Any medical professionals on here? Need opinions.

I know that I should ask my doctor but she is not in again until Friday.

2 weeks ago I had a physical. It was more like a follow up to all the issues I had in 2015. I feel fine. Not 100% like I was presurgery but not terrible.

They did blood work and I was on my way.

Today I get a letter in the mail. It's a confirmation of an appointment on April 6 with an oncologist!!!! What—??

I called my doctors office for info and she will not be back until Friday. Small town problems. She is only here twice a week. A nurse did call me back. All she could tell me was that my lymphocytes were high, my neutrophils were low and ANA marker was positive or high. I don't know. This is really freaking me out. What could it be? Is it possible that it is nothing?

And 2015 everything went to hell. I never ever got sick prior to then. It started with a flu in January, early February was ruptured and gangrene appendix. They removed it laparoscopic which resulted in an abscess that resulted in another surgery, in March my gallbladder went. It was removed robotic. In August I had to be open because scar tissue was causing problems with blood supply. Of course, I ended up with a huge abscess in September so I was back in the hospital. They choose to shrink it with antibiotics so I was in the hospital for awhile. I guess it was located too close to a blood vessel and they didn't want to drain it radiology unless necessary. It shrunk and was gone completely by feb 2016. I haven't had problems since.

The surgeon did tell me in March that my blood work was "wonky" and suggested I see a hematologist but my pc refused the referral. She didn't think it was necessary.

Posted by Deedee86
I know that I should ask my doctor but she is not in again until Friday.

2 weeks ago I had a physical. It was more like a follow up to all the issues I had in 2015. I feel fine. Not 100% like I was presurgery but not terrible.

They did blood work and I was on my way.

Today I get a letter in the mail. It's a confirmation of an appointment on April 6 with an oncologist!!!! What—??

I called my doctors office for info and she will not be back until Friday. Small town problems. She is only here twice a week. A nurse did call me back. All she could tell me was that my lymphocytes were high, my neutrophils were low and ANA marker was positive or high. I don't know. This is really freaking me out. What could it be? Is it possible that it is nothing?

An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer. No, they don't answer a lot of questions in the beginning - they didn't for me either - it was F'd up for sure ... I hope that it turns out to be nothing but don't be surprised something is going on - your bloodwork is telling the story ... good luck!

Posted by tcta

Posted by Deedee86
I know that I should ask my doctor but she is not in again until Friday.

2 weeks ago I had a physical. It was more like a follow up to all the issues I had in 2015. I feel fine. Not 100% like I was presurgery but not terrible.

They did blood work and I was on my way.

Today I get a letter in the mail. It's a confirmation of an appointment on April 6 with an oncologist!!!! What—??

I called my doctors office for info and she will not be back until Friday. Small town problems. She is only here twice a week. A nurse did call me back. All she could tell me was that my lymphocytes were high, my neutrophils were low and ANA marker was positive or high. I don't know. This is really freaking me out. What could it be? Is it possible that it is nothing?

An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer. No, they don't answer a lot of questions in the beginning - they didn't for me either - it was F'd up for sure ... I hope that it turns out to be nothing but don't be surprised something is going on - your bloodwork is telling the story ... good luck!

click to expand

Thank you.

I feel fine so this is a shock.

If I use google it has me dead.

Posted by Deedee86

Posted by tcta

Posted by Deedee86
I know that I should ask my doctor but she is not in again until Friday.

2 weeks ago I had a physical. It was more like a follow up to all the issues I had in 2015. I feel fine. Not 100% like I was presurgery but not terrible.

They did blood work and I was on my way.

Today I get a letter in the mail. It's a confirmation of an appointment on April 6 with an oncologist!!!! What—??

I called my doctors office for info and she will not be back until Friday. Small town problems. She is only here twice a week. A nurse did call me back. All she could tell me was that my lymphocytes were high, my neutrophils were low and ANA marker was positive or high. I don't know. This is really freaking me out. What could it be? Is it possible that it is nothing?

An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer. No, they don't answer a lot of questions in the beginning - they didn't for me either - it was F'd up for sure ... I hope that it turns out to be nothing but don't be surprised something is going on - your bloodwork is telling the story ... good luck!

Thank you.

I feel fine so this is a shock.

If I use google it has me dead.

click to expand

I felt fine too. Don't worry until you know all the facts - whatever it is I hope you've got good medical near you - if not, get it - it makes all the world of difference - even get a second opinion if you can because having more information gives you more head control ... it's a pain in the azz - but it truly isn't over until the fat lady sings ... and she never showed up on my watch - so I'm good !

