Sunday, April 26, 2009

My white blood cell count has been consistantly elevated for 3 months, highest 12.6 lowest 11.6. is this bad?

My white blood cell count has been consistantly slightly elevated for 3 months. Ranging from 12.6 - 11.6 more currently. I have not been sick at all. I am freaking myself out. I am going to a blood specialist on the 5th. I woke up yesterday with a slighlty swollen gland..right under my chin. Just freaking out a bit since my grandmother died with lymphoma. Anyone else have high white blood cell count that is considered normal for them?

My white blood cell count has been consistantly elevated for 3 months, highest 12.6 lowest 11.6. is this bad?
Its just a little over the normal, its probably just your normal. Everybody is different so don't freak out over it...........
Reply:I know what you are going through. Mine too has been elevated the last 6 mos. My Dr is sending me to Oncologist for blood check and possible Bone Marrow biopsy to check for Leukemia. This freaked me out too, cause I don't feel "sick" either. I do have a friend that works in Oncology and she said not to worry until I had something to worry about. That it is the correct protocol to go have it checked out further, and depending on the findings of the blood work at the blood Dr. they would decide weather to do the bone marrow biopsy or not. I know this isn't very informative, other than knowing that someone else understands your fears. But you are doing the right thing by getting this checked into further. I hope things work out for the best for both of us. Keep the faith.
Reply:That value is barely outside the normal range. If you're feeling healthy it's nothing to worry about. Keep in mind that everyone's body differs a little and what may be high for one person can be normal for someone else.

flowers funeral

A suspected cause of Jackie Kennedy Onassis was Hair dye, especially dark hair dye.?

Did this proove to be a myth about her death of non- hodkins lymphoma

A suspected cause of Jackie Kennedy Onassis was Hair dye, especially dark hair dye.?
Use of hair dyes is not proven to cause Non Hodgkins Lymphpma





There is an apparent increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma incidence in farming communities. Studies point to specific ingredients -- such as organochlorine, organophosphate and phenoxyacid compounds -- in herbicides and pesticides as being associated with lymphoma. However, the number of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases caused by such exposures has not been defined.





http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_pag...
Reply:I have also heard about hair dye and cancers/lymphoma. However, my mom has been dying her hair since she was 18 yrs. old and she's now 68 and still healthy! (Premature grey runs in our family and I've been coloring my hair for about 20 yrs. too). I would think Jackie O's cancer was somehow related to her heavy smoking habit, although she was considered a "secret smoker"--she hated people knowing she smoked and you'll hardly ever see a photograph of her with a cigarette!


Could my daughter be suffering from some emotional or chemical illness?

My 23 year old daughter is the youngest of three children. She is a lovely girl who graduated from a fine University one year ago. She took a job right after graduation with a large retail company and was hired into a management training program. Within a few months she started to suffer from anxiety attacks and her health started to fail. She developed all kinds of somatic complaints including some physical problems like severe acne which she had never had before. All physical exams and blood work came up negative. She would not take antidepressants but tried exercise and yoga. She quit the job and things improved but now I notice she is starting to suffer from anxiety and hypochondria again. She calls me on the phone every few days telling me she is sure she has skin cancer or lymphoma. Because I am a nurse I know her symptoms are not related. In the past we determined that 24 hours after any alcohol she would go through these fragile times. Any ideas or similar experiences?

