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Need help on raising my WBC count

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Posted 7/4/2009 8:53 AM (GMT -5)
as you know, i'm fighting Lyme and Mono and i have a low WBC.. What can i do to improve my WBC? i have been taking b 12, Vitamin C 1000mg, and Fish Oil along with Probotics recently. any other helpful advice would be great.. I try to eat alot of protein also.. its been hard to eat the last month.. I would say fighting mono right now is kicking my butt.. what do you guys suggest?
Posted 7/4/2009 9:17 AM (GMT -5)

Hi james.  Are you under the care of a doctor?  If so, what is the doctor's theory about why it is low?  If you know why it is low, you can take measures to improve it.

Have you been tested for the Ehrlichiosis co-infections?

Posted 7/4/2009 10:16 AM (GMT -5)
James, I was thinking about you when I went back to read Dr Burr's Guidelines (in the newbies section). One of the common co-infections causes low WBC, but I wasn't smart enough to jot it down, so I dont' remember which one it was. It is really worth the read! So I don't know that it tells how YOU can raise your WBC, besides getting a diagnosis and treatment for the co-infection. I'm not a Dr. so I am not stating that this is your problem for sure. But it should be considered. If you haven't read it yet, you will feel a little more educated on Lyme and co-infections!

Here, I will post the link for you so you don't have to go looking. I"m sorry, I see you have to copy and paste the link. Or just go into the newbies section and it has a link.

http://www.ilads.org/files/burrascano_0905.pdf
Posted 7/4/2009 12:33 PM (GMT -5)
thanks guys

i read that whole thing... it just says to take some good protein in and alot of amino and vegetables in.

i do have a PCP right now, he is ok.. but my LLMD has a long wait.. can't get into him until October. i could be dead by then. hopefully not

my WBC is low, i have no idea why.. i'm totally screwed..

btw, i just noticed under my left ribcage, i have a swollen lymph node or something, kinda like a hard pimple that is sore to touch.. i'm guessing lymph node that is by the spleen..

and also, i started taking probotics a couple days ago... i'm going to up it to 2 times a day though...
Posted 7/4/2009 1:35 PM (GMT -5)
Well, at least if you read the paper, then you saw what co-infections can cause your low WBC. Was hoping that could help alleviate some of your other worries.

I don't know enough about the spleen, however I know that it is compromised by mono type infections, and I think I recall by certain TBIs too. If this is your spleen, then I think you should consult w/ your PCP about it and not wait until Oct.

Do you have copies of your labs? Did they test you for any chronic diseases, like chronic mono? My PCP at least thought to do that!
Posted 7/4/2009 4:18 PM (GMT -5)

James, have you asked the doctor's office to notify you of any cancellations?  This may get you in sooner.  Or you could try another doctor to see if you can get in sooner.

You can order the test kit from IgeneX and take it to a doctor who is willing to draw the blood.  The results will be reported to the doctor.  It usually takes about three weeks to get the results back.  This could save you time because you could take the results with you to your appointment.  Make sure you are tested for the co-infections Babesiosis, both types of Ehrlichiosis, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma.  IgeneX can test for all except Mycoplasma.  Ehrlichiosis infects the white blood cells.  Some people who have it, not all, have a low white blood count from it.  Bartonella can cause swollen lymph nodes.

 

Posted 7/4/2009 4:26 PM (GMT -5)
Ticker, can you please tell me what this might cost? I don't think I need another WB and Dr ordered a CD57, but he has no faith in the lab that is testing me for co-infections.  He seemed to believe it might cost around $1500 or more to test for all the co-infections from Igenex.  What do you think?
Posted 7/4/2009 4:30 PM (GMT -5)
yeah, i did the Igenex stuff last week, and i figured by then i would have my results for the LLMD..


i'm thinking over and over to myself, For the most part i'm pretty sure i have BAbs, but i'm on Doxy.. which looks to be wrong.. how do i get the right treatment before its to late?
Posted 7/4/2009 4:35 PM (GMT -5)
James,


Treatment for babs is either Zithromax with Mepron or Biaxin with Mepron.

What symptoms do you have from babs?
Posted 7/4/2009 4:39 PM (GMT -5)
cajungrl

i have some, but my main concern is the DRY cough and tickle in my throat, i cannot shake it, everytime i cough i get anxious or nervous.. and it makes me said..

but every PCP tells me doxy for all co infections because they are trained that way.. i know mono can't give you a dry cough.. i looked it up. plus my throat doesnt hurt.

