low absolute neutrophils on ivig?

    • Anonymous
      July 19, 2010 at 8:22 pm

      I got a call from my neuro’s office last week to hold on IVIG infusions until my neutrophil level comes up. Absolute neutrophil level was 656, normal adult range is 1500-8000. Had a blood draw again on thursday and called drs office again today. Left a message asking abt levels. Thinking things are still too low, because I didn’t get a call back.

      Anyone else have experience with low absolute neutrophils while on ivig?

    • Anonymous
      July 20, 2010 at 4:53 pm

      Here’s a good article I found after reading your question.

      Again, I’m not saying you have any disease. Just giving you a link to info.

      “One measure of risk is the absolute neutrophil count (ANC). The ANC is calculated by multiplying the total white blood count by the percent of neutrophils (also called segmented neutrophils, segs, polymorphoneucleated cells or PMNs, polys) ”

      Here: [url]http://www.chemocare.com/managing/low_blood_counts.asp[/url]

      so, a low level is related to the risk of infection. Dr. said…..

      Hmmm, I’d want to know more relating to why the counts are so low.

      As a side note. There is an exhaustive (to read ) study that ends with “In summary, IVIG therapy did not reduce infections, bacteremia, fungemia, or infectious death in neutropenic patients. No proven role for IVIG exists for the prevention of infection in these patients.”

      I’m an opposite sort of guy. You see while it did not reduce infections, neither did it make infections worse!

    • Anonymous
      July 20, 2010 at 6:16 pm

      thanks yuehan,

      My neuro’s office did say some people get drops in neutrophil levels with ivig…I’ve been on it for 3 yrs, this is a first for me.

      Except for a sore throat..negative for strep, and sore foot, possible broken toe and ?, I’m feeling rather good these days. I’ve been taking nuvigil for 3 wks and my legs really don’t give out on me and my balance is much improved.

      So, I’m enjoying summer, driving again and swimming, picking blueberries, having fun. I began to panic when I got the neutrophil level call, but then decided against it as I’m feeling the best I have in a couple of yrs.

      Oh, well, we’ll see what happens!

    • Anonymous
      July 20, 2010 at 6:25 pm

      Erin,

      I agree with don’t panic and the having fun, kicking back part.

      Where do you find blueberries to pick? The only place I ever picked berries (blue) is in Denali Nat’l Park in Alaska back when it was McKinley Nat’l Park.

      Oh, I forgot, I also picked some in a u-pick place in Central Florida. Go figure.

    • Anonymous
      July 20, 2010 at 6:46 pm

      Hey Yuehan,
      I live in NH. There is a large u-pick farm in my town that I have been picking at for 21 yrs. I also have wild blueberries in the wooded area of my yard, though this years heat has toasted many of them. The u-pick farm in town is near the lake and town beach, so today a swam a little before and after. I swim year round (inside when it’s cold) and have for years. It really helps keep my body and mind balanced.