Could my daughter be suffering from some emotional or chemical illness?
I too am a nurse and this sounds like your daughter feels overwhelmed by life. The 'safe' environment of school was manageable for her but now she feels she can't cope with the world of work, which is cut-throat, let's admit. Was she very sensitive as a child? She feels the hypochondria is an acceptable reason to bow out of a situation she finds intolerable. How much does she drink? She is using that to calm herself and then it opens the floodgates of all the emotions she is experiencing. I wouldn't suggest any anti-depressants for her because she reacts badly to chemicals--the alcohol. She has got to learn to deal with her fear and her sensitivity. This will be hard for her. The exercise and the yoga should prove to be helpful over time. She is going to have slow progress but it sounds like she is working to deal with her issues. Could I suggest a book for her to read that could help? 'Living With Joy' by Sanaya Roman. Also 'Personal Power Through Awareness' by the same author. Just support her and listen to her and of course love her. But you already do those things don't you? You are a good Mom.
Reply:Well, I have anxiety pretty bad too. They say it will help to exercise routinely. What I've learned is that if you have a strong mind and keep it focused your anxiety with decrease. I used to think that I had every disease out there especially since I'm a medical transcriptionist and I see and hear of symptoms daily - lol. I think she should be put on some type of antianxiety med and if she doesn't take that she will just have to be strong and maybe even try an exercise routine to get her out of this.
Reply:Well I'm only 17, so I don't know too much about these types of things. But, I think the answer to your question is yes. She could just be under tramendous stress. Maybe she has PTSD? Has she seen a counselor? Good luck with your daughter. I hope she feels better. And take care of yourself. :)
Reply:I think that your daughter needs to be seen by a mental health professional for an evaluation. Sounds to me that she is suffering these symptoms in silence. I think a psychiatrist or counselor could really help her out. She may have no choice but to be medicated. Usually the first onset of mental problems surfaces in the mid-20's. Which she should be. I think that you asked this question already knowing what needs to be done you just needed confirmation. You are correct to think a beautiful, intelligent girl shluld not be having panic or anxiety attacks or be a hypochondriac. Convince her that she needs to do this at least for your sake of mind.


Good luck.
Reply:if shes a hypochondriac then maybe she is just having a psychosomatic response to it , as in she thinks shes sick so she is. if it was stress from the job that was causing her to get sick and everything she may want to consider going into a low stress job , preferably something outdoors etc. , you may also recommend she eats properly and avoids any kind of drugs or alcohol. if that does happen to her again you may want to talk to her about going on the antidepressants because it could be a chemical imbalance causing the symptoms.
Reply:My 32 year old son suffers from severe OCD...and it manifests itself in severe anxiety and panic attacks, and hypochoncrial episodes...sometimes stress can bring it on, and maybe this job was just too much for her. The mind can be very tricky, as you know. The things they worry about are real to them. My poor son ended up in the hospital almost fifteen times last two years because of severe anxiety attacks. She might have OCD, which is the reason she has uncontrolled thoughts of impending doom. The good news is, she could take Luvox, the drug that saved my son's life...and now, when he has any kind of a twing of an anxiety attack, he takes half of the lowest dose of xanax, which calms him right down. He still fears illness all the time, and to a point, that can be a good thing,..but you are a nurse, and I am sure the medical field has followed you home also. Guilt plays a big part in OCD and the anxiety attacks. She needs to go to a really good physiciatrist who can diagnose her and give her the proper meds to stop suffering. It is hard sometimes for us to realize how much pain that they are truly in, but the mind can play horrible tricks on them...She can get help, and needs to realize that it is a chemical imbalance, and the Luvox puts back the seritonin that she is lacking that is causing her to imagine so many ailments. Every time my son when to the doctors, or to the emergency room, it was because he thought it was his heart, and he is as healthy as a horse. Poor thing, don't let her suffer, let her read this, and I hope she gets the help she needs and deserves. Email me if you so desire. Good luck, my prayers are with you

myspace codes

Could my daughter be suffering from some emotional or chemical illness?

My 23 year old daughter is the youngest of three children. She is a lovely girl who graduated from a fine University one year ago. She took a job right after graduation with a large retail company and was hired into a management training program. Within a few months she started to suffer from anxiety attacks and her health started to fail. She developed all kinds of somatic complaints including some physical problems like severe acne which she had never had before. All physical exams and blood work came up negative. She would not take antidepressants but tried exercise and yoga. She quit the job and things improved but now I notice she is starting to suffer from anxiety and hypochondria again. She calls me on the phone every few days telling me she is sure she has skin cancer or lymphoma. Because I am a nurse I know her symptoms are not related. In the past we determined that 24 hours after any alcohol she would go through these fragile times. Any ideas or similar experiences?

