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fluctuating WBC count - remicade/imuran

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/23/2016 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
back in november i got bloodwork done and my wbc count was a bit low but i did have a cold. I got bloodwork done again last friday and my General practionner called this morning to tell me that i should call my GI cause my WBC was still low. i called my GI this morning and they cant see me till the 11th of march. when i saw my GI back in november she told me that if my WBC count was still low we would start alternating my imuran to alternating 25 mg every other day and 50 mg every other day. should i start doing that now or wait till i see my GI?
Posted 2/23/2016 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
I think if you needed to start it now, they would have said that. I always had a low WBC on 6mp and I had to do the same as you describe. I remember I had to stop completely one time because the numbers got really low. Is it low, like 3? or low like 1? 3 is usually seen as low-normal.
Posted 2/23/2016 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
my doc didnt tell me the count exactly. she said its not dangerous so i guess its not too low. but she did say that i should call my GI to make an appointment to change my dosage.
Posted 2/23/2016 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
It depends how low is low, in your case. Can you see/ask about your score and the reference range for WBC? If you're just under the range by a tenth of a point or two then there's more time. If you're out of range by a whole point or more then your risk of infection is very high and more immediate action is required. Hard saying, not knowing more details.
Posted 2/24/2016 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
Wait until you see your GI before you do any med changes. Have them do another blood test to see if your WBC changed. If you alternate now, it might mess you up. I also went thru the alternate dosages while on Remicade not because of WBC but due to liver toxicity.
Posted 2/24/2016 3:55 AM (GMT 0)
My doc made me go off Imuran for two to four weeks so they we could determine if my WBC would rise. It did, but when I went on it again. my WBC shot right down.

Perhaps you can switch to 6MP. I would ask to have your WBC watched regularly so that you know if you're going down. My doctor had me get blood tests every week when the med was messing me up.
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