ pedicure.

[1234098]

Hi

I have no symptoms as yet but spleen is enlarged and have few lymph nodes in my neck .

Thank you for your time

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Provided you take precautions to minimise your risk of infection and your providers take the appropriate precautions, which they should do anyway, you should be fine. See:

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

Neil

[1234098 in reply to AussieNeil]

Thank you

[1234098]

Thank you

[annabelle63]

I have been for years. Go to reputable spas

[GMa27]

Yes....was on W&W for 12 years. Enjoy

[Ironj]

I get a massage every week after my chiropractor.

I’ve never gave it a thought if a massage was good or bad.

[Onmytime]

I’m one that experienced an enlarged spleen and lymph nodes (and my CBC was somewhat stable). Had no real symptoms for 5 years. I told my massage therapist about my spleen and they worked around it.

[blowinginthewind]

I do have them, but I got permission from haematologist in writing first. And I am very careful about it, as is the masseuse and podiatrist doing pedicure.

[kitchengardener2]

I asked my CNS about these things because I was concerned about colouring my hair, something I have done for years. She said that so long as hygiene was good there was no problem. I only paint my nails for high days and holidays since gardening and nail varnish don't mix but I dare not think what my natural hair colour is! Stay safe

[ksteinberglewis in reply to kitchengardener2]

I was told to make sure I wear gloves when I garden because of potential bacteria

[kitchengardener2 in reply to ksteinberglewis]

I always wear gloves when in the garden or more importantly when feeding birds or cleaning feeders. CLL patients are more prone to infections and birds carry campylobacter. I was told that I must avoid bird poo after I was extremely ill pre diagnosis. We should also wear masks when working with compost. My nails still suffer even with gloves. My hands are subjected to a real scrubbing session with really hot water when I have finished in the garden. Always surprised when watching television gardener's lack of gloves.

[virdieblue in reply to ksteinberglewis]

This summer I picked up a fungus infection in the garden. Fewer meds to treat this. I have spent a month and a half trying to arrange for treatment. My infectious disease doctor says - long sleeves, long pants, mask, gloves...

Virginia

[Vlaminck in reply to ksteinberglewis]

Wow, I wasn't given any such cautions (on W&W) and I get my hands in the dirt all the time. I am taking no precautions but for Covid. Plus I have an OLD cat, with kitty litter issues every day, three dogs who are always getting some level of spit on me, and a parrot. Wouldn't even think to worry about manicures but don't get them as they bore me too much, unless for special occasion.

[ksteinberglewis in reply to Vlaminck]

I never gave gardening a second thought either. I went to a LLS conference they had in Ft Lauderdale several years ago and one of the speakers talked about wearing gloves when gardening and I have been doing that since then. I probably would wear the throw away gloves the doctors use with changing cat litter too. Since covid, I see everything as a Petri dish.

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to ksteinberglewis]

To garden safely when you have CLL, particularly if you are likely to be neutropenic, you need to wear gloves that are tough enough to prevent cuts, scratches and puncture wounds. Cellulitis from a skin infection is painful and puts you at risk of sepsis, which can be fairly quickly fatal without prompt access to IV antibiotics.

Neil

[JeannineMarie]

Hi, I get my finger nails done every 2 weeks, pedi every 4 weeks. Even when going through B+R I saw my nail tech. She was aware of my health and was extremely aware of sanitizing diligently.

[ksteinberglewis]

I don’t do anything I really don’t have to. I don’t expose myself for pedicure. I have had an enlarged spleen. It did go down on its own without medication but it is something to watch. I just don’t trust my immune system but I am more cautious than anyone one I know. You have to be comfortable with what you do. Stay safe

[wizzard166]

Hey 1234098

Of course you can get a Massage and manicure and pedicure.

I've been going monthly to a spa near me in South Florida, and it improves me. You don't have to worry about their slight pressures, and it is advisable to let the therapist know about your CLL.

Enjoy

Carl

[Dahlia7]

COVID would be my only concern.

[Msupsych]

Gosh I hope so! I'm newly diagnosed and W&W. I'm making special effort to start doing more for myself, including adding extra spa days and monthly massage and pedicures. I used to work in a stem cell transplant unit and with LL patients (ironic, I know!) - our warnings given to patients focused on neutropenia risks (soil included). Until counts are significant, neutropenia is not a risk. When neutropenia is a real risk, then behaviors need to change appropriately. So with that - I'm all about "self-care!"