Any one with RA have low neutrophils

[Doughnut61]

Hello warriors I have been on Sulphasalazine for at least 3 years have to have bloods done monthly owing to raised liver enzymes . They gave improved since losing weight, but now neutrophils are too low! Any advice/ experiences would be much appreciated 💕 I am RA positive 60 years old - Diagnosed RA 5 years ago but I’m sure I’ve had it for 8-10 years .

[Mermaid11]

Hello, I too had low nutraphils at the start of the year, I was on benepali injections at the time. My nutraphils went down to 0.5, I was told to stop the benepali until they improved, took 3 months for any improvement. I was then not allowed back on that medication incase it happened again, and I started a jak inhibitor, which I can say after nearly 3 months I have no side effects and all blood results are looking the best they have for over 2 years.

Has your GP or consultant advised it could be due to the medication your on?

[Doughnut61 in reply to Mermaid11]

I have to have another blood test next week, I seem to be having blood tests either 2 weekly or monthly as my bloods have not been right for years since RA I think it’s the meds as 2 years ago I had a big operation and had to stop all meds whilst healing, at that time all bloods went back to normal 😄 But of course I need the meds to live with the disease x

[Mmrr]

My neutrophils are almost permanently low and have been no matter what medication I am on. Haematology advised they could go to 1 before medication needs to be stopped. Fortunately they are usually just above 1, sometimes literally just above it.

🤞 I don't get a lot of infections with toficitinib no matter what my neutrophil count is.

[Doughnut61 in reply to Mmrr]

Thank you for your reply 😄 the fatigue gets me the worst but that’s probably the disease 💕

[Mmrr in reply to Doughnut61]

Yes, the fatigue is a real struggle, less so when the disease is better controlled. But one of the main issues for me too.

[Sarahg62]

Yes, mine constantly hovers around 1. My Rheumy consultant is ok with that, and only gets worried now when it goes below. Unfortunately it’s a side effect of our treatments as they dampen down the immune system.

[Doughnut61 in reply to Sarahg62]

Thank you for your reply 😃 I’m doubled vaccinated but so scared of picking up Covid with my immune system 😬

[Leics]

My neutrophils are low too and I’m not currently on meds for RA not by choice my immune system is very low almost non existent so I appreciate your fear with regards to Covid but although I’m double vaccinated too the fear of the virus still remains with good reason but as long as you do what you can to protect yourself that’s all you can do. Hopefully the neutrophil issue will be temporary in your case 🤞

[Jacqbox]

Hi, I have had problems with low neutrophils for 20 years & predates my RA diagnosis in 2008. My haematologist always connected my neutropenia to my other autoimmune problems & that things should improve when my RA was better controlled. That is exactly what has happened, I rarely get a low result now although my results are on the low normal, I don’t get the 1’s or below any more. I take sulfasalazine & abatacept