Marimac, you seem to know alot about CBC - Blood and Blood Vessel Message Board

LMM · 06-22-2004, 02:50 PM

results. Perhaps you can help me with mine. I had my annual physical in April and routine blood work. My WBC came back low 2.5. The doctor thought I maybe had a virus and to get it tested later. I just had it tested again. It is still 2.5 but now the RBC is also low, 3.54. I have an appt. on Monday with a Hemotologist/Oncologist. The Oncologist part of that terrifies me. I've been getting botox in my forehead for the last couple of years. Do you know of any reason botox could affect blood count? Thanks for your input.

Marimac · 06-22-2004, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMM

results. Perhaps you can help me with mine. I had my annual physical in April and routine blood work. My WBC came back low 2.5. The doctor thought I maybe had a virus and to get it tested later. I just had it tested again. It is still 2.5 but now the RBC is also low, 3.54. I have an appt. on Monday with a Hemotologist/Oncologist. The Oncologist part of that terrifies me. I've been getting botox in my forehead for the last couple of years. Do you know of any reason botox could affect blood count? Thanks for your input.

I am afraid that I do not know much about Botox except that it is used for pain relief. I do know that opiate based pain killers will cause the White Blood cell counts to be "off". Also I know that there are steroid and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs that will effect the WBC counts. I am afraid that is the sum total of my knowledge. The one other thing that needs to be considered is that the WBC counts are very short termed. Some of the individual types of blood cells only survive for 3 days others go back and forth in and out of the tissues and into the blood stream so you may have quite a variable White blood cell count and still be relatively healthy. The best person to consult would be the hematologist because that is their specialty. Good luck.

Chayse · 06-23-2004, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMM

results. Perhaps you can help me with mine. I had my annual physical in April and routine blood work. My WBC came back low 2.5. The doctor thought I maybe had a virus and to get it tested later. I just had it tested again. It is still 2.5 but now the RBC is also low, 3.54. I have an appt. on Monday with a Hemotologist/Oncologist. The Oncologist part of that terrifies me. I've been getting botox in my forehead for the last couple of years. Do you know of any reason botox could affect blood count? Thanks for your input.

Don't panic!! The two specialties ( Heme/Onc) often go together.
There many reasons for your blood counts to vary. You are going to the right place to find out. I know it is hard not to be frightened.
I hope all goes well.
Chayse

LMM · 06-23-2004, 06:33 AM

Actually, Botox is a form of botulism, a poison that paralyzes the muscles in the forehead. It's used alot by cosmetic surgeons to smooth out forehead wrinkles. It's been used for quite awhile and I've never read this has a side effect so I really don't think it could affect white count, but I'm trying to look at anything in my past that could be causing this. It's easy to say, "don't worry," but it's very difficult not to think about it. Thanks for your reply.

LMM · 07-11-2004, 06:27 AM

I have been diagnosed with MDS. The Hemotologist is referring me to a specialist in leukemia because my "blasts" are 20%. He thinks it will develop into leukemia. I am 53, 54 in September. I read that bone marrow transplant is the only cure. Is there a reason the cut off for bone marrow is 55? Is it an insurance thing or if you are healthy, can a bone marrow be done after 55?