How do i go about getting these meds? and what happens if the Igenex results come back neg. I was thinking it could've been in between windows periods.. its been about 6 weeks since the EM rash...
Posted 7/4/2009 5:04 PM (GMT -5)
James, I had mono as a teenager and never had the sore throat or cough. Don't think I ever had a fever either. I just couldn't stay awake, in school or at the dinner table. I thought you'd said you have mono?

Would you please tell me what your igenex tests costed? There are so many to choose from on the price list that I can't even figure it out.
Posted 7/4/2009 5:08 PM (GMT -5)
i can't ever remember having mono before now.. my test on mono was a 2.24 and normal range is <.90.. it just worries me ALOT because usually the WBC count goes up with mono, but mine has gone downward..

i ordered all the test, i did the lyme plus all co's.. i want to say around 240 dollars.. i just did a search a looked for a price..

to be quite honest i didn't even pay attention to the cost, i just threw it on my credit card, got home and looked it up....
Posted 7/4/2009 5:18 PM (GMT -5)
James, Most llmds use the supplement Artemisinin in conjunction with others meds to treat Babs. You might want to start with this until you get to the llmd.

Also, try calling the llmd's office at least once a week to see if any cancellations came in even if you are on a wait list. Either you will get lucky like I did or they will get tired of you calling and possibly push you to the front of the wait list. lol Either way it's worth a shot. Good luck.
Posted 7/4/2009 5:23 PM (GMT -5)
^^ i was thinking about do that, i will call first thing this coming week.. I neglected to them that i have mono and the EM rash with a low WBC.. i thought if i would say that which is true they might be like "OH" you need help asap!!! like you said its worth a shot?

can i buy this supplement at any drug store? or do you have to get it online?
Posted 7/4/2009 5:36 PM (GMT -5)
James,

Your WBC count did not decrease until after you started the Doxycycline. I personally think there is a connection between the medication and your low WBC count. If I were you, I would not worry about your WBC count unless it goes below 2.0. I've had mine as low as 1.9 and yet I did not get the flus & colds that were going around at the time.

One thing you might want to think about is taking Cat's Claw - it is known to help reduce inflammation and boost the WBC's that are needed to fight Lyme bacteria (CD-57).

The body needs protein, fatty acids (fish oil), vitamins & minerals to make WBC's. If you aren't already doing so, I'd recommend adding a daily multi-vitamin/mineral supplement because this will help fill in any gaps caused by your decreased apatite (also a known side-effect of Doxy).

Also, it might do you some good to consult an acupuncturist - this can help your spleen, improve your immune system & energy level, and reduce anxiety (among other things). I always felt better after a good acupuncture treatment...

Good luck,
Posted 7/4/2009 6:11 PM (GMT -5)
razzle,

thank you!!!!

i will be very honest since hey thats what i do... I'm pretty much an open book!!

at the end of april, I PUSHED myself to run 30 miles in a week.. I was trying to get in shape, I OVER did it big time, i felt fine.. for about 2 days, then became sick.. I really think i had MONO before this just blew it off and i suppressed my immune system by over exercising.. This is what i think.. Then became very unfortunate and got a EM rash a month later.. I was sick already, add Insult to Injury!!! i was like NICE!!!

Razzle? Cats Claw? what is that, is that something i can buy locally?

I'm taking more pills than my 80 year old grandma right now..

I'm taking Doxy twice a day
1000mg Vitamin C
B12 Complex
Omega Fish Oil
1 Probotic
50 MG of Zinc

Am I over doing it?
Posted 7/4/2009 6:32 PM (GMT -5)
James,

Your definitely not over doing it. You should see all the supplements I take.
Posted 7/4/2009 7:21 PM (GMT -5)
James, I get my supplements from www.emersonecologics.com. The code for the artemisinin is ART29 and I was told to take it three times a day.
Posted 7/4/2009 11:14 PM (GMT -5)
^^^yes, right under my left ribcage is sore, its not bulging out or anything, but i can feel pain when i rub under the ribs. like small hard bumps that string along and are tender to touch..

i thought the spleen was under your left, down from the heart?
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