I’ve not been doing so well lately – extreme fatigue & weakness, increased pain, burning feet and lower legs, tons of skin issues.

I always have Purpura & Petechiae. But my lower legs have exploded with Purpura.

Petechiae are small, round spots caused by bleeding from broken capillaries (tiny blood vessels under the skin).

Purpura are larger patches caused by blood vessels that leak under your skin’s surface. 

I sent the photo below to my doc who had me go immediately to have bloodwork done.

CBC Results

• Low MCHC (Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) – red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin (an iron-rich protein). Hemoglobin is responsible for the red color in blood and for circulating oxygen around the body.
• Low WBC (White Blood Cell count, aka leukocytes) – body is not able to properly fight infection. See more: White Blood Cell Info
  • High eosinophils – Usually, blood doesn’t have a large number of eosinophils. The body may produce more of them in response to parasitic and fungal infections, allergic reactions, or other health problems.
  • High basophils – produced by bone marrow that helps the body fight parasitic infections, prevents blood clotting, and mediates allergic reactions. In some cases, a high basophil level can result from certain blood cancers, autoimmune disease, or other conditions.
  • Low neutrophils (absolute)
  • Low lymphs (absolute)

For now, we are suspecting a new med I started last week for PsA, psoriasis and eczema (Taltz) is causing the low WBC.

Taltz has a 13 day half life so it may take time to get out of my system.

I’ll be doing another cbc to see if there is a downward trend in the wbc counts.

My platelets look mostly normal, with the exception of the IIb/IIIa antibody which is positive. This is a glycoprotein that attacks platelets.

7/20 Update:

Follow up CBC shows all back in normal range (lower normal – but trending up). Which has confirmed for us that the reduced immune function and positive platelet antibody was caused by the recent med change.

I hate taking meds because I am prone to so many side effects.

Sometimes they’re needed and in this case, I felt it was important. But when the side effects out weigh the relief, it’s a clear indicator that it is not the right path.

For now, I’ll continue to work on building up my immune system to hopefully boost the effectiveness the upcoming treatment.

Listen to your body.

Trust your instinct.

Keep looking for solutions.