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Question: have rheumatoid arthritis and low red cell count?
| jasmine_g
- Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:39 am |
I am 28 and was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia 3 years ago and r.
a. 2 and half years ago. I went into remission when I was pregnant with my son.
9 months after my son was born my Arthritis has flared up badly.
To control the pain I am on prednisolene 5 mg once a day,
celebrex 200mg twice a day,
Norgesics and plaquenil.
My rheumatologist rang me a few days ago to say he was quite concerned as my red cell count had really dropped whereas normally it is in within the normal levels.
He aked me to start taking iron tablets which I am doing now.
What could have caused this drop and what does it mean?
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| Dr. Chan Lowe
- Wed May 02, 2007 7:07 pm |
 Iron deficiency is a common cause of Anemia (low red blood cell amount). However, many of the medicines for RA (in your case the norgesic and plaquenil) can cause severe drops in red blood cell counts.
I would strongly recommend you talk with your rheumatologist about the possibility of a drug effect on your blood.
Best wishes.
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