Individuals who have had chemotherapy or blood transfusions: allergies?!
Question: In 2004 I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasm) which required chemotherapy. I also had two blood transfusions during chemo. Luckily I am now cancer free.
Before the chemotherapy treatment I had no medication allergies of any kind.
After chemo, I became allergic to a long list of medications like neosporin, certain antibiotics, iodine, latex, codeine etc. - to mention just a few (the list is pretty long).
I was not allergic to any of these before. Has anyone experienced this after chemo?
Has anyone who's had a blood transfusion experienced increased allergies?
I googled this with no luck. Just looking if anyone has had similar experiences.
Thanks much.
Answers: In 2004 I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer (Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasm) which required chemotherapy. I also had two blood transfusions during chemo. Luckily I am now cancer free.
Before the chemotherapy treatment I had no medication allergies of any kind.
After chemo, I became allergic to a long list of medications like neosporin, certain antibiotics, iodine, latex, codeine etc. - to mention just a few (the list is pretty long).
I was not allergic to any of these before. Has anyone experienced this after chemo?
Has anyone who's had a blood transfusion experienced increased allergies?
I googled this with no luck. Just looking if anyone has had similar experiences.
Thanks much.
Much of these allergies are arising either because it is the first time you have had some of the meds, or because of the prolongued exposure you are having right now compared to the probably limited exposure you had before (iodine for example). Allergies have a larger chance of arising with each exposure.
The problem could also be that during chemo your immune system is much much lower than normal. With your immune system that low, it is definatly possible to react to something you normally would have. Unfortunaly, once you do have the allergy, it usually stays even when your immune system is back. You could test your self, but only do so under direct supevision of your doctor.
The only way a blood transfusion would really have anything to do with it is if the white blood cells were still in the unit. Most cancer patients (and now a days, most transfusions) are irradiated. The white blood cells have been removed by a machine using a centrifuse. If your unit still had white blood cells, that could be interferring with your immune system.
hey ur not alone, i was diagnose with astrocytoma (spinal cancer) at 18 months old. they kept me on chemo till i was 3. yea its common to get those allergic reactions. but some of em go away. like latex im not allergic anymore. (use to break out in hives). but i never had a blood transfusion. im glad ur cancer free though. it must be from chemotherapy, i became half blind and half deaf with no sense of smell. so i think chemo does something to your genes, idk, it something you gotta ask the doctors, some people have different reactions.
I was diagnosed in 1997 with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and have had to endure chemo twice and yes I have suffered some of these same problems besides the chemo causing my hair to fall out it also caused the loss of my teeth. I also have developed allergic reactions to several medications that never used to bother me such as codeine and its derivatives such as oxycodone and hydrocodone and several other pain killers which is bad because I am unfortunately in constant severe pain. I also am in remission at this time but unfortunately there is no cure unless I can find a bone marrow donor match and then there is no guarantee. I hope you continue to be cancer free and live a long and prosperous life. Oh, Happy New Year