High White Blood Cell Count, Worry and Frustration: A Scary Story

[Scrappin4Spoons]

Hello Everyone
I want to start my post off with questions:
Has anyone ever had consistent issues with high white blood cell counts?
Has anyone had to have an Immunofixation Electrophoresis test done for non cancer related conditions?

I know, a weird intro, right?! So, I'm 7 years in from a Fibromyalgia diagnosis, and have always had normal lab work (except that value that goes up after exercise, I think it's CK). Now starting last year, I begin to receive steroid injections to help my back pain and rib pain so I can wear a bra at least and at LEAST 1 month after my last steroid injection last year, I have a lab draw that shows an uncomfortably high (for the NP I see) white blood cell count. 2 months later and 1 appointment before a referral to hematology, it finally returns to normal.
Last week (and no insurance), I self pay my way through an uncomfortable physical and lab draws. The next day, SURPRISE!!! The return of the uncomfortably high white blood cells (scream)!! NOW, she isn't messing around. NOW, she has ordered a redraw of all labs except Thyroid AND an Immunofixation Electrophoresis serum and urine.
I have gone round and round with her about the fact that I think I have more than Fibromyalgia, something inflammatory even though I don't have fevers, or red/swollen joints. I had my ANA, CRP, RH and Lupus testing all ran last year and was positive for all except rheumatoid and Lupus. She told me that if I went to another rheumatologist office again, they wouldn't even see me because my numbers aren't high enough.
I'm not feeling sick, my numbers aren't sick enough but enough so to pay out the nose for more tests to look further into the WBC count.
What gives. Thank you for allowing me to rant, my friends. I needed it so badly. Please excuse any spelling mistakes
Gentle hugs

 

[BlueBells]

Hi @Scrappin4Spoons

Welcome to the forums.

I've not seen those things mentioned by anyone, that doesn't mean much, as lots on here I haven't read.

We are just a mob of people that have fibro, so no medical experts here, just travelers on the journey.

People are al over the world, but sooner or later, others will pop in.

Take care

 

[Scrappin4Spoons]

@BlueBells thank you for the Welcome!
I should clarify, I'm not really seeking medical advice, so much as seeing if anyone else has been there, done that? Just trying not to feel alone in this odd situation.
I didn't see this post fitting in anywhere else in the forums other than "Moan, Complain and Vent" so that's where I placed it.
Thank you

 

[BlueBells]

@Scrappin4Spoons

I just mentioned it in case, as some come on and expect diagnosis and cures, but this is just forums.

Just a note, if you can hit the enter key a bit more often, and break the text into paragrahs, it's easier to read. Some of us have trouble with 'blocks' of writing, and the gaps help considerably.

Ain't fibro fun?

Take care, I'd better get to work, lunch break done and work calls . Hugs

 

[Scrappin4Spoons]

@BlueBells I TOTALLY understand and I will try to work on my formatting

Sorry everybody Fibromyalgia is a HOOT!

 

[SBee]

Hey @Scrappin4Spoons

I need my bloods taken every 2 weeks as I have this year started on meds for inflammatory arthritis and they meds can affect various levels. To be honest I have little knowledge of blood results and trust the drs know how high\low a result needs to go before action is taken. And yet hat doesnt stop me scaring myself stupid every time I have a look at the results...

I am a firm believer in doing as much research as I can from reputable sources and trying to stop before I convince myself I have a multitude of extra conditions ( like I need any more ).

What I will say is that some people are diagnosed with forms of inflammatory arthritis but not all their blood tests dont show the markers - known as seronegative inflammatory arthritis ( and their are a few types of this arthritis ) I am seronegative but was diagnosed via symptoms, xrays and scans.
Of course as @BlueBells says we arent medically experienced, but we can share our own knowledge of our health. Maybe take a look at 2 good sites ( UK based but the info is clear and respected ) NRAS and Versus Arthritis if you think something inflammatory may be lurking something may ring a bell for you - I was convinced of this myself and it took a good GP to listen to me and push tests further.

Its good you are pushing for yourself, fibromyalgia is hard enough to get get diagnosed and I believe us as individuals know when something is going on in our own bodies. Take care

 

[Scrappin4Spoons]

@SBee Thank you!! I'll take a look at those sites. I'm a firm believer in research, research, research!
I will certainly check out those sources, as after looking at the usual sources here in the states, it's good to get a fresh and a lot of times advanced perspective

It's exhausting to advocate for yourself constantly. Thanks again

 

[doni]

I've had a problem with elevated white blood cells. I had labs done every two months and they were elevated at least three more times. Then they finally went down. I'm curious to see if they go back up. I wondered if it could be related to fibro as there was no infection.

 

[Harpy]

I too have higher than the norm WBC, I get FBC done every 3 months to keep an eye on what the meds are doing.
Nothings been done about it we just think it’s my normal.