Infections

[Stavrou1]

Hello Hope your doing ok.

I am struggling since finishing my treatment with V&O on 15th November this year . I have had a bad urine infection . Went after antibiotics.

Than Thursday a start of a really bad throat which feels like a infection, not coughing up anything . No tempreture , but am checking . Also testing for covid , and will continue to do so . All through out my treatment never had any infections .

😷🙄.

[Lilsa]

Hi Stavrou1,

While you were on treatment you were probably taking antibiotic and antiviral medication and this would explain the lack of infections.

My personal opinion, and I have no medical training at all, is that many of us are taken off these prophylactics too early before our immune system has recovered sufficiently.

I like you did not have any infections while on treatment but since finishing V/O just over a year ago I have had shingles, bladder infections and am currently fighting my second respiratory infection. My immunoglogulins are still below normal as are my lymphocytes. Happily my neutrophils are now at 5.

I guess it is all about being very careful until our immune system recovers a bit. My problem is I over commit and over exert myself with my3 daughters beautiful families. This involves quite a bit of travel especially at this time of the year. But I love it and it is so worth it for me. Just back from Melbourne, off to the South coast for a week on Friday followed in quick succession by Christmas in Sydney, finally home for some rest and recuperation to Canberra in late January.

Hope you can stay infection free over Christmas.

Keep walking

Lilsa

[Stavrou1 in reply to Lilsa]

Good morning Lisa Thank you for your reply , it makes sense . I am sorry you too are suffering . Definitely understand how easy it is to exert ourselfs . ... I haven't been able to do that yet , even after a month of finishing treatment on Venetoclax.

I spoke with a emergency Dr yesterday. Have been prescribed antibiotics because of coughing lots , and not sleeping well .. My throat is is on fire ! ! . Luckily I have had my first shingles vaccine 6 weeks ago . Due for my 2nd on 20th Dec. Also have had pneumonia vaccine. And up to date with covid vaccines.

Please look after yourself and try to slow down .x

[Stavrou1 in reply to Stavrou1]

Hi Lisa again. Wanted to add that I fined Obinuzumab intravenously back in June and just been Venetoclax since than ! . Was that the same with you.

[Stavrou1 in reply to Stavrou1]

Oops meant to be I finished O.

[W00dfin]

My hematologist had me on a prophylactic Bactrim DS for years following my first treatment. He also had me on an antiviral Valacyclovir which I am still taking 12 years later. I was once hospitalized with cellulitis and they tried several antibiotics unsuccessfully until they tried doxycycline which did work.

So you might want to ask about the prophylactic options.

[Stavrou1 in reply to W00dfin]

Thank you for your reply. You have really been through it , you poor thing . I will mention to my oncologist when we speak as am back on watch and wait ! . I tested positive for covid a couple of hours , coughing and chest has been terrible and very little sleep . I have antibiotics from emergency GP yesterday , he was concerned that it was covid, with a threat could turn in to pneumonia. Please take care .

[W00dfin]

you too. Happy Holidays!

[Stavrou1]

Thank you and hope so by than.😊