High white blood cell count

[JanboC]

My GP sent me for blood tests, yet again, last week. He rang me 2 days later to ask if I felt ok as my white blood cell count was through the roof and I am now showing signs of anaemia. Got a bit concerned as he kept asking repeatedly "did I feel ok?" Anyway, had more bloods done yesterday, chest x ray and Poo sample!! Going next Thursday for results. What next?? GCA only (at the moment!) Any clues anyone??? On the usual meds, Pred 17.5mg, Adcal, AA, Lansoprazole, Candesartan. No other issues apart from Plantar Facsiitis and very achy thighs when walking.

[Hidden]

Do you remember when you had a previous blood test prior to this one showing high white blood cell count?

Hopefully it’s a blip & it’ll be interesting to see what the latest blood test shows.

Let us know how you get on, on Thursday.

Good Luck 🍀

[JanboC in reply to Hidden]

Yes, my previous one in March, But just "raised". Thanks, will do

[SnazzyD]

Hello, Pred does stimulate the production of the white cell, Neutrophil leading to a general increase in the total count. Which type of white cell is causing the increase can mean different things and your full blood count result should have a breakdown . If this is the first time you’ve had an increase on all this time might mean you have some other cause, I don’t know. My Neutrophil and hence total white cell count were up from a few weeks in on high dose, but Pre GCA were at my usual level. It does seem that anaemia is associated with PMR. Whatever it is the GP should do a repeat because knowing a trend is more useful than a single reading and rules out a possible mistake too.

[JanboC in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks, yes I think that's why he sent me for another, maybe thinking it's just a blip! I did ask him about PMR a while ago, but he just said that if I had it, the pred level I am on should be sufficient? Could it be due to Plantar Fasciitis? Is that classed as inflammation? I will have to remember to ask for a break down as I didn't know there were different types of white blood cells! I have also read that muscle wastage can be caused by pred. Achy thighs?????

[Hidden in reply to JanboC]

Achy thighs....have you walked more or changed routine? Could be delayed onset muscle soreness but for me its usually a sign pmr showing its head.

Yes you need the figures. My white blood count is usually outside the "norm" - neutrophils. Dont know if this helps. My brain not fully working yet.

ebmconsult.com/articles/glu...

[JanboC in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, poopadoop. Yes, I am walking differently due to the inserts in my shoes etc for the PF. I was told which ones to get by the podiatrist and apparently they re align your body to walk properly, so that could be the cause of the achy thighs I suppose. Thanks for the link, I have had a skim through, but will look in more detail later when my brain wakes up, which isn't very often these days! ha ha .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to JanboC]

Any realignment will make muscles have to do slightly different actions - and they will almost always protest!!

[JanboC in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, and, yes they do protest.

[stellafmdm in reply to JanboC]

Hi JanbC, anything ending in 'itis' is a sign of inflammation!! So plantar fasciitis definitely qualifies as inflammation of the Plantar Fascia!

[JanboC in reply to stellafmdm]

Hey, Stella, thanks for that, I didn't know! Or, I might have done In a previous life eg pre GCA lol.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

17.5mg may NOT be enough - the starting dose may be up to 25mg and occasionally even more.

[stellafmdm]

😊👍

[JanboC in reply to stellafmdm]

❤️👍