Ataxia and high white cell count / pneumonia? - Ataxia UK

Ataxia UK

4,090 members4,664 posts

Ataxia and high white cell count / pneumonia?

Larobby profile image
15 Replies

Hi All,

My brother has ataxia and has been sent to hospital with pneumonia. He also has a very high white cell count and a fever. Antibiotics are not working, and they found several swollen lymphnodes. He is going for a full body scan today. I am very worried.

Written by
Larobby profile image
Larobby
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
15 Replies
wobblybee profile image
wobblybee

I'm so sorry, is he still in Italy? xB

Larobby profile image
Larobby in reply towobblybee

Thank you. Yes, I'm in Italy with him at the moment. We should know more after the CT scan. Just wondering if others have had similar cases...

Litty profile image
Litty

So sorry to hear. Good luck.

Pneumonia is a problem for all of us and sounds like he is in a good place and hopefully the antibiotics will start working x

Larobby profile image
Larobby in reply toLitty

Thanks Litty. We are relatively new to this 'game' and often confused. I didn't realise there was a connection between pneumonia and ataxia. Hopefully the results from the CT scan will be ok. X

Litty profile image
Litty in reply toLarobby

Good luck with scan.

Flu jabs are good to try to keep off infections x

Leona89 profile image
Leona89

Hi Larobby, Hope the C.T. scan results went well for your brother. My daughters inflammatory markers have been consistently high over the years causing her Ataxia to increase. She is now on disease modifying drugs which have decreased the markers. My daughter has had to have I.V. antibiotics a few times over the years. Hope your brother is feeling better very soon.

Angelcake1 profile image
Angelcake1

Hi

My husband too has had pneumonia and with sepsis at times. Hope things go well for your brother Larobby. X

Today my husband seems poorly and I'm wondering if he has a chest infection, it's difficult as he never complains and if I ask him 'do you feel unwell' he always indicates that he doesn't. He ven said that as they were taking him to ITU last year, he also runs a very low temperature normally and so medics don't recognise a high temp for him.

I'm interested in the drug you speak of Leona as my husband has been offered a drug, his neurologist has said he feels his ataxia has become worse, due to infection. The deterioration is showin on MRI scan so I'm thinking this is permanent rather than reversible with meds.

Leona89 profile image
Leona89 in reply toAngelcake1

Sorry it's taken so long to reply. The drug my daughter is on is Mycophenolate Acid, she was commenced on this drug 3 years ago when she was 7 years old. Prior to commencing on this medication my daughter became more Ataxic with each infection as her ESR levels increased. When she was commenced on this drug I was extremely worried that she would become more susceptible to infection however this has not been the case. The Ataxia appears to have plateaued, whether this is due to the drug or just coincidence, I am not sure. I hope this answers your questions. Good luck to you and your husband.

Guyb profile image
Guyb

I opened this forum to ask if anyone has any idea why I keep urinal infections and chest infections I take lots of antibiotics sometimes 4 different courses it clears up then a few weeks later it all flares up again I sweat like mad in bed ive had ataxia now for some years myGp is useless the practice is under special measures

Angelcake1 profile image
Angelcake1 in reply toGuyb

Hi Guyb, my husband gets urinary tract infection (UTI)as well as the pneumonia. Unless the doctor sends off a urine sample it cannot be treated successfully. The lab cultures the sample to see which antibiotic it is resistant too.

Our doctor called this morning and has prescribed antibiotics without even seeing him. Oh well better than nothing at all

Guyb profile image
Guyb in reply toAngelcake1

That’s just like my Gp he’s never there he just prescribes over the phone I’m worried as to why all these infections keep coming back x

Angelcake1 profile image
Angelcake1

How about starting this off as a new post, see if you get more replies

DOTS01 profile image
DOTS01

Hi! I found myself in a smilar situation to you 6months ago. My brother,was in hospital after a fall,and he developed a chest infection ???pnuemonia. if there is active infection...our whitecell count rises, antibiotics usually work. The normal cycle includes coughing to rid the lungs of any gunk. However, if your diaphram muscles are weakened by Atazia, then the body becomes less efficient in getting rid of the rubbish. The rubbish collects at the base of the lungs as can be seen on x-ray. So the antibiotics have done their job but are not clearing the lungs.

As we know Ataxian symptoms get worse when there is lack of sleep or mounting stress so your brother needs all that is familiar....leave a mobile with your brother no on it so the nursing staff can call you and he can hear your voice. Ask nurses if they could get put with your brother so he gets consistancy.....explain why. He may get very frustrated at time.

His drinking is extremely important to prevent further infections and to replenish the fluids lost through fever. You will find there is not ehough nursing staff to ensure this but the patient in the next bed might?????

Unfortunateley I will end on a legal note.Does you brother have a person who holds his power of attourney, if not get one.....speak to your solicitor. This puts you in control NOT the drs you may not be next of kin but power of attourney is a close 2nd.

I will be thinking of you both......if you think I could help you in any way do not hesitate to p.castledine@googlemail.com

Lockmaster profile image
Lockmaster

Hi all

Had my PIP assessment yesterday and looks like things are going to go well but will find out in 6 weeks time!

The bloke was really nice and couldn't apologise enough for having to assess me when I have this condition.

Fingers crossed

Larobby profile image
Larobby

Sadly the CT scan revealed several lymphomas. Biopsy next week :(

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Riluzole and Ataxia

Hi Ataxia Friends I recently saw my neurologist and he suggested trying Riluzole, a drug in trial...
Mneutz profile image

Speech and ataxia.

Hi, I’m new to this site, checking in from Canada. Have been struggling with ataxia for several...
Jackieb301 profile image

menopause and ataxia!!

Partner has sca diagnosed 2007 , patient of Prof Hadjivassiliou at Sheffield. She is now...
TedTom profile image

Regarding ataxia and memory

Does any one her with ataxia suffer from forgetfulness or memory loss? My mum and big sister have...
Junie1984 profile image

ataxia and love? how does it work?

I have addressed this issue before. I find that sadly that my husband's way of dealing with my...
neta profile image

Moderation team

See all
HarryB profile image
HarryBAdministrator
VE93 profile image
VE93Administrator
WendyBom profile image
WendyBomModerator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.