Has anyone had or noticed any small red blood ... - CLL Support
Has anyone had or noticed any small red blood spots that are under the skin on parts of their bodies?
Sorry but I can't help re: the red blood spots but my only advise would be always check with either your G.P/Practice Nurse/specialist Nurse/Consultant with regards anything you are worried about.
Jo
I mirror Jo's words. also CLL patients may be more susceptible to allergic reactions, infections and have issues with platelet function etc. It could be any number of things not related to CLL too, Time to consult a medic.
Nick
Yes, I have a number of them of varying small size and varying shades of red. My consultant can't have failed to see them as they're obvious when I'm being examined. He has spotted other marks and queried them, so he's not unobservant! Once they appear they don't increase in size, don't itch and aren't painful so I've been a bit blase about them. Nick and Jo are right, of course, and now I've been prompted I'll follow it up when I next see my GP.
Thanks everyone for your advice. I guess that will be on my list when I go to my PC this month. Should you get a second opnion when you have been told you have CLL? Both my PCP and my Cancer Dr. seem to take this as not that bad and to go home, watch and wait. I feel so confused.
Cancer is Cancer and just the thought of this disease is very disturbing to me. I am 66 years old and I need to understand my options. I am not good at watching and waiting. Once a year testing is very hard on the nerves.
Many people find watch and wait hard and I think it's because it's drilled into us that cancer needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. It goes against the grain, therefore, to just do nothing while something has the chance to develop within you. However, CLL really is different and as you've probably read for yourself, more like a chronic illness which flares up from time to time and has to be managed. Bear in mind that no treatment cures CLL (except perhaps a stem cell transplant) so there's absolutely no advantage in being treated early or before it's necessary. On the other hand, if you have a very indolent form of the disease, you may never need treatment at all. If you can get your mind around all of that, you may, as I have, come to view watch and wait as a positive thing.
Second opinion? Difficult to advise really. Although I didn't request one, I did receive a second opinion, as my local hospital who diagnosed me, subsequently referred me to a CLL specialist. If you would feel more comfortable with a second opinion, I would simply ask for one. Your current medics won't feel in the least slighted if you do. Alternatively, don't be afraid to challenge your current doctor and ask why he or she is certain that you have CLL.
Hi Fight 2Live and David,
I agree with David, once you have come to terms with the diagnosis, W&W can be positive, it is better than the alternative, chemo. There is no benefit from early treatment and treating too early with chemo has it's downside to. If you are having annual appointments, then you are in the very early stage, many of us are on 3 monthly appointments. It is my aim to avoid chemo for as long as possible.
Do you have B symptoms? enlarged lymph nodes, night sweats, weight loss (10% over a short period)??? fatigue?? (not just tiredness but real 'can't do anything' fatigue)? If not and you are physically well, then time to switch off the worry button and start celebrating your life.
Hope you get a good result at your coming appointment.
Yes, I have them.
My consultant said this is quite common for us Cllers but do check with your Gp as we are all different.
thanks for your response and support
Could be petechiae...small dots of bleeding under the skin, can be an indication of platelet problems called thrombocytopenia.
Fish oil suppliments can cause this...but you need to see your doctor...
I also have innumerable petechia predominantly on my abdomen. Don't know what the back looks ke! Am checked every six months by my dermatologist
ohncll.blogspot.co.uk/2008/07/itching-to-go-on-vacation-literally.html
I often find a random red spot here and there that doesn't go away. I was concerned that they were petechia, but have been assured that they are not. As for seeing a specialist, different people have different opinions. Personally, I think it's important to be seen by a hematologist who deals with a lot of CLL, preferably in a medical center where doctors also tend to compare notes on patient issues. You might see this person once a year, but be followed by someone more local in between, but if, at some point, your CLL becomes active in any way you are already established with someone truly familiar with treatment options (and trials).
Purely by chance, I came across an article which describes 'cherry angioma' and without attempting to self-diagnose, the images of this harmless condition match the raised red spots I have, mainly on my chest.
I don't have the exact skin issues you describe but I struggle with hives and rashes that come out from no where. Also love to garden and have become super sensitive to poisen ivy. (I just have to be near it and I get it.) These issues with my skin are new within the past year so this sensitivity must be related to CLL.
Kathy
