Re: Post from Hob regarding dental care

September 15, 2002

In a message dated 9/14/02 8:12:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Hob writes:

<<

I have had some interesting blood tests recently. The white blood count is

all over the range of normal to below normal. One test showed it down to 2.7

which is low enough to stay away from a dentist per my new doc. But I told

her that I wanted to be sure it was not a mistake before I made decisions

based on 2.7 so she ordered another test. It came back at 4.6 - higher than

it has been in months. Of course, this new test could be the mistake so I

am having yet another this coming week.

In my case the decrease to 2.7 followed testing at 3.6 and 3.1 and 4.9

respectively. At 3.1 my doc decreased my Cytoxan and that is when it went

back up to 4.9. But the next test was 2.7. That was a big drop and that is

why I thought it might be a mistake. Other people on the list who are

taking an immuno suppressant like Cytoxan or Immuran that can affect the bone

marrow should always insist on a new test to confirm results when there is a

sudden change in any blood factor.

I broke a tooth a couple of days ago and am glad to know the WBC is high

enough to get a crown put in. If it was still at 2.7 I don't know what I

would do. The danger from infection leaving it unrepaired is probably as

high as danger from having a dentist work on it. We recently had a friend

who had an infected tooth that popped up while he was traveling in Europe.

By the time he got back home the infection had spread to his brain and he

ended up in hospital for several weeks. I hope that list members understand

how important it is to have good tooth care while taking immuno suppressants.

It's a good idea to have teeth cleaned every three months so that the need

for really deep cleaning is minimized.

>>

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