Posted by tcta

Posted by Deedee86

Posted by tcta

Posted by Deedee86
I know that I should ask my doctor but she is not in again until Friday.

2 weeks ago I had a physical. It was more like a follow up to all the issues I had in 2015. I feel fine. Not 100% like I was presurgery but not terrible.

They did blood work and I was on my way.

Today I get a letter in the mail. It's a confirmation of an appointment on April 6 with an oncologist!!!! What—??

I called my doctors office for info and she will not be back until Friday. Small town problems. She is only here twice a week. A nurse did call me back. All she could tell me was that my lymphocytes were high, my neutrophils were low and ANA marker was positive or high. I don't know. This is really freaking me out. What could it be? Is it possible that it is nothing?

An oncologist is a doctor who treats cancer. No, they don't answer a lot of questions in the beginning - they didn't for me either - it was F'd up for sure ... I hope that it turns out to be nothing but don't be surprised something is going on - your bloodwork is telling the story ... good luck!

Thank you.

I feel fine so this is a shock.

If I use google it has me dead.

I felt fine too. Don't worry until you know all the facts - whatever it is I hope you've got good medical near you - if not, get it - it makes all the world of difference - even get a second opinion if you can because having more information gives you more head control ... it's a pain in the azz - but it truly isn't over until the fat lady sings ... and she never showed up on my watch - so I'm good !

click to expand

Did you have cancer? Sorry if that's too forward. I understand if you don't want to answer.

What were the signs?

And I'm in a small town so medical care is awful but there are too notch facilities a couple hours from me.

I felt fine too. Don't worry until you know all the facts - whatever it is I hope you've got good medical near you - if not, get it - it makes all the world of difference - even get a second opinion if you can because having more information gives you more head control ... it's a pain in the azz - but it truly isn't over until the fat lady sings ... and she never showed up on my watch - so I'm good !



Did you have cancer? Sorry if that's too forward. I understand if you don't want to answer.

What were the signs?

And I'm in a small town so medical care is awful but there are too notch facilities a couple hours from me.





I did - and there were no signs - at all ... go for the better facilities - they have more experience and more equipment and better everything ...

@Reincarnation is a trainee doctor



Try not to worry x

Not a medical professional but I read a lot of charts (mine and others). High ANA means some kind of autoimmunity (sometimes Lupus but you need more tests to confirm).. Inflammation is confirmed with the high lymphocytes and low neutrophils.

It's odd that you're being referred to an oncologist, but I guess it's better to rule out the major stuff first and then go from there.

Posted by sultrykitty
Not a medical professional but I read a lot of charts (mine and others). High ANA means some kind of autoimmunity (sometimes Lupus but you need more tests to confirm).. Inflammation is confirmed with the high lymphocytes and low neutrophils.

It's odd that you're being referred to an oncologist, but I guess it's better to rule out the major stuff first and then go from there.

Thank you. In dec 2015 they did test me for autoimmune diseases. Not all because there are so many but I know that Lyme, Thyroid issues and Diabetes were all negative. I guess something in my blood tests back then indicated some kind of issue but I had no symptoms and they couldn't find anything.

Weird that they didn't send you to a hematologist if there were oddities that weren't alarming enough to warrant a hospital visit. You've been tested for Lupus and Hepatitis, right?

If your levels were either dangerously high or dangerously low, you would have likely been sent to the hospital.

What was your WBC count? And did your previous surgery have anything to do with your kidneys at all?

Posted by ashley1734
Weird that they didn't send you to a hematologist if there were oddities that weren't alarming enough to warrant a hospital visit. You've been tested for Lupus and Hepatitis, right?

If your levels were either dangerously high or dangerously low, you would have likely been sent to the hospital.

What was your WBC count? And did your previous surgery have anything to do with your kidneys at all?

Previous surgeries were ruptured appendix and gallbladder. I will unhide my above post with details.

I don't know exact WBC but pretty sure it was low

Posted by Deedee86
And 2015 everything went to hell. I never ever got sick prior to then. It started with a flu in January, early February was ruptured and gangrene appendix. They removed it laparoscopic which resulted in an abscess that resulted in another surgery, in March my gallbladder went. It was removed robotic. In August I had to be open because scar tissue was causing problems with blood supply. Of course, I ended up with a huge abscess in September so I was back in the hospital. They choose to shrink it with antibiotics so I was in the hospital for awhile. I guess it was located too close to a blood vessel and they didn't want to drain it radiology unless necessary. It shrunk and was gone completely by feb 2016. I haven't had problems since.

