Lymphoma and autoimmune conditions

[Maltipoo]

The science indicates that inflammation is the cause or a big factor in developing cancer and autoimmune conditions such as Crohn's, Hashimoto's, celiac, chronic fatigue, Grave's, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's, psoriasis, lupus, or the other 100 autoimmune diseases. I am wondering how many of us who have lymphoma also have an autoimmune disease? Do you think that our immune system was so compromised by our autoimmune condition that the immune system was too exhausted to fight both the autoimmunity and lymphoma? Should we all be going gluten, dairy, and sugar free so our immune system can fight the lymphoma?

[Shar0n Volunteer]

I have an underactive thyroid and did have positive antibodies many years ago so possible auto immune, but my condition hasn't worsened over the years. There may be an autoimmune component to it but I don't know. Chronic stress also has a bad effect on the immune system. Many of us seemed to develop lymphoma as we got older so aging is probably a factor too.

I have gone mostly gluten and sugar free but not dairy free as I still eat plain yoghurt which I make myself from regular milk. Anything we can do to support the immune system can only be good. Exercising daily is good. Sugar is something we don't need at all (but the odd bit of birthday cake is probably okay I no longer eat wheat products and feel the better for it, but I do still eat organic oatmeal ( a lot of grains are sprayed with Roundup as a pre harvesting strategy). I look forward to reading others thoughts these issues.

[81ue]

I eliminated from my every day diet wheat, rice, pasta etc. and primarily eat meat and vegetables. Occasionally I'll have fruit and do the once in awhile 'bad' foods on holidays or birthdays. I also have 3-4 times a week a very small portion of plain yogurt (1/2 or 1/3 of the single serve they sell in stores) and two fork-fulls of homemade sauerkraut for the probiotics. I also try to do intermittent fasting. I hope this is helping my immune system get stronger. Before diagnosis I ate whatever I wanted

[Sps82]

My mum has an underactive thyroid and has done for many years prior to her lymphoma diagnosis. I have no doubt it is all linked.

[laylalulu in reply to Sps82]

I have under active thyroid too mmm I wonder

[KarenL1 in reply to laylalulu]

I have taken Cytomel for under active thyroid for approx. 15 years, diagnosed with extra nodal marginal zone lymphoma past Feb., age 70.

[Jackieyar in reply to KarenL1]

You and I are part of a small group that has Marginal Zone Lymphoma. I also have Hasimoto thyroid disease. My biggest concerns are the hyper sensitivity to cancer drugs I’ve developed since my cancer diagnosis. Do you have hypersensitivity to cancer drugs?

[KarenL1 in reply to Jackieyar]

Hi Jackie, I have extra nodal marginal zone lymphoma originating in left breast with many swollen lymph nodes arm pit & breastswelling - biopsy revealed stage 4 lymphoma. I'm on watch and wait and worry. No treatment yet but see oncologist tomorrow with some new symptoms. Belong to support group here & one lady said she has hypersensitivity to chemo with stinging & pain in feet/legs. I live just west of Toronto.

[Jackieyar in reply to KarenL1]

Hi Karen, I was diagnosed in 2006 and was on watch and wait until it progressed in 2014 then I started on oral chemo, then tired Rituxan. My anaphylactic reactions were so severe the treatments were stopped. This same process was repeated in five different methods and even tried desensitization, but my body responded by getting worse. I tried Imbruvica,Treanda, mega dose dexamethasone, and others, but have never completed any treatment prodacol. We are going to try the new directed drug that is humanized, ( Guaza) in January. Hopefully it will push back the splenic margional zone lymphoma.

I live in Louisiana so I have seen other specialists at MDAnderson and Baylor Hospital in Texas.

You can live an intensely fatigued life until this cancer progresses. Praying when you reach that stage, you can simply take the chemo and continue on without complications. Blessings to you.

[KarenL1 in reply to Jackieyar]

Jackie, Sending prayers and positive vibes your way. I'm dreading progress of this lymphoma. Out of interest I'll look up the meds you've endured. When your splenic marginal zone lymphoma became more active, how did you know? Currently my left breast, where lymphoma started is twice size of other breast.

