New to this

[sasha122]

Hello everyone I have just joined, I have only started taking Methotrexate and when I had my bloods done on Wednesday past I was told that my blood count was up abit. Can anyone tell me what this means, is it white or red cell count that the doctor is talking about. Also is anyone feeling tired all the time is this part of what I have.

[Goldenlover]

From what I remember, a CBC (complete blood count) test looks at red n white cells. Elevated White blood count is related to immune response which Mx can suppress. I took Mx for several yrs n had to stop due to increased infections unrelated to RA.

[sasha122 in reply to Goldenlover]

Hi Goldenlover thank you for replying to my question, it has made things a lot clearer.

sasha 122

[thekla2027]

Being tired is a problem for me. I could take a morning and afternoon nap and still go to bed for the night at 8.

[sasha122 in reply to thekla2027]

Thank you for responding to my post, I am not getting a full nights sleep as the pain can be bad I would be sitting up some nights all night, but then even if I get a full night I would still be very tired. Like yourself I would go up to bed early but now the nights are staying brighter earlier it is hard to get over as you would think it is earlier we can not win.

Ann

[Kreitzsi]

RA fatigue is common and mentioned in the literature. Some of the medications like Methotrexate will definitely make you tired the day after. Sometimes it is just a part of the disease

[Preacherman]

Being tired is part of the disease. Your body is fighting the auto-immune disease, therefore you tire. Prior to being diagnosed with R/A I was very tired all the time, all I did was sleep, as the methotrexate kicked in I became less tired, I think because my body wasn't fighting as hard due to the meds taking over. I remember having sweaty hands too which also went away. And then again some meds can make you tired too. It's a rough disease and Goldenlover is correct about the cbc. Your doctor will always be checking that one along with your sed rate which measures your inflamation. 0-20 is a normal range, so if the doctor tells you your sed rate is at like say 68, which mine did about a month ago means you are off the chart and in extreme pain. It's not fun but has since then dropped some. So when the doctors asks if your in pain they already know and maybe are trying to find out how each of us can handle pain. Hope this helps, blessings!

[sasha122 in reply to Preacherman]

Thank you so much for letting me know why I am so tired, now my blood test is still playing up this will be 2 weeks now without taking my methotrexate. I am hoping I can get back onto them soon as I do not know what would be left for me.

[CherylDV]

The doctor probably meant your sedimentation rate or your Rheumatoid factor. The best way to find out is write the question down and ask your doctor at the next appointment, or call and ask them to mail you a copy of your lab results. As for the fatigue it is a BIG part of RA. You will feel like you are fighting the flu every. single. day.

Unfortunately, it is just another symptom of RA. A lot of people who have RA are also diagnosed with fibromyalgia which has a huge symptom of fatigue as well.

I am sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I hope it helps. You can also go to RheumatoidArthritis.net. It will explain a lot of the symptoms and has blogs written by patients and doctors.

Good luck and I hope you find some relief soon.

[Preacherman in reply to CherylDV]

I find it somewhat confusing or maybe kind of surprising. I've been taking methotrexate on and off for about 27 years and I've never felt sick or tired from taking it. Until I came to this web site I honestly didn't realize or really knew how some folks really suffered from side effects, my problem seems to be that they work then they don't ....go figure. Anyway my prayers are with you all. It's just so sad, I hate to see anyone suffer. Maybe they'll come up with a wonder drug with no side effects. :). I know I'm dreaming, but sometimes dreaming is good! Blessings to all!!!!

[sasha122 in reply to CherylDV]

Thank you for responding to my post I am totaly confused with my surgery, as I had said in my last post that my bloods had came back with the result that it was up abit. So I had my bloods taken again and was told to ring on wednesday last to know the result, I rang and the nurse had said that it was still up when I asked her which one was up she said that she did not know and that she would get someone to ring me back.

When another nurse rang me back she told me that there was nothing wrong and that I could start again with the medaction, I wanted to be sure and asked her to check with the doctor and if possable for a doctor would ring me back as I was concerned. That the nurses can not give me the right information, so the long and short of this my bloods are fine and that I can start my methotrexate again.

But it has left me feeling very unsure of my surgery now when having to take blood for results in the future.

[CherylDV in reply to sasha122]

Ok, rules are different in U.S. Here we can request a written copy of all medical test results. As for your surgery I would definitely get a doctor to ring you and assure you of the results. If anyone questions this, explain that they have a history of screw ups. So glad you can take your medicines again. Wishing a pain free future.

[sasha122 in reply to CherylDV]

Thank you for responding to my post I will certainly write thing down what I want to ask in furture, than goodness for this site I know now why I am feeling so tired and unwell, you are not the bearer of bad news in fact you have helped me alot.

[Dedeols]

You need to ask your doctor what that means. He or she needs to explain exactly what he meant and the ramifications of an increased blood count. If not for the piece of mind and your own education. I think they(doctors) forget most of us don't have a medical degree. Please take care

[sasha122 in reply to Dedeols]

Thank you so much for your reply I agree doctors do not have a clue how to explain to patients about how this works when you have just been diagnosed.