Could my daughter be suffering from some emotional or chemical illness?
I too am a nurse and this sounds like your daughter feels overwhelmed by life. The 'safe' environment of school was manageable for her but now she feels she can't cope with the world of work, which is cut-throat, let's admit. Was she very sensitive as a child? She feels the hypochondria is an acceptable reason to bow out of a situation she finds intolerable. How much does she drink? She is using that to calm herself and then it opens the floodgates of all the emotions she is experiencing. I wouldn't suggest any anti-depressants for her because she reacts badly to chemicals--the alcohol. She has got to learn to deal with her fear and her sensitivity. This will be hard for her. The exercise and the yoga should prove to be helpful over time. She is going to have slow progress but it sounds like she is working to deal with her issues. Could I suggest a book for her to read that could help? 'Living With Joy' by Sanaya Roman. Also 'Personal Power Through Awareness' by the same author. Just support her and listen to her and of course love her. But you already do those things don't you? You are a good Mom.
Reply:Well, I have anxiety pretty bad too. They say it will help to exercise routinely. What I've learned is that if you have a strong mind and keep it focused your anxiety with decrease. I used to think that I had every disease out there especially since I'm a medical transcriptionist and I see and hear of symptoms daily - lol. I think she should be put on some type of antianxiety med and if she doesn't take that she will just have to be strong and maybe even try an exercise routine to get her out of this.
Reply:Well I'm only 17, so I don't know too much about these types of things. But, I think the answer to your question is yes. She could just be under tramendous stress. Maybe she has PTSD? Has she seen a counselor? Good luck with your daughter. I hope she feels better. And take care of yourself. :)
Reply:I think that your daughter needs to be seen by a mental health professional for an evaluation. Sounds to me that she is suffering these symptoms in silence. I think a psychiatrist or counselor could really help her out. She may have no choice but to be medicated. Usually the first onset of mental problems surfaces in the mid-20's. Which she should be. I think that you asked this question already knowing what needs to be done you just needed confirmation. You are correct to think a beautiful, intelligent girl shluld not be having panic or anxiety attacks or be a hypochondriac. Convince her that she needs to do this at least for your sake of mind.


Good luck.
Reply:if shes a hypochondriac then maybe she is just having a psychosomatic response to it , as in she thinks shes sick so she is. if it was stress from the job that was causing her to get sick and everything she may want to consider going into a low stress job , preferably something outdoors etc. , you may also recommend she eats properly and avoids any kind of drugs or alcohol. if that does happen to her again you may want to talk to her about going on the antidepressants because it could be a chemical imbalance causing the symptoms.
Reply:My 32 year old son suffers from severe OCD...and it manifests itself in severe anxiety and panic attacks, and hypochoncrial episodes...sometimes stress can bring it on, and maybe this job was just too much for her. The mind can be very tricky, as you know. The things they worry about are real to them. My poor son ended up in the hospital almost fifteen times last two years because of severe anxiety attacks. She might have OCD, which is the reason she has uncontrolled thoughts of impending doom. The good news is, she could take Luvox, the drug that saved my son's life...and now, when he has any kind of a twing of an anxiety attack, he takes half of the lowest dose of xanax, which calms him right down. He still fears illness all the time, and to a point, that can be a good thing,..but you are a nurse, and I am sure the medical field has followed you home also. Guilt plays a big part in OCD and the anxiety attacks. She needs to go to a really good physiciatrist who can diagnose her and give her the proper meds to stop suffering. It is hard sometimes for us to realize how much pain that they are truly in, but the mind can play horrible tricks on them...She can get help, and needs to realize that it is a chemical imbalance, and the Luvox puts back the seritonin that she is lacking that is causing her to imagine so many ailments. Every time my son when to the doctors, or to the emergency room, it was because he thought it was his heart, and he is as healthy as a horse. Poor thing, don't let her suffer, let her read this, and I hope she gets the help she needs and deserves. Email me if you so desire. Good luck, my prayers are with you


Cancer and depression?

