Hi, my name is Marie, and I was wondering if there is anyone out there who can help. Almost a year ago I went to the doctor for a fungal infection (which I still have) and they put me on this drug called lamisil, because the drug effects your liver, I had to have monthly blood tests to make sure everything was okay. In these tests they found that my white blood count was high and had been apparently increasing since 1995. I have had multiple tests, and now they want to send me to a hemotologist (forgive me if I spelled that wrong). When I think of hemotologist I think cancer. I'm so scared right now. Can anyone tell me what he is going to do? I don't think I have any other signs, I mean, I'm tired but I have two kids. I don't really bruise easy. I also had Mono this past summer. I'm just really confused. I guess I just need someone to talk to and reassure me that I'm not the only one, beacause I feel so alone right now. Thank you for listening.

Marie Francis

Hi Marie:

A Hemotologist is a blood disorder specialist which includes a wide range of blood diseases, of which some belong in the cancer group. For example, most anemias have nothing to do with cancer, nor does thalassemia.

Some meds can suppress the bone marrow which means they suppress blood component production. This in turn means fewer white blood cells being produced, thus a suppressed immune function.

Mono, a virus, can also affect the immune system function.

Basically, you've got three possible and different reasons for your reduced immune function. So, unless there's a very specific test or series of tests that your doctor[s] can do to obtain a specific diagnosis, they're going to have to treat you symptomatically. There's also a possibility that each of the three factors are actively contributing to your current health status, thereby requiring a three-prong treatment.

All of these are merely guesses. Do try to get as much information from your doctors as possible. Also, please try to not get discouraged if you don't get a firm diagnosis right away.

Suggest you look up more information on the MedLinePlus database - it's part of the NIH so the information is quite reliable. MedLinePlus has both medical and drug information.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/healthtopics.html

Good luck,
Jay