The Hunt Begins for a New Doc

The rheumatologist’s office called today with the results from my CBC and, as expected… elevated eosinophils.  The actual value this time was 9%, which isn’t too terribly bad, but still about three times the normal amount.  I can’t remember exactly when I first learned they were elevated, but I know for certain that by June of 2005 they were so this past June was at least two years we know of for sure.

The nurse said my doctor and his PA also felt my symptoms were not caused by the eosinophilia, but rather Fibromyalgia.  Hmmm… perhaps if they had taken the time to even look at the information I brought in they may understand why I feel my symptoms are caused by the eosinophils?  Did I mention that the PA didn’t even take my notes I wasted so much ink printing off?  Really, none of it matters anyway, I guess, because the recommendation was to find a hematologist who treats eosinophilia.  I guess they either forgot that I asked for help with that or else didn’t have any better luck than I did. 

There are two “nationally acredited” (is that the term?) cancer treatment centers here in my area, one at Baptist Medical Center and one at Forsyth Medical Center, and I’ve seen a hematologist from each.  The one at Forsyth told me it was caused by my smoking and the one at Baptist told me it was caused by Fibromyalgia.  However, I emailed a doctor who’s address I found on an article about eosinophilia and he said they were both mistaken… smoking has only been an aggrivating factor (not the cause) in patients with asthma (which I don’t have) and Fibromyalia doesn’t cause eosinophilia, but eosinophilia has been known to cause FM-like symptoms.  So why not just go to that doc?  Well, because he is in the UK!  Seems like the UK has a whole different take on a lot of illnesses, huh?  FM, CFS, ME-CFS, Eosinophilia… just off the top of my head.

Right now, I’m just not mentally “up for” seeking out another hematologist, but it is certainly on my to-do list.  First I will have to figure out how in the heck I’m supposed to go about it.  Call everyone I can find in the tri-state area and ask what experience they have with Eosinophilia?  I think knowing that my count hasn’t ever been in the “danger zone” makes me less inclined to bust butt on this.  While 15% seems to be the “let’s get seriously worried” number, there are people who’s counts are much higher… like 25% or even 45%.  Of course, most of those people are usually in the blast crisis phase of eosinophilic leukemia or have a severe fungal or parasite infection.

So back to the trenches I go!