Yes! all counts in normal range but...

[Mica11]

Went for my check at the hospital on Tuesday and was so happy to find all my counts within 'normal' range. I had 2 colds in a row and am left with a dry tickly cough that makes me retch and have a couple of spells a day coughing. I have experienced a few spells of breathlessness, the latest being 2/3rds of the way down the first length of the swimming pool. I had to roll over in the water and float. It's a scary feeling. I walk my dog every day, go to Pilates once a week and circuit training once a week, just added the swimming last week for the first time. My view was an increase in gentle exercise would give me more energy. Still have days I am too tired to do much.

The consultant listened to my breathing and said he couldn't hear anything untoward but sent me straight away for an ECG and a chest X-ray. He said a rare few have a reaction to the Hydroxycarbamide which can affect the lungs and heart and this is what he is checking for. I am waiting to hear the results.

Has anyone had similar please?

Grace.

[mhos61]

Hi Grace,

Congratulations on your ‘normal counts.’ It’s a great feeling! Really hope it isn’t the hydroxy causing your breathlessness; that would be a shame, as it’s obviously working on the elevated counts.

Good to know that you’re incorporating some exercise into your daily life too.

Mary x

[Mica11 in reply to mhos61]

Thanks Mary, I was really pleased and pleasantly surprised as my last count had reduced but not significantly. I wouldn't like having to change meds if I'm honest as I don't seem to have any obvious adverse reactions to it.

Grace x

[jane13]

Happened to me a couple of times but not, thanks goodness, in a pool!! Similar exercise regime to you, only happened to me when my platelet count was poor and i was doing keep fit. Good luck.

[Mica11 in reply to jane13]

Thanks Jane, my platelets are good, so it's not that unfortunately. It's the not knowing and how to sort it. Still not heard anything back from my ECG and chest X-ray, so I'm hoping there is nothing bad lurking there. Could well be just one of those things that we can't find an explanation for.

[EleanorPV in reply to Mica11]

Hope you hear soon.

[Roger41]

Sending e hugs for you.

Monitoring our conditions are a good thing as we are in the system already.

Remember you are not alone.

Take care Annemarie (Roger41)

[Mica11 in reply to Roger41]

Thanks Annemarie, I'm still waiting to hear back from ECG and X-ray which I am taking as good news about my heart and lungs. If it were serious I would have had a phonecall.

Still doesn't explain it though. The only way is onwards! Grace.

[LucyGeering]

Hi Grace,

Congratulations on the normal counts! That’s heartening news. I had such a poor reaction to swimming recently that I’m wary to try it again - it wasn’t a very hot pool and I was feeling a bit rough when I went in, but afterwards I felt so much worse. It was very annoying. Do you feel breathless at other times? Sometimes I get breathless on the daily dog walk - it sounds like you and I have very similar exercise routines with the walks and Pilates -, and I find the breathlessness varies from day to day. I’ve put it down to fluctuations in platelet levels - mine are averaging 600. My haemo is pleased with my counts so my only treatment is baby aspirin, and I puff my asthma inhaler (Salbutamol) if I get really breathless or get chest pains. Good that it’s being investigated and that they’re taking it seriously. Please keep us posted and good luck.

[Mica11]

Hi Lucy, thanks for your message. It has only been really bad twice, in the pool and previously to that, I was out walking the hairy beast with my friend and her little dog. We had ours on their leads in this field as we could see a dog neither of ours likes very much. Well, didn't unthoughtful owner just let his bound up to ours snapping and snarling, no biting, just bluster. I am aware my guy is big and powerful and has always been measured in his response (often just pulls them under him and lies down) but this dog is a particular dislike and it was going for his little girlfriend this time, he wasn't having that and I got pulled suddenly as he went to her defence. I was struggling to pull him back. After this dog retreated from my guys snapping jaws, my friend asked if I was ok. I opened my mouth to tell her and no words came out. I had no breath at all. Took me a minute to get my breath back. A bit scary. Sometimes I puff and pant on the smallest of inclines and other days not. I know my platelets were within normal levels this time with the swimming because the blood test had already been taken. Count was 354.

Who knows Lucy, hopefully I will get a letter with my results soon. Today I am good. Going to walk the boy and then Pilates and a shopping trip with a friend afterwards. I will be feet up on the sofa later! Grace.