Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Southeast Alabama
Low White Blood Count Posted: 03-18-04 04:50am
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
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insurancegirl
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 5286
Posted: 03-19-04 05:22am
Kathryn,
what were your symptoms? I'm trying to
find out what is wrong with me!
Jennifer
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kathryn6112
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Southeast Alabama
Posted: 03-19-04 11:05am
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
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insurancegirl
Especially EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 5286
Posted: 03-20-04 01:33am
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
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kathryn6112
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Southeast Alabama
Posted: 03-20-04 12:58pm
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
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Bookjunky
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Ohio
Posted: 04-15-04 15:38pm
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.
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Jay and Nay
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Linwood,Pa. 19061
to Kathryn6112 Posted: 06-08-04 08:52am
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
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Jay and Nay
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 18 Mar 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Linwood,Pa. 19061
to Kathryn6112 Posted: 06-08-04 08:54am
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