The surgeon did tell me in March that my blood work was "wonky" and suggested I see a hematologist but my pc refused the referral. She didn't think it was necessary.

FFS why does your pcp refuse to refer you? I work in cardiology at a hospital and believe me when I say that some small town doctors would rather treat their patients badly then send them elsewhere to get better treatment. Because they are afraid of losing their service. I am not crapping you. I hear it all the time from my patients who live far out there. I surely hope that is not the case but this can happen. That is why I told her to go to a better / larger facility. I see it here. Some people drive freaking 8 hours to see our doctors and come to this hospital. Even the small hospitals in their areas sucks.

In reading back through, they might be sending her to an oncologist because they don't have anyone else to send her too. So don't worry @OP until you get all the facts. Then go to the big place and get a second opinion. You can coordinate more than one appointment for when you go if need be. That is what people do here.

I'm wondering if perhaps during either of those surgeries, you could have had damage to lymphatic tissue causing a drainage.

Otherwise, I would say it may just be a viral infection.

Only a med school dropout though.

Posted by tcta

Posted by Deedee86
And 2015 everything went to hell. I never ever got sick prior to then. It started with a flu in January, early February was ruptured and gangrene appendix. They removed it laparoscopic which resulted in an abscess that resulted in another surgery, in March my gallbladder went. It was removed robotic. In August I had to be open because scar tissue was causing problems with blood supply. Of course, I ended up with a huge abscess in September so I was back in the hospital. They choose to shrink it with antibiotics so I was in the hospital for awhile. I guess it was located too close to a blood vessel and they didn't want to drain it radiology unless necessary. It shrunk and was gone completely by feb 2016. I haven't had problems since.

The surgeon did tell me in March that my blood work was "wonky" and suggested I see a hematologist but my pc refused the referral. She didn't think it was necessary.

FFS why does your pcp refuse to refer you? I work in cardiology at a hospital and believe me when I say that some small town doctors would rather treat their patients badly then send them elsewhere to get better treatment. Because they are afraid of losing their service. I am not crapping you. I hear it all the time from my patients who live far out there. I surely hope that is not the case but this can happen. That is why I told her to go to a better / larger facility. I see it here. Some people drive freaking 8 hours to see our doctors and come to this hospital. Even the small hospitals in their areas sucks.

In reading back through, they might be sending her to an oncologist because they don't have anyone else to send her too. So don't worry @OP until you get all the facts. Then go to the big place and get a second opinion. You can coordinate more than one appointment for when you go if need be. That is what people do here.

click to expand

I get very aggravated with my pc doctor. I never went very often until after these surgeries. I feel like I'm bothering her by even being there.

It's very hard to find someone that is accepting new patients. I never really had a need to search until recently.

When I did have all those problems, I never presented as sick. My WBC was low and no fever, major pain or vomiting. I walked in the er feeling ok with the exception of a weird burning and an inner voice telling me to go to the hospital.

They also made the decision to remove a ruptured appendix laparoscopically. I didn't know much about it but after developing so many complications I learned that I should've been opened and cleaned out.

So my appointment was yesterday. I was very comfortable with the doctor. She asked a lot of questions, did a thorough exam and put a rush on a ton of blood tests.

She mentioned that my WBC was 2.9 in 2015 and 2.6 in 2017. Again, I don't know what that could mean. She simply said that she will get to the bottom of it. I also tested positive for Epstein Barre but she explained about 90% of people do so it's not a huge deal. The diagnosisis on the lab work said neutropenia. My next appointment is in 6 days.

Posted by Deedee86
So my appointment was yesterday. I was very comfortable with the doctor. She asked a lot of questions, did a thorough exam and put a rush on a ton of blood tests.

She mentioned that my WBC was 2.9 in 2015 and 2.6 in 2017. Again, I don't know what that could mean. She simply said that she will get to the bottom of it. I also tested positive for Epstein Barre but she explained about 90% of people do so it's not a huge deal. The diagnosisis on the lab work said neutropenia. My next appointment is in 6 days.

@Reincarnation

Doesn't that mean your white blood cell count has gone down since 2015...isn't that a good thing?

Maybe when you are with her again you ask her to go into detail...you have a right, it's your body Dee

🙂

Posted by blackmoon
High levels of lymphocytes and low number of neutrophils could have been caused by your infection with the flu back then mm, your wbc count is high

Hematocrit should probably be checked to see if thats just the case with white blood cells or red blood cells.. its not confirmed so it could or could not be leukemia​ or alastic anemia..And even if it is it's better to be sure now..So you have chances of treating it better

She told me that my WBC was too low.

