General Chat

Not good news - received call about an hour ago - friend is on oxygen non-stop and doctors say she has a weak heart and has had it for some time. Always been fit and healthy all the many years I have known her. Looks like it will be air ambulance. Am devastated and we were all looking forward to joining them end of next month for a break (that is not important) her health is and am so worried. Am hoping against hope that is similar to my husband 3 yrs ago who caught a virus in Spain which attacked the heart - but in the end there was no damage to his heart just the virus caused a heart chamber to go out of rthym. Ann

Thank you everyone for your help and advice - feel calmer this morning and keeping fingers crossed. Ann

Hi Ann, A low white count isn't usually asocciated with Anaemia, it may be with some of the rare types that you have mentioned, but that really is a bit extreme. It isn't uncommon to have a low White count as a reaction to a viral infection (bacterial infections are different) it would be normal, as mentioned, to have it repeated in 4-6 weeks. most would have resolved by then, if not it would be followed up. DON'T PANIC (yet) Suex

ann on my last diabetic blood test the results came back that i had a low white cell count so they checked it again after one month and found it was righting itself they have done more test and seem to be satisfied now hope it help you to worry less Howard

Thanks for the info and your help Mandy - feel bit calmer now also had email help on same lines as well. People are so kind and it is appreciated. Will keep fingers crossed and pray hard. Ann

Right Ann, a bit more ... Anaemia - disorders in which haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying pigment in red blood cells) is deficient or abnormal. ... anaemia occurs if this balance is upset, reducing the number of healthy cells ..... There are four main types of anaemia .... First type is due to a deficiency of one or more of the substances that are essential for the formation of healthy red blood cells. The second type results from inherited abnormalities of haemoglobin production. The third type is cause by excessively rapid destruction of red blood cells and is called haemolytic anaemia. Fourth type is aplastic anaemia. Mandy :)

God bless you Mandy - you have calmed me a bit with the piece about aplastic. Friend never been ill in 25 yrs I have known her - not like me I catch everything and anything. I feel she has become so run down her body is finding it difficult to fight back. Ann

Hi Mandy - yes I know spleen is surplus to requirements as is appendix. You appear to be on the same track that I had only the web then went on to mention aplastic coming from all of this. Just wish I could find out if a low white cell count is part of anaemia. She frightened me 4 weeks ago when I saw her and she has gone down hill since then. She is in hospital and in the right place - it just appears as if either her husband is not asking the right questions or not giving thier daug. the right answers and I was trying to find out for her whilst trying at the same time to keep her calm! Thank you for your help. Ann

Aplastic anaemia is a bit more serious but rare and again, treatable, most likely with blood transfusions and antibiotics. Mandy :)

Ann, it's a bit technical even for a home medical book. It says about haemolytic anaemia coming after an infection etc. However, it looks treatable, as it will get better once the underlying cause is treated and cured. Sometimes in more serious cases, it could require the removal of the spleen (please don't panic there, I had an enlarged spleen as a symptom of severe iron deficiency due to ME, and I'm ok). You can live perfectly well without a spleen. Is this any use? Mandy :)

Hang on Ann, I've got the massive BMA Home Medical Book. I'll go and have a look for you - but I will get a hernia cos it's a really heavy book lol! Mandy x

I'm nudging as quietly going up the pole here. Ann

Says after a virus infection (which friend has had for some 6 weeks) and haemolytic anaemia can develop a dangerous anaemia called aplastic. All I know is she developed bronchitis after a neglected viral infection onset some 6 weeks ago, has now been hospitalised - had 2 transfusions. Anyone in the medical professione enlighten me or ease my mind please? Ann

have a look on nhsdirect website itll tell u online what info u need

Low white cell count - could this be caused by severe anemia - or is this something nasty? Have googled but am confusing myself. Ann