Hey everyone, Well, now I'm being sent to a hematologist because my blood tests are not right, high white and platlette and low red cells. My GP says his concern is leukemia. Anyone had this happen before or am I just lucky? Comments please...my big girl panties are sagging. Thanks.
Hi Betsy
You are in my prayers. Lets hope that the blood test results are just a result of the medication you have been taking. Drugs can certainly have an effect on "normal" FBC, etc.
I'm waiting on my latest tests (seeing GP on Wednesday) so mine might be haywire, too.
PMR can cause anaemia (low red cells) and you may have an infection or your immune system is overcharged (white cells elevated). Don't know much about platelets, I'm afraid, other than not enough means you can't clot properly.
Thinking of you. Hugs and Love, Judi xx
Thanks for prayers Reni and Judy.Looks like I'm going to need them. My GP had me come in on Sat morning while he was in doing paper work. He said, "I'm not going to lie to you, I suspect leukemia." So, he's setting me up with the hematolgist. I haven't researched yet, but prednisone can probably cause leukemia too. It will take a few days to get in to new doctor, so I won't know for a while. He will do more blood work and a bone marrow biopsy my GP said. I will keep in touch. Thanks for caring. Love
Dear Betsy,|
my dear Betsy so sorry to read your last message,,,,my prayers are with you, my husband had that same scare when he was diaganosed with prostate, had to go to specialist, re his high blood white platelets, and concern over the red ones as well,,,they had to do this testing as they didn't think they could operate on him due to clotting.....however this was five years ago and he is fine since they did radiation instead of op. he goes yearly back for blood tests and he is doing great, seems that is how he is and he is very healthy at 74.....but he religiously goes each year for retesting....understand how you are feeling as we were bewildered as you are......note the only meds he has ever been on is baby aspirin for stroke and is very healthy, but does have that high platelet count.....keep us all informed &nbs p; love rose |
Betsy,
You are in our prayers, please keep us posted. Anticipation is dreadful.
Thinking of you,
Janet-Cal
Hi Janet, Thanks. That's one of my favorite verses. "This too shall pass". If it were, "This too shall stay" none of us could stand it. You are all too sweet. I'll let you know. I haven't found anywhere in my research that prednisone causes cancer, but I know I've read it somewhere in the past. I'll be so mad if I do find that out. Love
Hi Betsy
Thinking of you..... my research indicates prednisone is a treatment for some cancers, so chin up! Much love to you. Judi xx
If you are on methotrexate it can cause problems with your bone marrow with anemia being one of the symptoms. This happened with me and they had to take me off MTX and put me on the antidote, Folinic acid.
I am currently waiting for my referral to the hematologist. Yes, it is scary.
Betsy,
I was sent to hematologist by GP for anemia, he did blood work and and I was low on red blood cells and platelets. Then he did bone marrow test for lukemia which was negative, he finally said possible immune problem and referred me to Rhuematologist, who diagnosed Polymyalgia, Hemo said low blood could be caused by inflamation. That was over two and half years ago and two years of pred. Finally off the pred but blood stiil an issue and inflamation still causing upper body soreness. I have to see hemo again next week. I wouldnt worry too much it seems that anemia is part of polymyalgia.
Dave
Thanks Judi, Deanna, and Dave. I've never been on methotrexate, just prednisone, so I can't eliminate that. You are so right Deanna, It is so scary. Thank you for caring. I'll surely remember you in my prayers too. Let us know what happens.
Dave, they said I have low red count, high white, and out of sight platlette count. The GP said that is a really bad triad. It seems when you have all three that is not a good thing. I so hope you are right about the leukemia. Something is so very wrong. I'm ordinarily full of fun and energy despite the PMR, but this is awful. It could be the combination of PM and anemia. Both make you very fatigued. Thank you for the info and encouragement. You're the first one I've talked to that has had this experience. I will be thrilled if my diagnosis turns out as well as yours did.
Bless your sweet heart Judi and thanks. Have a great day everyone.
Hi Friends, I finally got the results from most of my tests yesterday. I do have a slightly leaky valve in my heart, but nothing pressing right now. He's making me an appointment with a cadiologist about the constant irregular heart beats, but thinks it can be controlled with medication. Still could be caused by the prednisone, in which case I don't know what happens. I'm at 6 mg, so have a few months left.
The latest blood results made me feels better. There were no disfunctional cells like are found in leukemia. Not a sure thing, but very encouraging. The big problem might be low iron just as someone wrote to me a couple of days ago. Like I always say, you can learn more truths on this forum than anywhere else. I have to go back and look up that name and give her a big hug
aw ... thank up above for the good news,,,,,glad to hear u are feeling better in your mind....God bless.....rose
Sooo glad those tests came back non leukemia. Oh boy.
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