← Return to Hypocellular bone marrow: What do I need to know?

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@loribmt

@nicolekapr Hi Nicole, I’m feeling great, thank you for asking. Another
BMBX coming up in July to celebrate my 2nd re-birth day post bone marrow transplant. Not anticipating any bad news!! ☺️

Being a new mom and facing all these health issues has to be incredibly stressful and distressing for you. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through all of this without any answers. But it does sound as though you have a good medical support system behind you trying to get to the bottom of the issues.

Looking at your latest CBC results it strikes me that there’s nothing really remarkable in these numbers or your BMBX. Which is good news but not answering your questions. Are you still waiting for genetic results?

Regarding your CBC:
RBC/Hg are only slightly elevated but not significantly. Usually fatigue is caused by these numbers being low.

ANC (absolute neutrophil count) should be between 1.55 and 8.00 The test isn’t indicating an actual count but says it’s >1.55 Greater than 1.55 to what degree? Is it higher than 7.00 or 8.00?

Hematocrit number is elevated but most often is a sign of dehydration. How’s your liquid intake? Have you also been checked for Magnesium, calcium, sodium and potassium levels?
However a high number is also present with PV which I know is suspected.

MCH~ Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin/ MCHC are testing to evaluate presence of anemia. The results on your CBC show these numbers are low~but just below the norm.

The rest of the numbers are within the normal ranges. It’s not uncommon to have some CBC values fluctuating a little high/low depending on many factors such as minor infections, menstruation, RA or other issues...

Have you by any chance had your blood oxygen level tested with an oximeter or blood test? Do you experience shortness of breath?

How about any muscle pain? I know you have RA and experience severe joint pain. But do your muscles ache like you’ve exercised too much?
I’m just wondering if there is something happening where your red blood cells aren’t able to transfer the oxygen in their hemoglobin across cellular membranes to the cells in your body. That could explain why you have a good hemoglobin and RBC but why you’re still fatigued.

A couple of other thoughts. Do you have a blood pressure cuff and also a finger Oximeter? It would be interesting to see what your BP is when you’re particularly fatigued and your oxygen level.
It might be beneficial for you to keep a little diary which could be helpful to your physician at your next appt. Is your consultation soon?

In the meantime eating a healthy diet of foods containing folate, iron, Vit B-12 and Vitamin C could be of value.
Dark green leafy veggies, green peas, kidney beans, peanuts and enriched grain products and dried fruits contain folate
Vitamin B-12 foods include meat, dairy products, fortified cereals.
And vitamin C rich foods like citrus fruits, peppers, broccoli, tomatoes lemons and strawberries help increase iron absorption.

This reads like a novel but... ☺️
Stay strong, dear. I know you’re powering through on a wing and a prayer right now. You’ve got this!! Lori.

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Replies to "@nicolekapr Hi Nicole, I’m feeling great, thank you for asking. Another BMBX coming up in July..."

@nicolekapr Now that I think about the food links, since you have RA you’ll also need to be eating foods which are good for preventing inflammation. They do overlap with some of the foods i listed above. However, here is a link to Mayo Clinic for their anti-inflammatory foods! Sorry I missed that!!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/how-to-use-food-to-help-your-body-fight-inflammation/art-20457586