What is happening to me?

[Angie2212]

Guys I need your support before I go crazy.

My GP requested I make an appointment to see her, which I did today.

She told me my recent blood tests have shown really low counts of Lymphocyte and Eosinophil.

What even is that?

She fully examined me, weighed me, took my pulse, tested my heart and prodded my tummy, which hurt like hell.

Now she has told me she is referring me to a specialist hemotologist asap.

Im so confused as apart from terrible night sweats and my RA, which has settled after last weeks injection, I feel fine, but she said "im more sick than I think" and the night sweats and bruising is signs of my lymph nodes being infected.

What does that even mean?

Can anyone help with some advice as Google is panicking me big time.

[helixhelix]

Please don't go crazy!

The number of two types of your white blood cells, which are the ones that fight infections, is too low. This can happen with us for loads of reasons, and as a result you are vulnerable to infections.

So the other symptoms you have could be as a result of a low grade infection. Equally the blood count could have dropped because of something more systemic - but there are loads of possibilities and you need the specialist to work that out. And not all of them are evil.

Instead of freaking out, hang on to the fact that this has been picked up quickly and you are being referred on quickly. And even with some of the more serious possibilities that you have probably homed in on with Dr Google if they are caught early they are treatable and reversible.

So concentrate instead on looking after yourself, and caring for your body with good food, sleep and so on. Have you also been told not to take your RA drugs? As if so them even more important to try not to let yourself get stressed. Easy to say I know, but try to find a way to keep calm.

I hope your specialist appointment is soon. Let us know.....

[Angie2212 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for your kind words.

Today the GP called me back to say she had spoken with a practise GP who specialises on bloods and RA. She told her that given the meds I'm on, this can often happen. They have arranged for me to have the bloods re taken next Thursday. If they show to be lower again then they will send me to the hemotologist.

That's better than being told yesterday that I'm sicker than I think!

She said that because I have severe night sweats that she assumed I had an infection!! I thought and still do that they are down to the menopause as I'm going through it.

I'm calmer now and hopeful that next week will show better results and if not Ill deal with whatever is needed.

I'm still taking the same meds I have been for almost 11 months.

I shall keep you wonderful people posted on my next results.

[helixhelix in reply to Angie2212]

Much better! Sounds far more that it's one of those RA glitches that bedevil us from time to time. And when I was in the worst bit of the menopause I didn't know which was up - it can mess you up big time. Fingers crossed for mext Thur.

It's also a good idea to find out the exact results yourself and keep a note of it all. Over the years you will probably have many doctors, so it's good to get to know how you react to things and become your own expert in your own body.

[Angie2212 in reply to helixhelix]

Good Morning HH,

Can I ask a question?

I have a feeling of nausea that has been coming and going for about a week now. Also when I eat or drink I feel everything going down in the middle area below my ribs. This is exactly where I have the feeling of nausea.

Could this be related to the 2 blood counts being low?

This is a new feeling for me and hoping its not related to my meds as I have been quite settled on them for 11 months now.

[Gigi71 in reply to Angie2212]

So pleased to read your reply to HH. My bloods are often out of range especially my WBC, but my of GP of 20 + years puts to be expected or satisfactory. Not surprising really. Take care. X

[Ruth12345]

You will know by reading this site that hh really knows her stuff so be reassured by her words. X

[Gigi71]

Dear Angie. Doctor Google has a lot to answer for. A couple of years back I received a letter from my Rheumy to go for a specific blood test straight away after receiving my normal blood results. It had a name which eludes me now, of course I googled it and it scared the life out of me. It was to do with my bone marrow. I spent an anxious week waiting to hear from them and fortunately all was ok. I now only look at the NHS site. Very good advice from HH. I do wish you all the very best and the best outcome. We are always here for you. Hugs G X

[Mmrr]

Angie, my white cell count alters frequently, it's all over the place at times. I've been on 2 weekly blood checks for 9 months now and apart from feeling like a pin cushion I'm fine ( well apart from all the RA stuff !).

However, the first time I was told about the fluctuating WCC was over the 'phone , it scared the life out of me. HH has given you great advice.

[oldtimer]

Yes it's scary isn't it! I remember the doctor ringing me at home and asking if I felt all right! I replied that I felt like I usually do (which isn't great!) She asked me to go in the following morning to repeat the blood test that had been taken that day as "It shows some abnormalities" When I asked what she said the white blood cell count was down considerably... PANIC mode flashes up.

Over the next few weeks I had frequent monitoring (thinking that taking all that blood must be reducing my levels anyway!) but they gradually came back to what's regarded as normal. They concluded that I had had had an infection that affected it. Having had auto-immune problems with my bone marrow previously they do keep a close eye on it. But mine has always been treatable even if sometimes a bit too exciting!

[Leics]

Hi, if it’s any help to you mine were the same for a fair while turned out drug treatments had lowered my immune system. Had a few tests most ok but some on the pants side. It’s good you have a GP to check, after seeing haematology and all being ok as far as they were concerned. I was referred to immunology. My immune system is still in my boots but is being managed by immuno nothing major. I’ve just been told my lymphocytes are finally back to normal so is Eosinophil. Try not to worry this can happen sometimes but sounds like GP is looking after you. Good luck hopefully it will resolve itself.

[Harrypotter2930]

Last year mybloods went hay wire and my neutrophils count was very low, I was getting phone calls off my biologics nurse every day to come in for bloods and each time it went lower after 4 days I got a phone call to make my way to the hospital I was going to be admitted because my neutrophils count was zero. I was put in a side ward because there were no beds free in isolation I had my bloods taken and the count was still zero so they gave me an injection to try to bring the count up, after 2 days it started to come back up and they said they were going to discharge me because I would have less chance of infection at home than in hospital. No-one could say why it happened but it was very scary because no one seemed to know what to do with me .

[Angie2212 in reply to Harrypotter2930]

My goodness, that is scary. Its bad enough we have this horrible disease without having to endure more ailments on top of it.

I hope you are well now.