Re: Upcoming hematologist appointment

January 19, 2010

It is certainly important to remember that the CLL could be a cause of the

fatigue. These " spots " might also be indicative of a vasculitis or other type

of immune problem, which could also factor into the fatigue. It is important to

have them fully evaluated and feel free to discuss all of this with your

hematologist.

Rick Furman

>

> Hello,

>

> Next week I'm scheduled to see my hematologist and, for the past 1-1/2 years I

have been at a level of fatigue which allows me to work (barely sometimes) and

to do not much else (am 52 years old and, up until then, ran and lifted

weights). Although I have cll my blood isn't too bad (WBC ~12 to 13, SEG% 25,

Lymph% 70, PLT 163, Mono% 2, Basos% 3). Aside from fatigue I feel very hot at

night and at certain times during the day (don't have drenching night sweats),

have tiny vivid red dots on my chest that seem to be permanent, always have

something infected, pain under the left rib cage (a CAT scan several months ago

showed that spleen was " unremarkable " which should be good, had a bout with

slightly larger vivid red spots on my legs, and, pain in forearms, shoulders and

back (feels like it's in the bone). During the same CAT scan my lymph nodes have

were not swollen but I have bouts of pain under the right armpit, groin and

under the jaw. Also, as an added bonus, I have pkd that is, so far, symptom

free.

>

> After such a long intro my questions are:

> 1. What questions should I ask my hematologist?

> 2. Are there any treatments, short of chemo, that can restore a cll patient to

near-normal condition?

> 3. I tried talking about markers last visit and wasn't getting a lot of

information. Is it normal to ask for a copy of your entire medical record? My

family doc gives me copies of my blood work but I don't know what to ask for

from my hematologist....

> 4. Are there other blood diseases that are commonly misdiagnosed as cll that

could cause moderate fatigue in someone with decent blood (like me)?

>

> Any help would be greatly appreciated!

>

> Thanks,

> Chris

>

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