immune problems post remission

stinenat · New User Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

I'm a 21 yr old male that is in remission from stage 2b Hodgkin's. I finished treatment (lymphectomy, 4 cycles of ABVD followed by 1 cycle of radiation) in November. Lately, the past month or so, I've had 3 minor fevers, and can't seem to get healthy. I've taken courses of antibiotics etc. My next CT is in late May and I was wondering if anyone else has been having trouble staying healthy after treatment, once totally remissed.

jfkbluecircle

Hi, Stinenat,
I have been in remission from stage IIIB nodular sclerosing HL 10 years this month. My immune system has never been quite the same, but perhaps it is due to various factors: type of Hodgkin's, I teach college (students are perpetually germ-y Smile

), my age, etc. I seemed to be much healthier prior to cancer and recovery, rarely got the seasonal type illnesses. Since 1998, however, I have yet to skip a cold and flu season regardless of how healthy my lifestyle.

I assume the MD who has been prescribing your antibiotics is aware of your health history? I had a terrible time kicking a cold Spring 2005; it eventually turned into pneumonia (diagnosed with a chest film) and I insisted on blood work and Gallium, CT scans to put my mind at rest about a relapse.

I wonder if our immune systems have to re-experience certain common ailments following the damage to them from treatment, in order to build up resistance again to cold and flu season pathogens? (I am a doctoral student, but in the humanities, not medicine, so your MD would know way better than me.)

I do know, however, how scary it was (and still always is a little) when I get a cough or fever. Sending you best wishes for a great check-up in May and better health until then.
Jessica

stinenat · New User Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

thanks for your insight. Everytime I get sick, I think in the back of my mind that I should worry about it. Lately, I've woken up the past three mornings with fevers that dissapate by about noon. I'm going to see my oncologist on Monday about this. One reason why I'm anxious is this is that due to a crazy schedule and being up at school, this next CT scan comes a full 6 months after my last one.

rlee · Site Admin Joined: 15 Jan 2006 Posts: 245

stinenat,
Certain types of chemotherapies can alter patients immune system for prolonged periods of time, even up to a year. Let your team of health professionals know if any persists. Best wishes,
_________________
RLee, MD

Any information provided is NOT intended to provide specific medical advice to users but rather to provide users with information to help them better understand their health condition and related care. All readers are strongly encouraged to consult with a qualified physician for answers to their personal medical questions.

stinenat · New User Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

I woke up this morning drenched in sweat. I've made an appointment w/ an oncologist tomorrow.

jfkbluecircle

Stinenat,
I have my fingers and toes crossed for you. Please, post the outcome of your appointment.
Wishing you the best of health,
Jessica

stinenat · New User Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 4

I know this is late, but I want to thank everyone for their wisdom. It turned out I was paranoid about being sick constantly and these immune problems just take time.

Vee Smith · Moderator Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 685 Location: UK

I think we all become paranoid if cancer is involved!

kman543210 · New User Joined: 27 Jun 2007 Posts: 5 Location: Oregon

Hey stinenat, I'm new here, so just looking up old posts. How have you been doing since you got sick? Immune system doing okay? I've been done with chemo for 15 years now, but I know everytime I get a CBC, my platelets are always low (had to have several transfusions when I was on chemo). I remember getting really sick the exact same time every December even years after I was in remission. It seemed to happen every year around the same time I was diagnosed, I know weird. My immune system is fine, but you know I never really felt like I was normal after chemo...always seemed a little tired, but I could've felt that way even if I didn't go through it. 18 months of chemo and radiation was a long time.
_________________
Lymphoblastic Lymphoma

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Lymphoma - Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Forum	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others