I started Acala two weeks ago and have had some side effects including bruises, blood blisters in the mouth and headaches. Yesterday I noticed that my ears are blocked on both sides. Feels like when you need to clear your ears when on a plane. The sound effects I get are crackling. I am unable to clear the ears. I have no symptoms of cold or other chest infection.
Has anyone else experienced this?
Many thanks
I thought I was the only one but I’m not. I’ve been experiencing the same symptom after starting acalabrutinib over 1 year ago. I went to an audiologist and another specialist. They found nothing. I never had this problem so I attributed to these meds. To this day I still have this symptom but it’s much much better not as clogged. My hematologist doesn’t seem to think it’s related. I definitely do.
Thanks! I am seeing my consultant next week so if has not cleared up then I will ask him about it
Yes it's real. Hubby been on it 2 mos with left arm bruising bad, swollen hand and now the clogged ears. Going to get stronger hearing aids this week but do take antihistamine that helps some.
Seems to me that someone actually did point to tinnitus as some thing that can occur with these medicines, give it a quick look up in the search box.
Thanks I will do that
I also had blocked ears when I started acalabrutinib. It lasted for a month and then slowly subsided. Currently I don't have that issue. I never had tinnitus with it tho. There is a FaceBook group specifically for those using Calquence. AstraZeneca hosts it. There are a few others on that page that also had blocked ears...like you get when you are on a plane is how they put it.
Thanks !
I would love to know the name of this group as I have been on Calquence since January
Jan
Hi Jan! It's called Calquence Connections. Go into FaceBook and search for it. It will pop up.
Thank you
I saw my oncologist yesterday. I mentioned blocked and inflamed ears. Unsure if it is CLL related or springtime allergies. He gave me a prescription for drops to take for a week. I have been on Acalabrutinib for a year and a half. We also discussed switching to Zanabrutinib due to having continued headaches . I am in the low percentage that have continued headaches. I hope things get better and you are able to tolerate Acalabrutinib. Sending well wishes!👩🦳
Thank you 👍
Sorry you are having these side effects. I have only had the blood blisters in my mouth - which continued (with less frequency) once discontinuing treatment. There I believe they are more CLL/SLL related (compromised immune system) than from treatment. There are many "Magic Mouthwash" recipes but one that helps me: 1/3 warm water, 1/3 hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 baking soda - swish around in the mouth 2-3 times daily. Wishing you some relief. I am 31 months off of Acalabrutinib and holding in partial remission of SLL/CLL - good treatment for me!
I suspect Acala for the blood blisters in my mouth. Never had one in 12 years of wait and watch, Within a week of starting Acala I got my first mouth blister and more since.
I have used Corsodyl , a proprietary mouth wash recommended to me some years ago by my dentist.
ScruffyDuck -
It really sounds like an infection blocking your eustachian tubes. An otolaryngologist (ENT - Ear/Nose/Throat) specialist may be able to help check if there's also fluid behind the ear drum.
If it's "just" swelling, a short course of oral steroids might help.
Best of luck,
=seymour=
Yes hubby been on Calquence for CLL since Nov, 2024. He has increasing bruising and rash on his arms. He stopped any OTC blood thinners. Then after Christmas the clogged ears started. He couldn't even hear TV with his hearing aids. Oncologist told him to take nondrowsy antihistamine to help but ended up getting new bluetooth hearing aids to turn volume up. He is 84 but also has VA Healthcare so were free.
Doctor said to take nondrowsy antihistamine like Benadryl
Acalabrutinib side effects
Acalabrutinib side effects 
Acalabrutinib and side effects
