I have had 4 FBC which have showed some abnormality and I was wondering if other PMR sufferers have had this problem. My Platelets are High, WCC slightly High, Basophils High, Neutrophils High, Lymphocytes High, Monocytes slightly low. Dr. wanting to send me to a Haemotologist, he thinks Prednisone could be causing this, I have been taking it for 17 months now, have gradually tapered down to 8mg on very slow reduction. Since I have tapered to lower dose I have had these abnormal blood results, when on high Prednisone 50mgs I did not have this problem with FBC.
My ESR today was very low, which was a good result and my pains are certainly not bad at the moment, just some small tingles in arms and legs.
Thank you for replying swiftly. I have been concerned that something else could be going on with abnormal FBC. Are you being treated for the abnormality? or does your Dr. say this is normal? My Platelets ar3 476. WCC 12.7. I have other abnormalities with MCH, MCHC, RDW, Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes.
You have put my mind at rest that someone else has this problem, though we could do without it. Did you go to a Haemotologist (blood Dr) after having this result?
My comment on end of blood count was from Pathologist was - mild neutrophilia, Mild thrombocytosis.
I am in Australia, and so happy I found this Forum, it certainly helps a lot.
Thank you for attaching your blood result. I also have ESR down quite low, after it being up in the 80's.
The difference with myself and yourself, is that when I was on high Prednisone like 50mg and 30mg I did not have any problem with bloods, only now when I got down to 8mg, the problem started.
I was diagnosed with PMR 18 months ago, how it changes your life.
I have always kept a record of my Bloods so I can compare but as you can see from the small section I cut some of the other results are not abnormal but on the high side. The info below I showed to my GP but he didn't seem that concerned.
Full comment via the bold bit using the usual method!
Quote from ncbi: In a retrospective study the data of 23 patients (14 women, 9 men; mean age 67.3 [48-84] years) with polymyalgia rheumatica were analysed: platelet counts, ESR and C-reactive protein had been measured at the time of diagnosis and 7, 14 and 21 days after start of glucocorticoid treatment. At the time of diagnosis 17 of 23 patients (74%) had a thrombocytosis (> 400,000/microliter), at a mean value of 511,000 (418,000-638,000)/microliter. The platelet count decreased more slowly than the inflammatory parameters. On average the platelet count returned to normal on the 14th day. Ischaemic complications developed in three patients (visual disturbances, blindness, cardiac arrhythmias, neurological deficits): all had a high platelet count (462,000-524,000/microliter).
Oh dear, did you really have to raise these questions? Sometimes you just don't want to know! I mean, there's nothing we can do about this anyway, is there?
Sorry Anhaga about raising this question, it is a worry, not sure if anything can be done, maybe a Haematologist can help with answers, PMR may not have caused this problem, there are other diseases that can give blood disorders, it all depends if one wants to know, and possibly be treated correctly.