Neutropenia
 

In October 2013 I got my flu and pneumonia shots. That evening, I had a fever with the shakes (chills). I had always heard that the flu shot can cause "flu like" symptoms. I let it go until I started feeling worse. I went back to my primary care doctor who immediately sent me to the emergency room. I ended up in the hospital for a week. My white blood count was down under 1.0 and my neutrophil count was 200. Both numbers were severely low. The only thing that would get my WBC/Neutro count up was Neupogen injections. This is a drug typically given to people with cancer to boost their WBC so they can get their next chemo treatment. I had a bone marrow test done with nothing negative found. I am still suffering from the low blood counts and need the Neupogen. The doctors cannot tell me what caused/is causing my problems. My diagnosis is severe neutropenia. All that the doctor can tell me is that my illness is auto immune related as I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis.When my numbers are down, I am basically a slave to my home as I cannot be out in public because of the infection risk.

Anyone been through anything like this or have any thoughts? Could the flu or pneumonia shot have caused this?

Do you know what your vitamin D, B12, zinc and copper are?

I don't know what those levels are. The main concern of the doctors has been my WBC. I know I have a complete blood count done weekly but not sure if those are shown on a CBC

None of those vitamin or mineral levels--
 

--would show up in a standard blood count; those tests have to be specifically requested.

Certain patterns in the red blood cell tests, such as hemoglobin and cell volume, might point to a need to request said tests, however. Definitely question the physicians.

Please do follow up to find out. Also, if you are on any medications, you need to look at them as a possible cause.

The body needs Vitamin D3, B12, folate, B6, iron, zinc and copper for blood production. There are others but these are the most important.

That is a very low ANC but the good thing is that your bone marrow is responding to the Neupogen. When you do go out or to the doctors, be sure to wear a good mask to protect yourself.

After reading these responses , I began taking a quality multi-vitamin that contains the listed vitamins/minerals. My last blood workup was WBC 4.6 and ANC of 1.9. That is a vast improvement! Especially considering it has been 3-4 weeks since my last Neupogen injection. Maybe there was some type of deficiency that the multivitamin is addressing.

Everyone's input is greatly appreciated!

Rich

Thanks for reporting back. I would encourage you find out what your vitamin d,b12 and folate are. You would need to stop the supplement 3 or 4 dAys prior to testing though. Studies have shown tHat even low normal levels are problematic in many cases.

My WBC has been low normal for years and has been attributed to my Rheumatoid Arthritis. My doctors still cannot tell me why there was such a drastic drop off. All they are saying is that it is "autoimmune related".

IMO, it's important to maintain healthy levels of nutrients. Low levels of Vitamin D are implicated in autoimmune diseases too. And if you are on any meds for the RA, they too can impact your bone marrow causing low white counts.

Just keep doing things to improve your overall health the best you can.