[Jackieyar in reply to KarenL1]

I started having terrible night sweats, fever, rigors, and bad fatigue. A CT scan showed my spleen had increased to more than double it’s normal size and causes pain even to touch. The worst pain is the hip and leg pains. My bones hurt so bad at times. The osteoporosis probably contributes to th bone pain.

[KarenL1 in reply to Jackieyar]

Thanks for your reply. I'm having bone density test in Jan. severe lower back pain, but am concerned it is from lymphoma since lymphoma is in my bone marrow. Also having mammogram in Jan. results will show if I need to start Rit. chemo. Lymphoma isn't in my spleen, but apparently is in my pancreas.

[lukidude in reply to Jackieyar]

Hi Jackie, it sounds like you also have smzl. My relative has a very large spleen, but currently wbc count is 165,000. Have yours ever done this, or anyone else that you know? Is this part of the routine or something we should be concerned about? C ould it be that the current treatment of ibrutinib ( she was allergic to rituximab) is the cause, or is this unusual?

[Jackieyar in reply to lukidude]

Hi, I have been diagnosed with SMZL. I am taking the totally humanized monoclonal Gazyva. It is directed toward CD20 as Rituxan is. Because of the hypersensitivity to drugs I am receiving only an fraction of the recommend dose. It’s too soon to know any positive reactions but I did experience anaphylactic reactions to the first reduced treatment. My wise doctor stopped the treatment and gave my body a week to recover, then reduced the medicine and successfully gave me the Gazyva. Infusions given slow and with a fraction of the recommended dose has reduced my white count. This may be a long journey, but I am patiently expecting improvements.

[BLP1211 in reply to Sps82]

So did I.

[Lizard28]

Hi, I have a Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, I also have lymphoma. When doctors asked about my health at the beginning they did indicate that it was common for autoimmune problems to be linked. I don't believe in changing my diet in any way, I've not been eating much in the last year, I thought I was allergic to every food. No idea why I woke up one day and was hungry again and I was delighted to actually eat food again, especially high calorie food as I lost about 2 stone. I have my appointment with my gastrologist at end of month, I'm hoping he can shed some light. They took 25 biopsies when I had my colonoscopy and I've had other tests. My own theory is that the lymphoma was linked to this, who knows, my illnesses in the past have been mysteries to my rheumatologist who is treating my MCTD. I was taking medication to suppress my immune system before I was diagnosed. Interesting post Maltipoo

[WallysMom]

I am reading a really good book right now that is really interesting. It is called "Sharks get Cancer, Mole Rats Don't" and contains a LOT of information about cancer and cancer research in an easy-to-understand, interesting format. I highly recommend it if you like to read. The reason I mention that is one of the author's hypotheses is that immune suppression might be linked to cancer because there are so many immune diseases that have a higher cancer risk and viruses that are linked to cancer (like HIV in humans and felv in cats). He also talks a lot about how people who have received organ transplants have a higher risk of cancer. He thinks it might be because they are on immune-suppressants to keep their bodies from rejecting the organs.

[KarenL1 in reply to WallysMom]

Want to get the book you mention.

[TigerM]

I have VERY STRONG immune system. Rarely get sick and generally have an abundance of energy. My trips to the doctor are usually injury related. I'm active and I do stuff : ) Annual physicals were uneventful. That's why I knew pretty quick that something was wrong. My blessing is that the B-cell NHL is only in my marrow and not in my lymph nodes. For me the immunotherapy was a perfect solution. That along with a strong faith in the healing power of prayer. I truly do believe God has the power and I am healed.

Anyway I might recommend listening to this segment on immunotherapy that was on Science Friday the other day: sciencefriday.com/segments/...

As always I pray for each an every person with cancer. It really is true, cancer sucks! If I can pray for you specifically just let me know! God bless and Merry Christmas!

[JennyM2]

Exactly - I think many of us have been suffering with an autoimmune disorder, as it is 'officially' a risk factor for getting lymphoma.