White blood count

[Luger1067]

Does anyone know if there’s a link between elevated white blood cell count and stress

[hunter5582]

The simple answer is yes.

Leukocytosis may also occur as a result of physical and emotional stress. This is a transient process that is not related to marrow production or the release of band cells or other immature cells. Causes of stress leukocytosis include overexertion, seizures, anxiety, anesthesia and epinephrine administration.

aafp.org/afp/2000/1101/p205....

You can find multiple sources on this. The bottom line is that stress activates the production of WBCs, platelets and RBCs because your body thinks it is under attack. Stress causes your body to prepare for an attack from a sabertooth tiger. The problem being, there is no sabertooth tiger currently trying to eat us. Stress is the killer, not the tiger. Speaks to why effective stress management is so important when you have a MPN.

All the best.

[Margo18 in reply to hunter5582]

Hi. I am suffering a lot with stress after being diagnosed with MF in February. I had 12 uneventful years with ET and then PV but this has been a terrible shock. Any stress management tips would be gratefully received. I have tried sleeping pills but they do not stop the 4 am waking followed by hours of overthinking I am grateful for the years I have had and realise at age 70 things can go down hill. I’m just having trouble accepting the implications of this and the uncertainty

If anyone else has felt like this I would love to hear a few coping strategies

Best wishes

Margo

[hunter5582 in reply to Margo18]

I have also gone through periods of greatly elevated stress. At one point when I was not managing well, I ended up in terrible shape. It made me rethink my coping strategies and how to manage stress in my life. Stress simply cannot be avoided, but can be dealt with.

Stress does make sleep more difficult. Sleep is essential to health. In addition, people with MPNs are more prone to insomnia due to the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines. I have had chronic insomnia for most of my adult life, worse in the last 20 years. Practicing good sleep hygiene can be very helpful. Cognitive Behavior therapy for sleep can also be very helpful. That is the place to start. If not enough, then sleep aids can be helpful. Melatonin helps to improve the quality of sleep, but does not make you fall asleep (my experience). I tried just about every sleep aid there is. Unfortunately, the common hypnotic sleep meds (e.g. Ambien) will knock you out but disrupt sleep architecture. The sleep is not restorative. I found that there is only one type of sleep aid that actually works to induce restful sleep, Dual Orexin Receptor Agonists.

sciencedirect.com/topics/ne....

I have been taking Belsomra for some time now. It is very effective. I do not ever recommend relying on a sleep aid until trying everything else. In my own case, the insomnia was severe, chronic, not related to stress level, and nothing else worked. If all else fails, these meds are worth checking into.

In addition to having PV, I have had some rather interesting and unique opportunities to learn about other health issues in the last several years. It certainly helped me refine my coping skills. This is my list.

1. Support from my family, friends, and faith community.

2. This forum (my friends and MPN Family)

3. Maintain your sense of humor and find ways to have fun no matter what.

4. Surround yourself with things that are positive and lift you up.

5. Mindfulness practices - I practice Qigong.

6. Say the Serenity Prayer every day and take it to heart!

7. Educate yourself about your condition(s). Knowledge is power.

8. Create a high-quality treatment team who you trust.

9. Advocate for yourself. Assertive patients receive higher quality care. Passive patients do not. Remember that you are in charge of your care. It is your goals, priorities and preferences that must drive your treatment. Empower yourself to deal with the MPN.

I have been blessed to have a relatively indolent form of a MPN. I have lead a long rich life and plan to continue to do so despite what happens with the MPN. Sure - there have been some challenges with the MPN and the other related and unrelated medical issues I face. Sometimes you do, as the military folks say, have to "Embrace the Suck" or just "Suck It Up Buttercup." However - it is not all "Suck." There is plenty of good in life to enjoy and embrace. As the prayer says, I seek the serenity to accept what I cannot change, courage to change what I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

More than anything else at this point, know that you can manage this. There are ever-more treatment options and very real hope for MPN treatment improving in the foreseeable future. It sounds like you are putting together a good plan. Have confidence that you will be one of many who do manage the MPN successfully.

[Margo18]

Hi Hunter your very helpful post has brought a tear to my eye for your kindness in taking the time to send me such a detailed response. I intend to save it and re read it regularly. I really appreciate your help. Keep well

Margo