Auto-immune?

[abcdecker]

Ok, when I was pg with my 3rd son last year my WBC was 1.5. Throughout my pg it stayed about the same. SOmetimes it made it to 2.5.  After my pg we did a bone marrow biopsy which came back clear. My wbc is still about the same. The only time it jumped to 3.5 was when I had a severe tooth infection.  I also take Levthroid for my Thyroid. Here is some history: I had knee surgery on both knees when I was 19 and they said they removed Plika (something like that) and I had a little arthritis. I am 31 know and I have many occasional aches and pains but nothing severe. I've had 3 c-sections in 4 years. I am overweight. Before this last pregnancy I lost a bunch of weight and then gained 80 lbs with this last pg. My son was born Oct 07 and I am still struggling with the weight. I am currently 5'-2" and 190 lbs. It seems whatever I do I have trouble sticking to a diet and I am too tired to excercise much. I am at home with my three boys age 4, 2 1/2,  and 10 months old . We do play and go for walks daily.  I just haven't made it to the gym since my son was born.  Also, it took us 7 years to get pregnant the first time and we went though fertility treatment with the first one. The others just happened. So my question is if anything in your mind pops out with a diagnoses or if I should see  a different specialist.  I see my Oncologist every 3 months and its the same thing. "Your white blood cells are low, wash your vegies good and stay away from sick people".
Any advice?
Thanks,
Melissa

[PlateletGal]

Dr. Bell seems like a very nice man... I subscribe to his e-newsletter (Lyndonville Times). I was sorry to hear that he's retiring soon. = (

[postie]

Dr. Bell is my doctor so it's nice if I have a question.  I have always had a positive ANA from day 1.  I don't know if it will stay at 640 or go back to 320 when I get bloodwork done again.

                                                     Postie

[postie]

I'm not on any meds for my symptoms of CFS.  I am on Prozac though to help with the fatigue.  It takes the edge off.  

My symptoms are fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, low blood volume.  I have other symptoms but can't remember them all.

                                        Postie

[PlateletGal]

Hi postie ! Another possible CFS'er... with a positive ANA titer. I thought I would jump in because I also have a positive ANA. According to CFS expert, Dr. David Bell, up to 25% of patients with CFS have some autoimmunity problems.

I think Dr. Garth Nicholson explains what happens very well on his website. Mycoplasmas have been found in a large percentage of CFS patients and according to Nicholson, when mycoplasmas exit certain cells, such as synovial cells, nerve cells, among others that can be infected, they can stimulate an autoimmune response. I'm certain this is why I've had CFS for so many years, but didn't have a positive ANA until several years ago.

[mookie333]

how are you making out with your diagnosis?   I feel pretty rotten and finally am seeing a CFS specialist in a week or so.  Are you on any meds?  what's your symptoms and how do manage day to day.  thanks mookie

[postie]

Ever since 1998 when I got CFS, my white count was low and it dropped to 1.9.  It messed my thyroid all up and that bottomed out at 199.  I had to get blood work done 2-3 times a week as they thought I had leukemia.

So I went to a Hematologist and they did a bone marrow aspirate and everything was normal.  I had to go to an Endo to get my thyroid straightened out.  My ANA has always been positive at either 160 0r 320 and this year jumped to 640.  My white count is usually 2.5 or 2.1.  I never get sick.  

Why do you see an Oncologist?  My CFS specialist is Dr. Bell and I've been under his care.  People with CFS, do have low white count.  Not all CFS people but some and some also have high ANA counts.  But I can be around sick people and I don't get sick.  Before when I was going to specialists and doctors they would say don't get near anyone who's sick because of your low white count.  But nobody knew I had CFS and they didn't know what it was anyway.

                                        Postie

[mookie333]

You sound like me.  Since my last deivery of child #3 I've never had a white count above 2.8. I have neutropenia and high eosinophils. My bone marow biopsy cam out clean too.  Since then- I've ben diagnosed w/ hypothyroidism low free t3, partially empty sella (pituitary thing), vitiligo, constant ear ringing, very high ANA, pos. ebv and varicella titer.  I've seen at least 7 doctors so far-and the last one was at the top of his field at a famous medical university.....and the only diagnosis I've gotten is you have immune dysregulation.  I  keep trying to search for more answers and next week I'll be seeing one of the top experts in CFS---it's just awful not knowing exactly whats going on with your body when you feel so awful....I just wanted to let you know that I understand..and to encourage you to keep searching for answers.....Mookie

[PlateletGal]

Was your WBC low before your third pregnancy ?

A low WBC is sometimes seen in people who have overwhelming infections (AKA: sepsis), viral infections, HIV - AIDS, immunosupression, bone marrow supression anemias (aplastic, pernicious) and some medications (chemo & antibiotics).