But portion that were lymphocytes were too high.

Now I'm really confused. I have to stay away from google or webmd because they always present worst case scenario.

She ordered a ton of bloodwork. They made me drink a bottle of juice before and after. Hopefully it will give me some answers.

BTW I feel fine.

I had some similar result 20 years ago and it was nothing wrong with me.

Try not to worry, but understand that neutropenia could be a symptom for something more serious, that needs to be excluded, so follow the tests you need to take, for your peace of mind.

Below is the WORST scenario (nicely explained by Medline plus):

White blood cells fight infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi. and other pathogens (organisms that cause infection). One important type of white blood cell is the neutrophil. These cells are made in bone marrow and travel in the blood throughout the body. They sense infections, gather at sites of infection, and destroy the pathogens.

When the body has too few neutrophils, the condition is called neutropenia. This makes it harder for the body to fight off pathogens. As a result the person is more likely to get sick from infections. In general, an adult who has fewer than 1,000 neutrophils in a microliter of blood has neutropenia.

If the neutrophil count is very low, (fewer than 500 neutrophils in a microliter of blood), it is called severe neutropenia. When the neutrophil count gets this low, even the bacteria normally living in a person's mouth, skin, and gut can cause serious infections.

Why it Occurs

A person with cancer can get a low white blood cell count from the cancer or from treatment for the cancer. Cancer may be in the bone marrow, causing fewer neutrophils to be made. The white blood cell count can also go down when cancer is treated with chemotherapy drugs, which slow bone marrow production of healthy white blood cells.

Other causes of a low white blood cell count include:

Crohn disease

Infections, such as tuberculosis (TB) or certain viruses like HIV

Lupus (also called systemic lupus erythematosus)

Radiation

Rheumatoid arthritis

Some medicines, such as those that treat infections, high blood pressure, or seizures

Posted by Undine
I had some similar result 20 years ago and it was nothing wrong with me.

Try not to worry, but understand that neutropenia could be a symptom for something more serious, that needs to be excluded, so follow the tests you need to take, for your peace of mind.

Below is the WORST scenario (nicely explained by Medline plus):

White blood cells fight infections from bacteria, viruses, fungi. and other pathogens (organisms that cause infection). One important type of white blood cell is the neutrophil. These cells are made in bone marrow and travel in the blood throughout the body. They sense infections, gather at sites of infection, and destroy the pathogens.

When the body has too few neutrophils, the condition is called neutropenia. This makes it harder for the body to fight off pathogens. As a result the person is more likely to get sick from infections. In general, an adult who has fewer than 1,000 neutrophils in a microliter of blood has neutropenia.

If the neutrophil count is very low, (fewer than 500 neutrophils in a microliter of blood), it is called severe neutropenia. When the neutrophil count gets this low, even the bacteria normally living in a person's mouth, skin, and gut can cause serious infections.

Why it Occurs

A person with cancer can get a low white blood cell count from the cancer or from treatment for the cancer. Cancer may be in the bone marrow, causing fewer neutrophils to be made. The white blood cell count can also go down when cancer is treated with chemotherapy drugs, which slow bone marrow production of healthy white blood cells.

Other causes of a low white blood cell count include:

Crohn disease

Infections, such as tuberculosis (TB) or certain viruses like HIV

Lupus (also called systemic lupus erythematosus)

Radiation

Rheumatoid arthritis

Some medicines, such as those that treat infections, high blood pressure, or seizures

Thank you.

I know that a few of them have been ruled out already. I take no medications so that's out. HIV, TB and RA are ruled out and I don't seem to fit Lupus but it hasn't been 100% ruled out yet.

Crohn's has never been mentioned but I just looked it up and I don't have any of the symptoms so I don't think it's even on the radar.

Radiation is interesting. In 2015 I had over 20 CT scans in less then 6 months plus MRI and nuclear scan. The exposure definitely concerned me at the time and I did question it back then.

Posted by Deedee86
Thank you.

I know that a few of them have been ruled out already. I take no medications so that's out. HIV, TB and RA are ruled out and I don't seem to fit Lupus but it hasn't been 100% ruled out yet.

Crohn's has never been mentioned but I just looked it up and I don't have any of the symptoms so I don't think it's even on the radar.

