Cyclophosphamide and avoiding public places - Vasculitis UK

Vasculitis UK

7,865 members6,893 posts

Cyclophosphamide and avoiding public places

10 Replies

Hi,

I'll try my best to explain this in English.

I'm currently taking Cyclophosphamide and my white blood cells are around 6 (normal value is from 4.0 to 10.0). It's very sunny and I was wondering is it OK for me to go out in public? Is it still dangerous to use public transportation or to go to other places where there is a lot of people?

Read more about...
10 Replies
Ayla profile image
AylaVolunteer

I was told to stay away from any sources of possible infection whilst on cyclo. Especially toddlers and school age children under 7 years old! Something to do with them catching more bugs than older people. Crowded places such as public transport and stuffy meetings could be risky, too. However, we still have to live as normal a life as possible so would recommend you steer clear of the obvious big risk areas, such as those mentioned above, and use ant bacterial gel on anything regularly touched by others in your home, office and some things in public places (supermarket trolley handles are notorious, apparently!) but, apart from that, avoid becoming paranoid! Just a matter of using your common sense, I reckon!

I hope this helps and that you are soon free of the cyclophosphamide altogether!

Ayla

in reply toAyla

It does help, thank you. :)

PatriciaAnn profile image
PatriciaAnn

As Ayla implies, we have to live our lives as best we can but being a little sensible of things. Tell your friend to keep away if they have a cold or infection. Don't be going to the theatre or cinema, crowded pubs aren't really sensible places, make sure you have good hand hygiene.

Get off out into the park and enjoy the flowers and the birds if you are able to walk. Go to the coast and take in some sea air. However, do not sunbathe and make sure that if you are out and about you wear the highest sun protection you can find or keep covered up. Once off the cyclo and onto a maintenance drug things won't be so bad.

Hope that helps a little.

PatriciaAnn

in reply toPatriciaAnn

Thank you. :)

jen71 profile image
jen71

Hi I have had 2 infusion got to have a total of 6. Was told by my doctor that I can go back to work when I feel ready and i work in a school. And it am laying in the sun as we have to do something to make us feel better. And I am allowed to travel to turkey in the summer

PatriciaAnn profile image
PatriciaAnn

Jen, lying in the sun really isn't the best thing to do if you are on cyclophosphamide. Also it isn't really the best thing to do if you are on any of the immuno-suppressants.

It is entirely up to you, of course, but high summer in Turkey - highest factor sun screen, a hat and cotton clothes to protect your "vunerable area". Having said that, have a lovely holiday.

PatriciaAnn

kath12341 profile image
kath12341

Hi returned to work whilst on cyclo in a 7 storey office with air conditioning lots of people had various ailments coughs and sneezes but I was okay. Just have to do what you feel comfortable doing and try to get on as normal.

kimmw profile image
kimmw

I have WG I had cyclo on a fri and returned to work on a mon in a supermarket, I felt I had to carry on as normal, I am on prednisolone and anzathroprine and have been on holiday, used a factor 20 suncream which was sufficient for me.

JimL profile image
JimL

Like Kimmw, I have WG and was on cyclo whilst working, to make matters worse I am a taxi driver and some of the treatment was over the winter (so there I was in a nice enclosed box with my customers only a few feet away)! I did get an air sanitizer for the car and used an anti-bacterial hand wash after handling money and especially just before I ate my sandwiches. I had less colds/flu than before I was diagnosed with WG.

Jim

rrahman profile image
rrahman

Thanks for the info. Nobody told me any of this.

I just couldn't stay cooped in the house I was going insane...n so forced my friends to take me out....whilst on the cyclophosomide. Im off it Now in substitute of methotrate.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Cyclophosphamide

Hi all, I wondered whether anyone could help me with a question please? I had 6 sessions of...
lovenothate profile image

Cyclophosphamide

Hi, my first blog. can anyone tell me how long it takes for cyclophosphamide to leave your system,...
tonyeade1 profile image

Cyclophosphamide side effects

Had my first Cyclophosphamide infusion last week, felt fine on the day but was so sick the...
woollysox profile image

Problems with Cyclophosphamide

I have had four infusions of Cyclo plus two infusions of mezine to help control my wergeners but...

First cyclophosphamide pulse

First treatment today; just in time as ESR, C-RP and WBC counts were ramping up on previous blood...
Wellsie profile image

Moderation team

See all
Suzi70 profile image
Suzi70Administrator
JaneLE profile image
JaneLEAdministrator
Charlie_Harper profile image
Charlie_HarperAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.