My husband has been in remission from 4th stage lymphoma for 2 years now. I noticed that he doens't seem as happy and recently he came to me and told me that he is depressed and doesn't know if he wants children anymore. I love him and think maybe it is because of the depression, or maybe he's worried about the cancer coming back (it has a high chance of reoccurance...) Any advice?? Has anyone had anything like this happen to them??

Cancer and depression?
My wife has stage 4 lymphoma. She has had it now for 4 years that we know of. I notice her being depressed every so often and what i do is take her out to dinner and joke around with her and she seems to snap right out of it, also she has others friends that she can call and just talk. I try to keep her busy so she hasn't got time to feel sorry for herself, but I am not demanding don't get me wrong, I would never tell her what to do she is a beautiful and loving wife of 18 years. Hope this may help you and your husband.
Reply:Thanks again everyone for all your wonderful answers! To answer a couple questions, we are pretty healthy and we haven't had his sperm count tested. His Dr suggested waiting %26amp; b/c he's young it could change. Also, we are young fortunately and have time on our hands with that. Thanks again! Report It

Reply:For me it seemed like the second year was harder emotionally than the first. I went to a therapist and am on an anti-depressant. I don't know of any other way to combat cancer depression....I was told it is a situational depression and that I most likely won't have to stay on the anti-depressants forever. Good luck, I know it's hard for everyone involved.
Reply:First of all, Congratulations to you both on his remission!!





With cancer we are so uncertain of the future, or if we even have one. To talk of the future is sometimes frightening as we don't know if we will be here or not.





Cancer and chemo also imbalances are hormones and could cause some confusion in many things as well as parenthood.





He should talk to his Dr. and have some help with depression.. drugs are not the answer, but perhaps it could help him out til he feels more confident.





It would be nice if he could enjoy his remission, with proper diet and care, he may never have to face recurrence.. lets hope so.
Reply:No i havent been in your situation before but i can understand how hard it must be for both of you.. How old are you both have you got time up your sleeve to wait or is the biological clock ticking???? There is another angle you have to consider. first, you may not conceive if your partner has had chemo which I'm sure you know and two... if you where thinking of adopting they might not allow it with his high chance recurrence of the cancer. I can understand that he is depressed and worried and i am sure it is constantly on both of your minds... I think you should sit down and tell him how you are feeling, even go to the doctor or specialist and get some advice. He needs to go into counselling to help him with his depression. Cancer not only strips your healthy but affects your emotions so drastically. all the best i hope you can work thru it, but you do have to consider your views in life too and if kids are important to you you have a right to voice your opinion . good luck.
Reply:I think it normally to be depress. I had breast cancer twice. I worry that cancer will return daily. Maybe it time your husband seeks professional help for his depression. It always good to talk to someone who is bias. Maybe he should talk to his primary doctor too. If you haven't done it already, it good to search the net or read some books on his type of cancer to get informed. I also believe in alternative therapy too. I know there's no magic pill to cure cancer but I believe nutrition and some herbal supplements can help keep the disease in remission.
Reply:He would obviosly be having follow up checks regularly with his oncologist.





I have had cancer treatment as have 2 of my sisters and a brother.





We have discussed this and we all get quite depressed whenever we have a checkup due.





We are positive people who like to think we are "better" and no longer cancer patients. The regular check-ups remind us that we are all just in remission and it could always come back.





Perhaps this is what is happenning with your husband?
Reply:I went through stage 4 Burkitts Lymphoma when i was 15(am now 17). The only time I was depressed was during my first couple months of chemo(out of 9 months). I had a psychologist come into my hospital room and taught me some techniques to calm down. It worked for me. She told to start out by just calming yourself down and take long, deep breaths. Think of a place where you have been and just imagine yourself there again and think of the great things in life. Try to think of all the sounds of that place and particular characteristics that please him. I had no problems being depressed after chemo because I just felt lucky enough to still be in remission. According to all my Oncology doctors, after your first year of remission, the chance of reoccurance drops considerably. I also believe kids may brighten his life up and help hm change his mind about them. Put him around kids more often and he may just want to have one. If that doesn't work, try a doctor and think about medication. Hope this helps


Hard Lump Behind My Ear?