Radiation is interesting. In 2015 I had over 20 CT scans in less then 6 months plus MRI and nuclear scan. The exposure definitely concerned me at the time and I did question it back then.

They are worried about your low blood counts on a few different type of blood cells and apparent immune type antibodies they found. Sounds like this has been going on for a while (several years?) I wish you the best of luck and hope it turns out to be nothing, you may or may not benefit from trying to self diagnose but it could really stress you out too to read about all these different diseases. Hopefully you dont get a minor case of hypochondria in the process 😛

Radiation I would not worry about, it takes upwards of 20+ years before any of the effects are seen. CT scan and nuclear scans can give you ionizing radiation but MRI does not. If you do get worried about this, mention to your physician that you've had this number of scans in a relative short period of time and are worried about it.

Please keep us informed with as much as you are willing to share.

@Reincarnation, when do you qualify? You could be Dxp's resident doc 😛

Posted by rabidtalker

Posted by Deedee86
Thank you.

I know that a few of them have been ruled out already. I take no medications so that's out. HIV, TB and RA are ruled out and I don't seem to fit Lupus but it hasn't been 100% ruled out yet.

Crohn's has never been mentioned but I just looked it up and I don't have any of the symptoms so I don't think it's even on the radar.

Radiation is interesting. In 2015 I had over 20 CT scans in less then 6 months plus MRI and nuclear scan. The exposure definitely concerned me at the time and I did question it back then.

They are worried about your low blood counts on a few different type of blood cells and apparent immune type antibodies they found. Sounds like this has been going on for a while (several years?) I wish you the best of luck and hope it turns out to be nothing, you may or may not benefit from trying to self diagnose but it could really stress you out too to read about all these different diseases. Hopefully you dont get a minor case of hypochondria in the process 😛

Radiation I would not worry about, it takes upwards of 20+ years before any of the effects are seen. CT scan and nuclear scans can give you ionizing radiation but MRI does not. If you do get worried about this, mention to your physician that you've had this number of scans in a relative short period of time and are worried about it.

Please keep us informed with as much as you are willing to share.

click to expand

I think it's the doctors trying to convince me something is wrong. I felt fine and was just going for routine tests and now they got me all worked up.

So I had my follow up today and it seems that I have a b12 deficiency. That is probably the best case scenario. I have prescription vitamins and will get retested in 3 months. If it's still low we will try injections.

Posted by Deedee86
So I had my follow up today and it seems that I have a b12 deficiency. That is probably the best case scenario. I have prescription vitamins and will get retested in 3 months. If it's still low we will try injections.

Glad you are okay Dee 🙂

Posted by Deedee86
So I had my follow up today and it seems that I have a b12 deficiency. That is probably the best case scenario. I have prescription vitamins and will get retested in 3 months. If it's still low we will try injections.

😐





That's good news, Deedee. 🙂

Posted by Deedee86
So I had my follow up today and it seems that I have a b12 deficiency. That is probably the best case scenario. I have prescription vitamins and will get retested in 3 months. If it's still low we will try injections.

That is great news!

Posted by MyStarsShine
@Reincarnation, when do you qualify? You could be Dxp's resident doc 😛

In my mind he already is our resident Dr..... One day, I had this weird allergic reaction, no joke my first thought, was, "I wonder, if he would mind, me snapping a pic and PM'ing it to him" lol, I resisted but I thought about it. —? @reincarnation

Posted by Reincarnation

Posted by Deedee86
So I had my follow up today and it seems that I have a b12 deficiency. That is probably the best case scenario. I have prescription vitamins and will get retested in 3 months. If it's still low we will try injections.

Should've gone to the methyl B12 injections right away IMO.

click to expand

One of my friends said the same thing. Do I need a script or can I just walk in a Walgreens mobile clinic and get one?

Aha! I take Methyl B Complex for a MTHFR mutation (the most common cause of Pernicious Anemia; B12 deficiency). I'm not deficient it but my brother is and it causes a lot of health problems.

Glad to know they found it. Did you get Vit D checked? How were your levels? Did the doc say anything about the positive ANA?

Posted by sultrykitty
Aha! I take Methyl B Complex for a MTHFR mutation (the most common cause of Pernicious Anemia; B12 deficiency). I'm not deficient it but my brother is and it causes a lot of health problems.

Glad to know they found it. Did you get Vit D checked? How were your levels? Did the doc say anything about the positive ANA?

She said some people have positive ANA with no autoimmune disorder. I tested negative for everything. Her only concerns were b12 (causes low WBC) and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes. I have another blood draw and follow up in July.