Anyone know how this is related to the immune system?
I read in a lupus book that the lyphocytes show how your
immune system is working. But when we ask the
doctor he says they are abnormal because of prednisone?

Lymphocytes are an important part of the immune system for fighting off infection. So levels may be low for the usual reasons.
However they can be low because of abnormal immune system activity caused by chronic diseases and also by autoimmune activity as with lupus.
Numerous medications including prednisone can reduce levels. It doesn't sound as if you have much faith in your doctor or as if there was good communication with him perahpsd you should be looking for another who inspires more confidence.
Take care
Lally

Thanks for the info.

My mom is loosing confidence, partially, I don't
think it is his fault, because he doesn't know how to
read the blood work, as it corresponds to lupus immune
disease activity.Perhaps we should see an immunologist.

When we ask her rheumy about the lympocytes and
monocytes going up/down he just says its from
the prednisone?

Maybe it is from the Prednisone but what does not being "able to read the blood work" mean ?

By the way many doctors don't bother with the ANA after diagnosis because it isn't reckoned and indicator of disease activity , as is the anti ds DNA titre.

Be that as it may you clearly have no confidence in him for lots of reasons, some of which would seem justifiable like the failure to get bone density tests done .

What did he propose as osteoporosis prevention ?
Calcium or one of the several other preventative and bone building medications ?
If nothing and if your Mom has been taking pred for any length of time and in view of her age and lupus anyway tends to deplete bone density, I would regard that as a serious omission.

In your place I would be seeking a second opinion
Take care
Lally

thanks Lally

He is too lax and not aggressive enough
I made another appt referred to us by the dermatologist
only thing we can't get in until Jan/04