Anxiety

I have had an anxiety problem since I was 121/2 years old - I am now 46.  My problems centers around extreme fear of having a fatal disease.  This past July,  I noticed some bruising and small purple spots from time to time on my legs.  I panicked and convinced myself it was leukemia.  My blood tests showed a white blood count of 9.9; all othe values were normal.  This was further evidence to me I had leukemia and there has not been a day that has gone by since July that I am not obsessing over this.  I had a repeat blood test and the count was 8.6, but this time the platelet count had dropped (all other values were within normal ranges).  I panicked because of the decreased platelet count and went for a third blood test.  This time the white blood count was 9.9 again and the platelet count had risen also.  Now I started to panic again because of the rise in the white blood count. I normally have a white blood count in the 7's.  

My question is twofold.  1) Can chronic emotional stress cause the white blood count to elevate. If so, how does this occur.

2) Can these white blood counts be chronic leukemia that is just starting to brew?

Thank you for your response.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I can answer the first question but not the second. There have been some studies that show that emotional stress effects the white cell count, and that is the way it effects your general immunity.  Whether your count is indicative of chronic leukemia is a question for your doctor.

[Paule]

Aren't you a tad too old for leukemia?

Bruising has nothing to do with white cells.  Cronic (chronic) fevers would be indicative of inflammation.

its wasted worry.

[Paule]

"There have been some studies that show that emotional stress effects the white cell count, and that is the way it effects your general immunity. Whether your count is indicative of chronic leukemia is a question for your doctor."

And causes grey hair. Article in todays Science Times (NY TIMES) about true changes in the genes due to chronic stress..

Very interesting.

[maddiemaddie]

I've got extreme anxiety and something that my therapist diagnosed as Tactile Sensitivity. I can get very angry when my mother or father will call me down to dinner when I'm doing my homework or finishing up a phone call. I also get extremely ticked off when I wear itchy socks or an uncomfortable bra and someone agitates me in the slightest way. I'm not sure if I should take another kind of medicine, seeing as I already take 15 mg of lexapro a day. Any suggestions?
Maddie

[[e-mail]]

As the mother of two teenage children, one of which suffers from tactile sensitivity, I would say that being called to dinner or stopping a phone call has nothing to do with your ts.  It has to do with not wanting to do what your told.  p.s.  both of my kids take lexapro too.