Low white blood cell count

[lesleyjoy]

I know it's a while since this subject was discussed but I'd like to bump it up as I've had 2 blood tests this year that show lowered neurophils (white blood count). They're not wildly out of kilter but enough for the Dr's nurse to ring and ask it I'd had an infection etc (which I haven't).  I've had blood tests in between the 2 mentioned above, that have been within the normal range. It's reassuring to know that other here also experience it and that it's probably Sjogrens related 
All the other bloodwork is fine, except it's sero-negative for autoimmune disease 

Scottie, how have your neutophil levels been over the last 2 years?

Lesley (New Zealand)

PS this should probably go under the tests/diagnosis board 

[lighthouse33]

Thanks for the additional info. It helps to know if others are experiencing low neutrophils and other blood and chemical variations. I wonder if a healthy person regularly blood tests, whether their bloodwork would show up serious variations over time like ours seem to.

My friend's daughter recently had leukaemia, and he says that neutrophils can get really before they become a problem. He says its the red cells you need to keep an eye on if the whites are going down as that's when you start running into more serious trouble.

warm regards to all

Desertnose

This is exactly what the oncologist said to me when my white blood cell count dropped so low that the rhuemy wanted to rule out lymphoma.  After my examination, lymphoma was ruled out, but if my red blood cells become abnormal then she would be very concerned and the rhuemy (who will do the blood tests) should send me back to her.  That was her main concern plus she asked a lot of questions about how many infections I'd had recently. 

[Scottietottie]

Hi Lesley 

The only thing that's 'out' on my blood tests at the moment is the thyroid panel. Everything else seems fine and dandy.

Take care - Scottie 

[lesleyjoy]

Scottie, that's good to hear...I guess we soggies have to have something  'out' in our bloodwork. I wonder if being on the plaquinel helps with the lower neutrophils  I have to have a repeat test in 1 month...the levels will probably be back to normal 

Cheers Lesley

[Collie]

My white count has been quite low for more than 10 years; after the bone marrow biopsy, I was told "There is nothing wrong with you, ignore it," Every once in a while I get a doc who is freaked out about it, I just tell them, my white count has been low for years with no reason.

When i started on Methotrexate, my doc said my white count could go down even more, and if it went under 2.0, I needed to quit taking the methotrexate. I have blood drawn every month to check my white count.

Collie

[lesleyjoy]

Collie, it's reassuring to know that there's nothing sinister going on apart from the autoimmune stuff (if that's not enough)  Thanks for your reply,

Cheers, Lesley xx

[uker]

As I mentioned elsewhere I had severe Neutropaenia recently with 0.3 (hospitalised) but mine was put down to
Methotrexate, although lots of RA sufferers take this for years and do not have this problem.  I have
been on Plaquenil for about 18 months now as well.  I can only assume I plummeted so fast because of something
to do with the Sjogren's.  Have now had to stop taking methotrexate.

[lesleyjoy]

Uker, I read somewhere that people with Lupus can have this problem (low neurophils) and Sjs is a cousin of Lupus. I've never had low neurophils before this year...the dryness issues began a couple of years ago! It's hard to say what I've got because all the bloodwork is negative for AI 's. Many of my symptoms point to Sjs and some Lupus, so who knows 

Thanks for your reply,
Lesley (NZ)

[Islandgirl46]

I've recently been hospitalized for the first time; the reason was neutropenia.   I was diagnosed wth SJS 6 months ago.  Mostly just my eyes are affected (no more tears).  But I get these unexplained fevers, 3 or 4 times a year.   A couple of weeks ago I got another fever, but along with it there was nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, diarhea, chills, sweats, etc.  After a week, the doctor admitted me to hospital.  I was in hospital for 5 days, on IV and also antibiotics since the internist wanted to be on the safe side (didn't know if infection was viral or bacterial).  One odd thing I noticed while I was sick those 2 weeks, is that my eyes felt fantastic!   Normally, they ALWAYS bother me though.   The day before my release from hospital, when I was feeling much better, my eyes started to bother me again - very dry and irritated.   It's as though Sjogren's leaves my eyes alone when it's attacking something else in my body; strange.    The doctors told me that the hospital was the worst place I could be, having neutropenia, with the sickest people all around me.   This has me worried about next time I get a fever, wondering what I should do.   I also wonder if there's anything I can do to prevent a reoccurance.   I am also thinking about the Swine Flu vaccine; whether it's a good idea for me to have the shot or avoid it?  So many questions, I know.