low low low WBC woes

[Roamerwithroots]

I’ve been on Aubagio/generic Aubagio for 10 months. I just had bloodwork done and my WBC count is 2.42 (low end of normal is 4.3). This is even lower than it was in October. I am waiting for my doc to get back to me with her advice which is probably going to be that I can’t take this kind of med anymore. I have been incredibly tired over the past month (but I also had a cyst removed from my foot 5 weeks ago).

I guess I’m just looking for someone to tell me yes, no wonder you’re tired! and maybe have some advice. I’m hoping to hear from the doc on Tuesday and am getting acupuncture on Friday to see if that will help.

Thank you.

[CatsandCars]

Sorry your white count has crashed. The same thing happened to me when I was on Gilenya. They took me off of it, and while your experience might be different, it took two or three months for my white count to come back up, then they started me on another drug.

The good news is that I didn't get any infections, although I wore a mask everywhere due to covid. Also, it's usually super stressful during the gap between old and new medications because you worry about the MS flaring up. But with a really low blood count, you don't have much of an immune system left to attack your myelin anyway. So just be careful and take the normal precautions. And I know that starting a new med can be anxiety provoking. But I wish you the best of luck 😊

[Roamerwithroots in reply to CatsandCars]

Thank you. I have always had a low WBC my whole life so I think these meds are tough for me to tolerate. So hard not to get depressed when these things happen.

[CatsandCars in reply to Roamerwithroots]

I don't blame you. So many of the MS drugs work by affecting the white blood cells. That must be really difficult. Plus having had surgeries, pain, and maybe not being able to move around as much can be hard. I hope your doctor can come up with a plan for you that won't wipe out your white blood cells. I wish you the best.

[mrsmike9 in reply to CatsandCars]

Techfidera did that to me. It must not be uncommon. Eat green vegetables and wait for the doctor. Let us know how you are doing.

[Roamerwithroots in reply to mrsmike9]

I tried Tecfidera 10 years ago for 6 months and the same thing happened back then, too. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️

[CatsandCars]

PS No wonder you're tired!😅

[ahrogers]

If your hemoglobin is also low that can make you tired. We also take longer to recover from anesthesia so, your re ent foot surgery could be contributing. Even if you didn't get general anesthesia, your body is using more energy trying to heal.Keep your nutrition up, stay hydrated and stay as active as you can given recent foot surgery. You may need to increase your upper body exercises while your foot heals to accomplish that.

[Roamerwithroots in reply to ahrogers]

i did have general anesthesia - in fact, this was the second cyst removal surgery I had because the stupid thing came back after the initial surgery in September. It’s been a rough few months. My hemoglobin looks to be normal. And I have gotten some pretty buff shoulders in the past few months since I’ve been limited in cardio workouts! 😂

[hairbrain4]

A low WBC doesn't cause fatigue but will cause other problems that will cause fatigue such as infections. Your body is fighting hard to keep disease out. Try adding vegetables high in beta-carotene & or add foods high in zinc.

[Roamerwithroots in reply to hairbrain4]

That makes sense. I still haven't heard from my neuro. 😑 I'll see what she says and keep eating all the veggies!

[hairbrain4 in reply to Roamerwithroots]

😊

[Roamerwithroots]

Well, my neuro took me off of Aubagio. I have an appt. with her next month to talk about next steps. Not looking forward to that.