Low white blood cells and question about elevation
 

So I guess to start off I have been having a lot of stomach issues lately. I have had chronic diarrhea since October. Then for about the past month a lot of pain in my abdomen/stomach area. I had a colonoscopy going both ways and my white blood cells were very low and we found out I have colitis but it was unspecific. I got the flu twice within a month and my white blood cells dropped to critically low. So I was told I can not get sick again because I have to get them to go up. I wasn't told what will happen if they keep going down though, but they are going to check them again and are keeping a close watch on me. I am wondering if anyone else has this problem?

Also I live in the mountains but last week I stayed at my friend's house in town. My legs hurt (where my CRPS is) but it was manageable. Although since I have been back home in the higher elevation my legs have been hurting very bad! My pain went from a 6-7 to a 9-10. So I am wondering if maybe elevation has something to do with CRPS pain?

I've gotten gastroenteritis several times since having CRPS. It sucks. Are you taking Vitamin C? It will help with your immune system and with this beast. I live at a higher elevation also, and when I actually go into the mountains I really hurt. I think elevation does affect us. Have you looked up ways to raise your white blood cells? I wish I could help more. :hug:

Hi Angelina, So sorry you haven’t been feeling well. Vit C is always good BUT just keep in mind that it too can causes diarrhea. Gabapentin can cause it as well. Elevation is definitely a factor. I’m at 5646 feet above sea level. It doesn’t take much (clouds/pressure to fall) to really feel it. Yes, it makes a difference you can feel. Sure hope you feel better quick! :hug:

Hi Angelina55,

So nice to see you again! Sorry you are having stomach problems and low white counts on top of everything else! The only thing I know about low white blood counts is infection and even inflammatory issues. You may have a lower WBC due to CRPS and then if anything else like the flu or other type of infection would cause a double whammy. There are other blood tests that can determine if the bodies inflammatory response is a contributing factor and if that is found to be true for you then treating that might be a start to increasing your count.

As far as elevation changes and pain.. oh boy can I attest to that! Spa heat wraps can help some with the added pain due to temperature changes as you go up in elevation. Mexelitine has also been helping me some. Like you I live in the mountains and this is a constant struggle when living with CRPS..

I do hope you feel better soon in all areas!

One other thing that comes to mind is medications that can cause low white blood counts. I remember my doctor warning me about that for a number of medications partly, because my prior radiation therapy caused my WBC to also drop very low so the risk was increased with certain medications. Just a thought.

What is Mexelitine?

Really? Hmm.. I wonder if any of my meds might be causing it.

I had some issues with my family and the people I live with. My brother's girlfriend was sick and she kept coming around me. They told me she wasn't sick but she posted on Facebook that she was. When I found out I left my house because no one cared in my home, but I didn't leave soon enough and now I have strep throat! :( So my doctor is checking my WBC. Hopefully they will not drop to much since I went in as soon as I started feeling icky and he put me on amoxicillin. It just amazes me that my family just doesn't care about my health. I wish that they understood even a little about what I am going through, ya know? It is hard enough to have CRPS but then to add my stomach issues, my low white blood cell count, being a single mom, and trying to support my daughter and myself is just to much sometimes!

My daughter is only 6 and is having depression issues because of my dad's girlfriend and they way she treated my daughter and the way she changed my dad! He now has changed for the worse and my daughter pretty much lost her grandpa who was her whole world! She had to go through that when her father left her. I am so mad at him for doing that to her all because some chic is spreading her legs and she treats my dad like crap! Plus her kids are drug addicts and they were living with us! So my daughter has been through hell the last 7 months and now has to be put in counseling and my dad doesn't care! All this stress is making me worse! I have to get out of the house I am in. The one I have lived in my whole life because of one stupid woman! It just blows my mind! I have always been there for my dad and he just doesn't care about me anymore. I just pray that God will help me get out of the situation that I am in so that my daughter will feel safe and loved and get better and then maybe my health will get better too cuz my stress might go down. I just can't find a job that I am able to do with all this pain and health crap that I am going through! ARGGG!!!! I hate feeling so helpless!!!!!!!!!:mad::confused:

Sorry I didn't respond sooner - we have been without power for the last 2 days.

Mexiletine is the same as getting a lidocaine infusion only in a pill form. It is worth considering since you are experiencing pain with elevation change and temperature. It is worth considering because you can tell right away if it will be of benefit. Not all doctors are familiar with this medication though so you might have to bring it up to them.

Did you ever find a new PM?

I do hope you start feeling better soon and that your WBC normalize!