Hi,


I have had a hard lump my ear for probably a little over a month. I finally went to a Dr. and she said that I should go to an ENT (ear nose and thoat dr). She said it could be an infected lymph node but she couldnt tell for sure which is why she suggested the ENT. but then she mentioned something about maybe getting a cat scan. then i looked online and got worried that i have lymphoma. Has anyone had this before? Any other things this could possibly be? If anyone has lymphoma can you let me know what it felt like when you found it?


Thank you so much.

Hard Lump Behind My Ear?
I have done many ultrasounds on lumps behind the ear or near the angle of the jaw. Usually they are just swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes do swell when you are fighting an infection. This can happen after something as simple as getting your teeth cleaned. Talk to your ENT, and follow that persons advice. But DO NOT freak out in the mean time!





"Lymph nodes, as you know, swell in response to infection. What's really happening is that white blood cells within the lymph node are dividing madly to make more antibody to fight the infection. Think of a toy factory gearing up production for the Christmas rush, and you'll have the correct concept. However, unlike the toy factory after Christmas, when the infection is over, this factory has a bit of difficulty changing gears for the slow season. Some lymph nodes "melt" away after the resolution of an infection, while others remain enlarged for weeks, months, even decades. As long as the node does not exhibit slow growth (which would raise my suspicions for some other sort of tumor), it is safe to watch it."





http://health.ivillage.com/ent/0,,6x3f,0...





AND:





"Lymph node enlargement is not limited to lymphoma at all. In fact, there are several more common reasons for lymph node enlargement than lymphoma.





The most common cause of enlarged lymph nodes is infection. As lymph nodes are a part of the immune system that fights infections in the body, the presence of infection often causes lymph nodes to increase in size. All kinds of infections can cause node enlargement. As infections are far more common than cancers, enlarged nodes in the neck or groin are more often a sign of infection than a cancer."





http://lymphoma.about.com/od/symptoms/f/...
Reply:my friend had a cyst near his face


Why do children with lymphoma have night sweats, when no fever is present?

It's part of the process of the disease, part of the body's response to the toxins caused by the cancer.


Any hope its not Lymphoma? Swollen inguinal lymph node- 3.5 cm. Hard smooth painless. No other symptoms.?

Swollen inguinal lymph node- 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm. Just one. Hard, Smooth, painless, immobile. no other symptoms. No known infections, injuries or other reason for at least 4 months. Are there any medical reasons for this besides lymphoma? Having biopsy in about a week. I could use some hope.

Any hope its not Lymphoma? Swollen inguinal lymph node- 3.5 cm. Hard smooth painless. No other symptoms.?
do you have night sweat? do you easily feel tired most of the time? do you have low fever? do you lose a lot of weight in a short period of time?





if you don't have any of those symptoms, it might not be lymphoma. glad that you're going to have biopsy soon. bispsy is the only way to tell for sure. don't worry. in the worse scenrio, there are a lot of treatment available for the lymphoma patients.





good luck for everything. hope you don't get bothered by this even though i know it's hard.
Reply:My sister had a golf ball size lump in her neck that the docs were fairly sure was lymphoma. I prayed really hard for it not to be. The biopsy and tests were negative and it left them scratching their heads. They monitored the lump and it gradually went away after about 2 to 4 weeks...so YES it is possible it can be nothing. PRAY!! (But still get the biopsy..)
Reply:There is a chance it could be Lymphoma, but there are many other things that cause lymph nodes to swell. Any itching? Night sweats? Weight loss? You're doing the right thing by having it biopsied. If it is something bad, there are great treatments out there. Try not to stress out. [I know, but try!]


Check this site for the best info:


http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls


Best wishes

how to grow pomegranate