Bronchitis, hospitalization and pancytopenia

[leefsu97]

hi everyone,

I am currently on peg 45mcg/week and somehow got a nasty bronchitis that I was unable to shake. I was sent by my GP to the hospital ER to receive IV antibiotics and they decided to admit me because of my past history of having a heart attack and current stent (that’s another story). While there I was given multiple treatments from breathing treatments to IV antibiotics, blood work every 6 hours, 2 CTs and visits from the multiple physicians including infectious disease, cardiology, internal med and hematology. My white blood cells came back at a 1, platelets 130 and hematocrit 36%. They diagnosed me having pancytopenia and I was given a shot of filgrastim which boosted my white blood cells to a 4. I am still having fever and cough a week after the hospital but what’s worse my local heme hasn’t tried to setup a post hospital in patient visit. I wanted to let others know my experience in case you also had a prior heart attack and the fact you will be admitted for that alone. The only part i believe worked was the filgrastim shot. Has anyone else had a similar experience and how did you get rid of the illness? Thanks!

[leefsu97]

I also wanted to add my ct results which I forgot to list above. I had a ct of the abdomen and it came back with splenomegaly with my spleen measuring 15 cm and a right hepatic hypodensity with a possible hepatic cyst. Does anyone else have similar findings?

[hunter5582 in reply to leefsu97]

Sorry to hear about the rough experience. Did the docs feel that the Pegasys was playing a role in the pancytopenia? Hope they got this sorted out.

Regarding the CT results, I have something similar. Mild splenomegaly about the same as you. I also have a lesion on the liver (likely hemangioma), a cyst in the kidney, and a lesion (benign) on the lung. With MPNs we have an increased risk of other neoplasms, which may or may not have anything to do with these anomalies. The splenomegaly is, of course, common with MPNs. At a low level, it is not a significant issue.

Hope you are fully recovered soon.

[leefsu97 in reply to hunter5582]

thank you hunter I do believe the peg played it’s part by bringing my white blood cells down so low then combined with fighting an infection must have caused the pancytopenia. I haven’t had my follow up with my local heme yet to know for sure. Meanwhile, chicken soup + tylonel hopefully will help me recover. Thank you for your response!

[hunter5582 in reply to leefsu97]

Chicken Soup can work wonders! Lemon-honey tea is good too. One of my new favorites is a combination of an Elderberry-Reishi teas (with various other herbs in it). It is supposed to boost the immune system. I can't prove it works, but it sure does taste good.

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[leefsu97 in reply to hunter5582]

I do the same! I also found a new tea (well new to me) called rooibus tea which I steep with lavender flowers and coconut. It’s delicious and there is a lot of information about the many health benefits including antiviral and anti cancer. Plus it’s caffeine free so having before bed is nice too, especially since that’s when the cough seems to get nastier.

[Hopetohelp]

Sorry to hear about your experience. How did your haematologist allow you to get in that position in the first place! Might be worth changing to a different one. Hope you get better soon

[leefsu97]

Thank you