CLL and Seniors super flu vaccine

[Dyba]

With CLL, are there any serious side effects after getting the" full" dose seniors flu vaccine. Also , does it matter if I take ibuprofen as compared to acetaminopfen once in awhile ? Thank you .

[DriedSeaweed]

I got the super flu vaccine because of the CLL. The hope is that there will be some immune response.

Did someone tell you not to take ibuprofen? I have been using NSAIDs nonstop since December to treat an unrelated condition. My CLL specialist is aware of this and doesn’t care.

[DriedSeaweed in reply to DriedSeaweed]

You mean because of ibrutinib bleeding risk? I guess it depends on your platelets.

I am on daily meloxicam at the highest recommended dose which is not ideal but at the moment it is the way my doctors want to treat my psoriatic arthritis. For me this isn’t a problem but if you have had bleeding issues in the past you should double check with your doctor…

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to DriedSeaweed]

NSAIDs are indeed contraindicated when you have low neutrophil or platelet counts, because they can suppress neutrophil production and increase the risk of bleeding respectively

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/304...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/760...

Neil

[Wifey21 in reply to AussieNeil]

Which painkiller is preferable to take then, ibuprofen or paracetamol? My husband's platelets are hovering around 149 to 171 at present. He's not been advised regarding medication contraindications if he drops below 150. Reading on each it seems ibuprofen is preferable as its effect on platelets is reversible.

[AussieNeil Administrator in reply to Wifey21]

Ibuprofen being an NSAID, Paracetamol is what my specialists have recommended when my neutrophil and/or platelets are low. Your husband's platelet counts are quite adequate, given he is on watch and wait, so presently, I wouldn't think this would be a concern.

Neil

[Wifey21 in reply to AussieNeil]

Thanks Neil. Good to know.Everything we've learned about CLL has come from CLLSA, Blood Cancer UK or this forum. My husband wasn't even told his diagnosis initially & had to press the GP surgery for further details after a call from the GP to tell him that discussion had taken place with the haematologist. Initially he was informed that "you have a chronic incurable condition, but it can be treated if blood tests show the white cells go above a certain count" and to have an annual check. He rang back & found the GP made him his last call & then went on holiday. Fortunately we moved at about the same time & his new GP is more helpful, but we've still had to educate the surgery about the condition eg vaccinations. His new GP has had him on 6 monthly bloods with a spell of 3 monthly as initially his bloods were going up every time. It has given them a good baseline.

Just checking in case there was something else we could have been told. You can understand our caution! He's currently recovering from a severe cough infection which has caused a bleed in one eye at about the same time as he was taking paracetamol to ease the effects of the infection.

[DriedSeaweed in reply to AussieNeil]

I suppose weigh the risks and benefits. If you have a headache maybe you can wait it out. I couldn’t walk or move my hands without the NSAIDs so my DFCI doctor thought it wasn’t a problem. Hoping to get off them but the alternative is a biologic which seems risky when I’m on venetoclax and zanu.

[Astro617 in reply to DriedSeaweed]

My CLL specialist warned me about taking a lot of ibuprofen due to the effects on the kidneys. She suggested limited use and said, "you may need your kidneys to be nice and strong in the future." Or something like that.

[Graham2222]

Neil has explained the NSAID’s position above. The ‘full’ senior flu jab is the one to have. I did, with no ill effects other than a slight soreness at the site.

[CLLerinOz Administrator Volunteer]

In our pinned Vaccinations post, the general advice "is to get a ‘high dose’ non-live flu vaccine recommended for immunocompromised and/or older people" and to be guided by what's available in your location.

healthunlocked.com/cllsuppo...

[janvog]

Year after year the high potency flue vaccination has not resulted in any negative reaction for me !