I am new and looking forward hearing from new people, anyone have slightly low white blood cell count from MTX?

[starfire]

Hi my name is Valerie I am 62 years old and have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for ten years. I am looking forward hearing others story’s and to have a place for ideas and connection with others.

[allanah]

Hi Starfire and welcome . I unfortunately rtunately haven't had that experience so will wait on others giving you the info over the next few days!! But nice to see you and enjoy the site xx

[Hidden]

Welcome starfire. You are welcome here . Yes, I continully have slightly lowered wbc's since I started mtx. I've been told not to worry as they aren't that low to panic.

[starfire in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for sharing your WBC's talking with others instead of staying in my own head helps so much.

[Moomin8]

Hi- yes, I have that too along with low neutraphils, and have been told not to worry. I also have a lowish red blood count. I think our bloods will always be a bit 'different'.

[medieval-ali]

Hi Valerie

Yes, although I'm on a different med, I'm usually on the boarder of them being too low, just have to be sensible around seeing people with any illness.

Good luck with your treatments.

Alison

[farm123]

I run with low WBC and neuts although on different meds. I don't think I pick up anything more (I think slightly less) than I used to when bloods were so called 'normal' and I have had kids in education all the time I have been on meds. Yes I have this cold/cough thing going around at the moment but they are not many who have avoided it and at the moment I have one at high school and 1 at college who lives in during the week and home at weekends so all new bugs there. It probably does take slightly longer to recover than a 'normal' person. Avoid people who are ill if possible and be aware of your body and see your GP if you are struggling as we are more vulnerable. Farm

[starfire in reply to farm123]

Thank you for your reply knowing others have some of the same symptoms helps me sleep at night. Family and friends help but talking with others going through the same thing helps so much!

[nomoreheels]

Hiya & welcome. I've been on MTX nearly 8 years & my WBC count is generally mid to lower end of the range but because as it's always been that way it's become my norm so not questioned, unless I have a dip or peak that is. WBC counts have a tendency to be lower in the morning than the afternoon (I always have my monthly bloods taken around 10am) so if yours are taken at a regular time & particularly if it's the morning then I wouldn't worry too much, unless it's a big dip that is! I'm sure if it raises concern when it's read you'll be contacted before your next bloods.

I hope you enjoy being here with us Valerie, you must have plenty of experiences you can share too so look forward to seeing you around now you've introduced yourself. 🙂

[starfire in reply to nomoreheels]

Hi I am very happy I joined this group I did have these labs taken early and they have always been on the low side but a little lower this time. I find my primary care Doctor is much more understanding and caring than my rheumatologist they all seem very busy so its nice having a group to turn to with all those little crazy thoughts that can float around in ones head.

[Karen77]

My WBC is usually slightly under 4. That's become my new normal. Any time I change meds or dose, my WBC dips. It usually adjusts once my body has adjusted to the new med/dose.

[weathervane]

Hi starfire , my white cell count became low before i was started on treatment for sjogrens. I am now taking plaquenil for over a year and ive just had second course of rituximab. My white cell count is still low but at much the same level . Do you find you are more prone to infections ? I have had more than usual but i try to treat things myself quickly where i can , im also very careful about hand washing etc. Ihope you keep well 🌷

[starfire in reply to weathervane]

Hi weathervane I do get more infections and like you care for them mostly on mu own, I am crazy with hand washing and buy wet ones to use when I can't use a sink. My daughter says wet ones are much better than hand sanitizers, she should know she is a nurse practitioner, wet ones contain soap that break down germs hand sanitizer do not.

[weathervane]

Thats good to know as i was going to get more antibacterial wipes, just made first of 2 rituximab infusions and already have sore throat and ears. Gargling with salt and cider vinegar and taking hot lemon with honey. Have you any other home remedies to recommend??

[starfire in reply to weathervane]

My daughter a nurse practioner says eating healthy and getting extra rest helps fight off bugs, I also keep up to date on all vaccines flu, shingles, and the new Pneumonia I think there is two. Some of them you have to be over 65 I am 62 but most insurances will cover them when you have health issues.

[chockers]

Mine is offton normal and offton low . if low keep away from autue wards at hospital otherwise normal life

[Jeanslmn]

I haven't been on here very long myself but have found everyone on here very kind very helpful very knowledgable on RA

[Eiram50]

This may seem a very ignorant question but can I ask how everyone knows their wbc count, esr levels etc? I have my bloods taken every week and all I'm ever told is they're ok. Should I be asking more??

[Hidden in reply to Eiram50]

No, you aren't ignorant. I live in Canada and i go to Lifelabs for my bloodwork. The results are posted online, with a password of corse.

Does the UK not have a lab that you can view online?

[nomoreheels in reply to Eiram50]

It varies Marie. If you have your bloods taken at your Practice you could ask if you could keep your own drug monitoring record book (my nurse always has a supply). When you go to have your bloods taken she'll write in your previous weeks results. If she doesn't have a DMB ask if you can have a printout of the results, you could then put them in a file, trouble is with that if you're having them taken so regularly it wouldn't be long until you have a library of them!

[Eiram50 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks NMH - I just wondered as so many people seem very aware. You're right though, paper would pile up !

[nomoreheels in reply to Eiram50]

It would be helpful though, if you had your results. I only mentioned here the other day when I saw my GP, she checked my graph & was shocked to see my ESR peak on the graph & laughed when we both said I'd obviously had a mini flare.

On a serious note a study conducted in 2015 Patients' adherence-related beliefs about methotrexate included in it's conclusion "Improving the recording and sharing of monitoring results may be one important way to meet this need." It's an interesting read but as is generally the case with study papers is a bit long winded! Nevertheless it's here if you've got the will & a spare few hours ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Eiram50 in reply to nomoreheels]

Will read now . The more informed we are, the better . Thanks for taking the time to help.

Marie

[nomoreheels in reply to Eiram50]

Never a truer word!

[starfire in reply to nomoreheels]

Great idea I will ask for one at my next appointment.

[AllyWelshDragon]

Same here Valerie. I've been recalled to repeat my blood tests because of low neutrophils on mtx. I get the results tomorrow so fingers crossed they've recovered as I'm really well otherwise.

Welcome to the club! Everyone's really friendly and supportive on here.

Best wishes

Ally x

[starfire in reply to AllyWelshDragon]

Thanks Ally so nice of you to share your information, it's great to have nice people to reach out to. Good luck on your labs, I know how waiting is I guess we get use to it.

[weathervane]

Well Valerie , for all my hand washing , just been to doctor and found i have chest infection! On antibiotics i need to get clear as have another infusion in 10 days. How do you prevent that happening, needto get those white cell boosted 😩