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479 Replies Last post: Jan 14, 2010 6:46 PM by Tex   1 2 3 ... 32 Previous Next
PBS99   221 posts since
Jun 10, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Jun 11, 2009 8:26 PM

WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

Hi everyone. I haven't been here in a long, long time. The boards are so different.  It is taking me some time to get used to the new format.

 

My mom had her SCT on March 11th and had been doing very well up until a few weeks ago when her counts started dropping.  As of Monday, her WBC was 1.68, her Neutrophils were 66 and her platelets were 93,000.  She saw the doctor again yesterday and her counts had dropped some more (I don't have those numbers).  He told her that there are no leukemia cells in her smears but that he wanted a bone marrow biopsy done.  She had that this morning (she is being treated at the Cleveland Clinic) and we won't have any information until (at the earliest) Friday but most likely next week. He ordered all kinds of tests so the results will come in at different times.

 

I am wondering if anyone knows what would cause this to happen?  Her 100 day mark is June 19th.  She has had some slight GVHD - mostly diarrhea but nothing serious. Could the dropping counts be the signs of a relapse?  She had no cancer cells when she had the SCT in March.

 

Thanks in advance for any help or information anyone can give me.

 

Polly

Sk8erSpanky   168 posts since
Apr 4, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
1. Jun 11, 2009 8:39 PM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

Counts can drop for a number of reasons. My counts have recently dropped a few weeks ago and I am over a year out. Anything from an infection, to GVHD can cause the counts to drop. Any sort of change in medication can do the same thing. The docotors usual thing is to order a BMB so dont be alarmed, especially so close to the 100 day mark, which right now would be about the same time the would do a BMB anyways.

 

~Frank

sch   21 posts since
Jun 1, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
3. Jun 12, 2009 4:59 AM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

hey,

 

cmv reactivation has an effect on the bone marrow. my platelets were dropping but recovered after treatment for cmv started

 

sc

sch   21 posts since
Jun 1, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
5. Jun 12, 2009 8:43 AM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

cmv is cytomegalovirus, one that is present in most people and remains inactive because the immune system is enough to supress it.

 

in bmt patients, due to a weak or recovering immune system,  the cmv virus becomes active usually with no visible symptoms. though as it begins to increase in numbers as viruses multiply, it causes myelosuppresion (suppression of blood cells production in the bone marrow). its treated with an anti-viral drug called valgancyclovir that gets rid of it till its not detected in the blood.

 

tests showed cmv was active and platelets were falling. the drug caused a decrease in virus and increase in platelets at the same time.

 

i do not know if it causes drops in wbc as well.

 

sc

Sk8erSpanky   168 posts since
Apr 4, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
6. Jun 12, 2009 10:41 AM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

I would no be to concerened at the moment. Wait until you hear the results. like I said anything could do this, but I remember when it happened to me every time I thought it was relapse, so I dont blame you for hinking the worst. You have a better chance of it being something totally unnreleted to leukemia.

 

~Frank

Tex   3,897 posts since
Apr 3, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
7. Jun 12, 2009 10:48 AM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

Dropping counts can be a sign of relapse.  They can mean any number of other things, as well.

 

These are significant drops, so it's good the doc is doing the BMB to make sure there's no relapse.  But, again, a lot of things can drop counts.  Mine started dropping about three years out.  No one knows for sure but it looks like there a decrease in the cellularity (blood cells in the marrow compared to fat cells) might have been the culprit.

 

No one knows why it dropped and my last BMB showed it back to normal levels.  My counts seem to be coming back up, too.

 

While that's pretty rare and I'm not suggesting that's what's happening to your mom. it does show how far out counts can drop and how varied the cause can be.  As for CMV they probably told your mom if she tested CMV positive or negative before the transplant.  If she tested negative and the donor was negative, it's not an issue.

 

Blessings

KyGuy   1,271 posts since
Apr 3, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
8. Jun 12, 2009 1:13 PM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

It's good that they're doing the bmb.  If nothing else for peace of mind.  If she and her donor were a cmv mismatch, they would be testing for cmv regularly at this point.  It's typical for counts to be odd around day 60.  In her case they've lasted a while so I'm glad they're doing the bmb.

About 9 months out my counts started to drop and the doc ordered a bmb.  It turned out that a couple of my meds weren't getting along.  They cut both of them out and my counts bounced back.  I hope it's something as simple as that.

Take care,

Kelly

pamd   1,347 posts since
Apr 3, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
9. Jun 12, 2009 2:09 PM in response to: KyGuy
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Let us know how the BMB comes out.

Sk8erSpanky   168 posts since
Apr 4, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
12. Jun 12, 2009 8:18 PM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

Tex has never relapsed post SCT (sorry for answering for you tex). ANY changes in meds can effect counts, but you probably are going to keep coming up with scenarios and thinking the worst until you get the results. Your best bet is to just try and relax and wait for the results. Easier said than done, but if the doc didnt say "Thgis is or could be leukemia" I would not be worried.

 

~Frank

Sk8erSpanky   168 posts since
Apr 4, 2009
Currently Being Moderated
14. Jun 12, 2009 9:01 PM in response to: PBS99
Re: WBC, Neutrophils and Platelets dropping post March 11th SCT

Well hang in there! waiting is by far the worst part. I pretty much live on xanex while waiting for results

 

~Frank

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