Low White Blood Cell Count...How can I tell

[Janeto75]

I have been diagnosed with CML since Novmber of 2007.  I am still a little confused about some things.  and i guess when my WBC's got back to 4.5 I was excited and thought I was all good- In the clear huh... Well in less than a month my WBC's dropped back down to 1.8 and they say that I am good as long as I don't go past 1.5.  Ok fine.  I don't go  back for another month and I already feel like **** and have had pneumonia 2x in the past month.  So what are some of the signs, if my blood cells drop too low. and what kind of danger am i in if that happens.

[erbs656]

if you have leukemia is your white blood cell count low and could you have rib tenderness?

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Are you currently on any medication like imatinib?  The neutropenia can be due to your current medication.  You can ask your hematologist for G-CSF injection if you have persistent neutropenia.  Patients with CML are immunocompromised and can easily acquire infections.  Neutropenia also puts a patient in an immunocompromised state.
For now, it is very important to prevent acquiring any infection.  You should avoid crowded places and persons with ongoing infection.
Good luck.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Are you currently on any medication like imatinib?  The neutropenia can be due to your current medication.  You can ask your hematologist for G-CSF injection if you have persistent neutropenia.  Patients with CML are immunocompromised and can easily acquire infections.  Neutropenia also puts a patient in an immunocompromised state.
For now, it is very important to prevent acquiring any infection.  You should avoid crowded places and persons with ongoing infection.
Good luck.