Low WBC & Lymphocytes

[Angellealea1]

Hiya I've been taking azathioprine since December last year, I'm on 150mg daily now, last week, had a phone call off gp to say my WBC & Lymphocytes are very low, having another blood test Tuesday to see how I go. I feel pretty rubbish at the moment.

Anyone else had this issue?

cheers

[whiteyswifey]

Hi angel

I have been taking azathioprine for last 8 years and sometimes my bloods show low WBC and lymphocytes too. Try not to worry yourself GP and consultant will be monitoring these

[Angellealea1 in reply to whiteyswifey]

Hiya hun, thanks for your reply, will they stop my meds & start it again once bloods are back to normal?

I'm starting to build up a good torance towards this drug now, hate stopping & starting lol xx

[whiteyswifey in reply to Angellealea1]

I have never had mine stopped but I guess that is down to your GP to decide depending on results of next blood test

[soootired]

Yes. I stopped taking it end of November last year and they still are.

I was told that the white cell count is the neutrophils and lymphocytes etc collectively. Then theres a breakdown of each component on its own. For me it was both neutrophils and lymphocytes that were low. Also, my B12 was low which caused my red cells to be low because this makes them too large so they have difficulty being released from the bone marrow where they're produced.

My rheum wanted me to wait a month or so off meds to see what the culprit was, the red cells were sorted by a B12 injection and daily B12, but the white cells are still misbehaving even after 2 months off. He was happy to try me on immunosuppressive meds again though, for now, and see how I go.

[Angellealea1 in reply to soootired]

Hiya hun, wow unbelievable isn't It, what we have to go through with our meds.

My WBC & Lymphocytes are very Low, I'm quite anemic, but my platelets are high, I'm certainly feeling a little rubbish, yesterday I had terrible cramp in my legs, felt so lethargic & sick, just hoping it passes.

I hope your ok now?

[Freckle1000 in reply to Angellealea1]

Hello.

My white blood cell count dipped a little lately. Been weak and out of breath - also cramps - my gums are aching and it feels like my teeth are going to drop out. My specialist reduced the prednisolone sparing drugs ( mycophenolate ) by half but slightly increased the prednisolone. Its pretty cunning of her - relieving the bulk of the immunosuppression but slightly increasing the most effective drug. I think ? this is in hope of getting the white blood cell count up after a little bit too much immunosuppression - while keeping the potential of some still active Lupus under control. This has happened in the past and reduction of medication has always worked for me - 'eventually' at least.