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Stopped sulphasalazine due to low white blood cell count Options
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sweetiekatie
#1 Posted : Friday, August 09, 2013 8:32:43 AM Quote
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Joined: 3/27/2013
Posts: 5
Location: Swansea
Switched from Metoject to Sulphasalazine tablets on 1/6, had blood tests every two weeks.

On 29/7 I had a call from my GP saying that I have to stop taking them because my latest blood test showed extremely low white blood cell count. I have to wait until this has increased before sarting the tablets again, was told this should be in about a week. I had a blood test on Monday (5/8) and its still too low so have to wait another week.

At first I was fine, the meds must have still been in my system but from Sunday I have been in constant pain and its just getting worse. My wrists, fingers and ankles are hurting and now my knees and shoulders have started (I've never had pain here before). I'm also constantly tired, its hard to explain to my fiance and employer but I just feel like I could fall asleep anywhere. I guess this is the chronic fatigue that people talk about. I can't stand it :(

I'm getting married in 5 weeks and I have so much to do leading up to it and I just don't have the energy and I can't bear the thought of being in pain on the day!

Is there anything I can do to boost my white blood cell count? Is there anything else I can do?

Sorry for the long post, just needed to vent. Thanks xxx
Mrs A since 14/09/2013[/size]
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Naomi1
#2 Posted : Monday, August 26, 2013 10:52:54 PM Quote
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Location: Torbay
I'm not sure what you can do to boost the white cell count. I do sympathise with the fatigue element. I find the tiredness overwhelming and quite disabling. If I'm not working then I wake at ten and am back sleeping at 2pm for three hours and this is on top of a full nights sleep. I will cross my fingers for you that the cell count goes up again. Good luck with the wedding. I hope you can have a pain free day.
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Rebecca D
#3 Posted : Tuesday, August 27, 2013 2:23:12 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/4/2009
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Hi Katie

Sorry you are having such a rough time. Low white count makes you prone to infection so you need boost your immunity with lots of fruit and vit c. Folic acid and zinc supplements helps the body produce more white blood cells, as well as drinking green tea. Protein in eggs, meat and fish helps the white cells too.

Have you checked with your GP to see whether there is any medication you can take to boost the white cells so you can get back on your Sulphasalazine? It may be worth asking about a steroid injection before your wedding but you will need to check what effect that would have on your low white cell count.

Best of luck, I really hope you feel a bit better for your wedding day. I couldn't walk 6 weeks before I got married so understand how worried you are. I had loads of steroid and painkillers to keep me on my feet during the day.

Best wishes for a wonderful wedding.

Rebecca
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LynW
#4 Posted : Wednesday, August 28, 2013 8:41:55 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
Hi Katie

It is very likely that it is a low neutrophil count that is problem (please see my comments on the thread 'low neutrophils'). Often a week will not be long enough for an improvement, two weeks usually does the trick though; so fingers crossed for you. Unfortunately there is nothing dietary that will help improve things as it is a drug induced problem rather than a dietary deficiency. An alternative to sulphasalazine may be required if the problem becomes persistent.

In the meantime, wedding pending, please ask your GP/Rheumatologist for a steroid jab to tide you over. They are not without side effects and do not control the disease but will help control the pain, anxiety and fatigue.

Good luck with it

Lyn x
My son, Ian, completed the BUPA Great North Run on 15th September running for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS). You can read his story at http://www.justgiving.com/ianlukewilson

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