Hello everyone...haven't posted in awhile. Quick recap diagnosed RR in 2006. Avonex for 6 months then switch
to copaxone after I developed depression on Avonex. On
Copaxone until oct 2010 when I had a flare and MRI showed increase in number and size of lesions. Neuro and I decided to try Rebif, but since I was scheduled for same day surgery to relieve pressure off nerve in my neck, we decided to wait until after surgery and recovery to start new med.
Had the surgery mid-Nov and woke in recovery room paralyzed on right side. High dose steroids and excellent care at hospital and rehabilitation hospital got me back to point where I could bear weight on R leg and regained some use of R hand. Home by Christmas, albeit with a wheelchair as I still couldn't bear weight. Finally started to taper off high dose steroids in Feb....started Rebif in March, 1st on titration pack then 22mcg then 44mcg.
Had a couple UTI's over the summer, and another flare in May that was treated with IV steroids, and this time they did not seem to relieve the symptoms as they had in the past. Also noticed June/July that I was running low grade fevers, and since Jan had lost about 30 pounds.
Fast forward to last week saw Infectious Disease specialist who did lots of bloodwork and initial results that are back show WBC of 3.0, RBC 3.9 and Platelets 170. These are quite different from labs done in march when I had the first UTI....
So....I know Rebif can impact Liver function tests...can it also impact CBC and chemistry values? If I stop the Rebif how long before I would expect to see improvement in blood counts...? With these symptoms the differential includes things like Leukemia and Lymphoma....but if it is the Rebif then that leaves Tysabri as the next recommended medication and I am very cautious about starting that.
any insight advice would be welcome. have appt with neuro later this week...
to copaxone after I developed depression on Avonex. On
Copaxone until oct 2010 when I had a flare and MRI showed increase in number and size of lesions. Neuro and I decided to try Rebif, but since I was scheduled for same day surgery to relieve pressure off nerve in my neck, we decided to wait until after surgery and recovery to start new med.
Had the surgery mid-Nov and woke in recovery room paralyzed on right side. High dose steroids and excellent care at hospital and rehabilitation hospital got me back to point where I could bear weight on R leg and regained some use of R hand. Home by Christmas, albeit with a wheelchair as I still couldn't bear weight. Finally started to taper off high dose steroids in Feb....started Rebif in March, 1st on titration pack then 22mcg then 44mcg.
Had a couple UTI's over the summer, and another flare in May that was treated with IV steroids, and this time they did not seem to relieve the symptoms as they had in the past. Also noticed June/July that I was running low grade fevers, and since Jan had lost about 30 pounds.
Fast forward to last week saw Infectious Disease specialist who did lots of bloodwork and initial results that are back show WBC of 3.0, RBC 3.9 and Platelets 170. These are quite different from labs done in march when I had the first UTI....
So....I know Rebif can impact Liver function tests...can it also impact CBC and chemistry values? If I stop the Rebif how long before I would expect to see improvement in blood counts...? With these symptoms the differential includes things like Leukemia and Lymphoma....but if it is the Rebif then that leaves Tysabri as the next recommended medication and I am very cautious about starting that.
any insight advice would be welcome. have appt with neuro later this week...
Comment