Multiple Sclerosis Forum - Low White Blood Count

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Q: Low White Blood Count

asked by: kathryn6112 on March 18th, 2004

New User

Hi all - am new to this forum. I am 44, female, and diagnosed with ms in october of last year. My question is for the interferon users out there - has anyone had an abnormally low white blood count?

I started with avonex, then switched to rebif two months ago. My blood count was okay last month (neuro didn't give me the numbers) but I saw a hematologist last week about b12 deficiency (don't have it) and he said my white blood count was very low, 2.2.

Well, the rebif lifelines people called yesterday and we chatted for awhile, then I told them about the low wbc and they said don't take any more rebif before talking to your neuro. So I called my neuro and he said "stop taking the rebif!" he wants to do another blood test next week and then go from there.

My question is, has this happened to anyone else, and they rebounded with higher blood counts and were able to continue with rebif? The lifelines nurse assured me that this sometimes happens in the first month of full dosage (44) but of course, they are trying to sell a product. My neuro hasn't been for rebif since I switched and I know he will try to get me off it completely.

Any personal experiences or other information would be appreciated. I would like to stay on rebif as it is the strongest medicine out there right now, but will at least go back to avonex if necessary. Thanks in advance.

Kathryn

Replies(10)

insurancegirl

replied on March 19th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Kathryn,

what were your symptoms? I'm trying to find out what is wrong with me!

Jennifer Laughing

kathryn6112

replied on March 19th, 2004

New User

Jennifer,

i actually had no symptoms of the low white blood count that I can pinpoint. It just showed up when I went in to test for b12 deficiency.

What kind of problems are you having? Are you diagnosed with ms, or still searching? Take care.

Kathryn

insurancegirl

replied on March 20th, 2004

Extremely eHealthy

Searching, my symptoms are listed in the other topic, if you can take a quick look and tell me if it is anything like you!

I would appreciate it!

Jennifer

kathryn6112

replied on March 20th, 2004

New User

Jennifer, just taking a quick look at your earlier post, I would have to ask what other tests did these doctors do? First of all, there is no definite test for ms, it is simply what the doctors tell you is wrong when they can't find anything else. A spinal tap is not necessary (but it isn't particularly painful or dangerous as long as it's done right). The results can sometimes indicate ms but it doesn't confirm it. Nothing does. Have you been tested for lyme disease or b12 deficiency? Both of those have symptoms similar to what you describe, and b12 deficiency can cause a thick, irritated, red tongue.

Without insurance, I don't know how to really advise you, but if your symptoms get bad enough, go to the emergency room. Both lyme and b12 can be tested by blood tests, although more sophisticated tests are needed if they come back negative the first time. Good luck.

Kathryn

Bookjunky

replied on April 15th, 2004

New User

I have had problems in the past with things related to poor immune function. I had a systemic infection and no white blood cells to fight it with.

I have to wonder if lessened immune function is just another one of the under discussed aspects of ms.

Jay and Nay

replied on June 8th, 2004

New User

to Kathryn6112

I have been on rebif since 2002. There was a couple of times when my blood cell count was low. I thought I would have to switch medicines. The first time my blood count came back low it was retested and it came back fine the second time. I had it done at the hospital when it was low. Second time it was done at my doctors office it was fine. I don't know if it makes a difference but the results come back better at the doctors office. Even my neurologist doesn't understand why that is. I just stopped my medicine again because I want to conceive. I have to be off my m.S. Medicine for three months before trying to get pregnant. I feel the same way about rebif I like that medicine better than any of them. I also take a medicine called bextra two hours before my needle instead of advil. It seems to work. Nadine grear

Jay and Nay

replied on June 8th, 2004

New User

to Kathryn6112

Dannydrumstix

replied on May 21st, 2009

New User

My wife is on rebif, and now has a low white count

The doctors want to do a biopsy of her thyroid. Are they jumping the gun with a biopsy? Thanks.
Dan

RyanPm

replied on June 1st, 2009

New User

MS is a highly common misdiagnosis of Lyme Disease, just so you know. I suggest going to search for the ILADS website and find a Lyme-literate doctor in your area, for most doctors don't know much about it. The most common tests (elisa and western blot) have false negatives and positives and are horrible tests for Lyme. Find someone who does Igenx testing.

ireneee

replied on July 1st, 2009

New User

i was diagnosed with ms 2 years ago. promptly started avonex. discovered low white bood count 2 months ago during a routine physical. immediately stopped taking avonex and soon after experienced my first "flare-up". cell count went back to normal after being off avonex for a month. now i'm on copaxone, which is another type of drug all together from the interferon family. but, today recieved a call from my neuro that my blood count is low again, 2.2. which was taken before i started copaxone. reading about the interferons i learned that those drugs can alter you blood counts. i also had gotten sick with a flu and cold around the time i experienced my flare up. don't know if it's a perfect storm? not sure.
i was terribly concerned about going off the avonex. i truly felt alot of confidence in it. but reading more about copaxone i do feel a bit better about the change. i hope you can find an answer to your particular white blood cell count. i wish you well.

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