Prednisone and WBC count

[Sef0912]

I have read that the use of corticosteriods can cause an increase in your WBC count, however, I am tapering off of prednisone and my WBC count has increased over the past four weeks. Is this something y'all think I should be concerned about? (Yes, I have called my GI but he is on holiday vacation until Monday, as my WBC has been increasing and I have started feeling horrible with pain and nausea since tapering down to 10 mg of prednisone earlier this week.)

 

[*yvonne*]

My WBC has been rising over the past few weeks. I've been tapering prednisolone and started Humira 6 weeks ago. I found out today I have a urine infection. My count went from normal to 14 to 16 then to 17 and it's now down at 14. Hoping once my antibiotics kick in it'll drop again. I think mine was linked to my immune system being lowered rather than tapering but I might be wrong. What did your GI say?

 

[Sef0912]

Well, I have the flu this week, so no point in testing my levels again this week. Am on antibiotics and we will see once I am over this mess.

 

[UnXmas]

My white blood count was always high after I'd been on prednisone for a while. My doctors weren't worried, except by the possibility that it could mask other problems - e.g. if I had an infection, they might not realise as they'd put my high white count down to prednisone. But I don't know how high mine was, I assume not that high since they didn't show much concern. I know it was flagged up on one of my pre-op assessments and they still went ahead with the surgery.