Leukemia Symptoms?

I have major back problems which produce very severe lower back pain. But I just have been diagnosed with anemia. A blood test showed low hematocrit and hemoglobin as well as elevated sed rates and elevated crp. I do also have psoriatic arthritis, so that has to be considered as a potential for the eleveated rates.

However, I am also tired a lot, itchy, have a much smaller appetite and have lost a little weight. I have chills all the time and in South Florida, I go out with 3 shirts, a hoodie and another jacket. Also, I have started to get nosebleeds, although they have been minor. And I get these weid feelings of a total body ache where my body is in pain and it feels like it comes from deep within me.

My Primary Doctor wanted me to have a colonoscopy to find out where the blood loss is coming from. I have no symptoms of colon cancer or ulcers which leaves the bone marrow as the most likely problem causing blood loss.

Does this sound in any way like leukemia? What else does it sound like?

Thanks!
Alan

I do not know the symptons of leukemia but has your Doctor ruled out multiple myeloma? If not, I would ask him about it. Do a google search and you can fine out a lot about this disease. It is a disease of your plasma cells. Good luck.  

Thanks for the reply. Going through the blood test tonight, the iron was ok.

Besides the elevated sed and crp, the low hematocrit and hemoglobin, the platelet count was 181 (thousand)-normal-but on the low side as the normal range at this lab is 140-400 (thousand).

Thyroid was also normal.

I'm not worried or consumed by anxiety. It is more uncomfortable at this point.

I have serious back problems with 3 levels of disc problems with 2 levels of spinal stenosis and 2 levels of facet hypertrophy. Currently i wear a 100 mcg Fentanyl Patch and take 30 mg Roxicodone up to  per day for breakthrough pain. So, pain I already have. The tiredness is kicking me in the butt along with a slightly tight breathing and the joint pain and itching.

Lupus and most auto immunes were ruled out because of a negatove ANA test and anyone who has ever watched an episode of House can tell you that 95% of those with Lupus will test positive for ANA.

I have an appointment with a hemotologist Monday, so hopefully I will have some more info and some tests lined up after tomorrow.

Thanks again for the reply.

perhaps.  Using a CBC to diagnose leukemia can be difficult because the WBC, Hb and PLT can be high, normal or low. A blood smear should reveal elevated blasts and of course a BMB is ultimately needed for diagnosis.  What was your WBC?

get the colonoscopy! my husband suffered for 6 months with vague symptoms.., extreme tiredness, a shower wore him out, aches and pains, strange swelling joints, loss of appetite and more..., finally we were sent to a rheumetologost(spelling?). He says you are anemic.., have a colonoscopy..., he had almost a totally blocked sigmoid colon, his system was poisoning itself. He is now in his final fight from stage 4 colon cancer. Go now the procedure is not bad, I had it done a few months back. If nothing else it is a tremendous relief to know that you are ok... but don't wait schedule now......

 

On 12/2/2007 wolfwinners wrote:

I have major back problems which produce very severe lower back pain. But I just have been diagnosed with anemia. A blood test showed low hematocrit and hemoglobin as well as elevated sed rates and elevated crp. I do also have psoriatic arthritis, so that has to be considered as a potential for the eleveated rates.

However, I am also tired a lot, itchy, have a much smaller appetite and have lost a little weight. I have chills all the time and in South Florida, I go out with 3 shirts, a hoodie and another jacket. Also, I have started to get nosebleeds, although they have been minor. And I get these weid feelings of a total body ache where my body is in pain and it feels like it comes from deep within me.

My Primary Doctor wanted me to have a colonoscopy to find out where the blood loss is coming from. I have no symptoms of colon cancer or ulcers which leaves the bone marrow as the most likely problem causing blood loss.

Does this sound in any way like leukemia? What else does it sound like?

Thanks!
Alan

Hi Alan: Whatever you do, do not try to diagnose yourself.  It can make you go crazy trying to figure out what the problem is.  You said your doctor wants you to have a colonoscopy.  I do not know your age, but they recommend a colonoscopy by the age of 50.

I think you should have complete blood work by your doctor, and then go from there.  Let me just share with you how they found my Leukemia.  I have what they call CML,which is chronic myelogenous leukemia.  I was very tired all the time, but I also had a very hectic schedule with my job, therefore,I did not think too much about it.  I had routine blood work, and my White Count was elevated.  They repeated the blood work 2 more times over the next few months.  Each time my count was going higher, and my doctor did not waste anytime.  I immediately had a Bone Marrow Biopsy, and that gave them all the information they needed to start treating me.  I will not go into too much more detail, until you give me a little more info.  I also have a very bad back, and I am anemic.  The anemia did not start till I started my Gleevec for the Leukemia.  Sounds like you may have  a lot of different things going on.  Be tested before you think its life threatening.  I will look for a response from you.  Take it easy until you find out what the problem is.

                                                           Suzzie 59