Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Are The Symptoms Of MDS?
Question: Do I really have borderline MDS? My white blood count is normal. A bit close to the border. Red blood is always lingering around 27-35. I was born anemic. But function well till I started drinking heavily... My blood changed for the worse... I got severe pins and needles that I get bruisings from scratching hard on skin on top of thighs...legs.
Then I stopped drinking entirely for four years to this day. And the pins and needles went away... But my red blood struggles with very high MVC of 112. And dr strongly thinks I have MDS even after bone narrow biopsy showed inconclusive for MDS. But just recently... I started to itch... Burning sensation, sometime pin and needle so sharp that it jolt me up. Areas: On sides of the torso, back of my neck... Feet, And groin. And butt. I noticed if I rubbed my skin...the itching shows up automatically. It used to be no rash... But now, bumps (slight) show up...and disappear. Scratching aggravated it... I had to rub it till it stops... Usually for a few min. Few times, I get severe attacks... Neck, sides, all around my back at the same time.... So terrifying. Do u think it's just some form of allergy or do I have a serious health problem with MDS bec of very high MCV of 112 ?
Then I stopped drinking entirely for four years to this day. And the pins and needles went away... But my red blood struggles with very high MVC of 112. And dr strongly thinks I have MDS even after bone narrow biopsy showed inconclusive for MDS. But just recently... I started to itch... Burning sensation, sometime pin and needle so sharp that it jolt me up. Areas: On sides of the torso, back of my neck... Feet, And groin. And butt. I noticed if I rubbed my skin...the itching shows up automatically. It used to be no rash... But now, bumps (slight) show up...and disappear. Scratching aggravated it... I had to rub it till it stops... Usually for a few min. Few times, I get severe attacks... Neck, sides, all around my back at the same time.... So terrifying. Do u think it's just some form of allergy or do I have a serious health problem with MDS bec of very high MCV of 112 ?
Brief Answer:
Normal WBC count is against MDS.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Normal WBC count is against MDS. Additionally,you may need peripheral blood examination.
You may also need regular follow up as you had borderline MDS.
You may need medicines for raised MCV.You can take folic acid tablet supplementation.One tablet to be taken daily.Take lot of green leafy vegetables.
Persistence itching may be due to many reasons like infection,systemic problem,allergy,inflammation etc.
It need proper clinical evaluation by a dermatologist.You may need specific medicines for it.Empirically you may take anti-histaminics.
You may also need evaluation for vitamin B12 estimation as it may cause such symptoms.
I suggest for complete investigations.It includes routine hemogram,random blood sugar,liver and renal function test,thyroid profile,urine RE/ME.
Treatment depend upon findings.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Normal WBC count is against MDS.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Normal WBC count is against MDS. Additionally,you may need peripheral blood examination.
You may also need regular follow up as you had borderline MDS.
You may need medicines for raised MCV.You can take folic acid tablet supplementation.One tablet to be taken daily.Take lot of green leafy vegetables.
Persistence itching may be due to many reasons like infection,systemic problem,allergy,inflammation etc.
It need proper clinical evaluation by a dermatologist.You may need specific medicines for it.Empirically you may take anti-histaminics.
You may also need evaluation for vitamin B12 estimation as it may cause such symptoms.
I suggest for complete investigations.It includes routine hemogram,random blood sugar,liver and renal function test,thyroid profile,urine RE/ME.
Treatment depend upon findings.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.... I mentioned that B12 is normal. Had test where I have to collect urine into a container several times. The dr said the % of B12 in the urine is normal. However... I'll list all the abnormality from my recent blood work here.
Wbc. 8.0. It's now very normal
RBC. 2.8. Low
Hgb. 9.4. Low
HCT. 30.3. Low
MCV. 112. High
MCH. 33.3. High
RDW. 16.3. High
Everything else is in the normal range. This is a basic blood work.. Does this show any certain kind of disease I should have it checked ?
As for high MCV.
1) How much of frolic acid?
2) Should it be taken with food? On empty stomach?
3) What other Vit needed to support folic acid for better assimilation?
Also was surprised how turmeric supplement helped cut down my itching dramatically. Why is that? It looks like I have I nerve inflammation after all... Why?
Your suggestion as to what kind of tests I need is appreciated. I'll gave them a try. . But want to share with u more abt my blood abnormality.
Wbc. 8.0. It's now very normal
RBC. 2.8. Low
Hgb. 9.4. Low
HCT. 30.3. Low
MCV. 112. High
MCH. 33.3. High
RDW. 16.3. High
Everything else is in the normal range. This is a basic blood work.. Does this show any certain kind of disease I should have it checked ?
As for high MCV.
1) How much of frolic acid?
2) Should it be taken with food? On empty stomach?
3) What other Vit needed to support folic acid for better assimilation?
Also was surprised how turmeric supplement helped cut down my itching dramatically. Why is that? It looks like I have I nerve inflammation after all... Why?
Your suggestion as to what kind of tests I need is appreciated. I'll gave them a try. . But want to share with u more abt my blood abnormality.
Brief Answer:
Besides folic acid tablet,you may need iron and zinc supplementation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Besides folic acid tablet,you may need iron and zinc supplementation for anemia.You can take one tablet daily along with lemon water.Vitamin C in lemon helps in better absorption of iron.
I also suggest to take iron rich foods like dates,jaggery etc.
Itching need proper evaluation.Investigations we have discussed earlier.Ultrasound of abdomen can be done additionally.
Turmeric has medicinal and soothing effects.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Besides folic acid tablet,you may need iron and zinc supplementation.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Besides folic acid tablet,you may need iron and zinc supplementation for anemia.You can take one tablet daily along with lemon water.Vitamin C in lemon helps in better absorption of iron.
I also suggest to take iron rich foods like dates,jaggery etc.
Itching need proper evaluation.Investigations we have discussed earlier.Ultrasound of abdomen can be done additionally.
Turmeric has medicinal and soothing effects.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Sorry for not mentioning iron. Iron is normal ..very normal. I do not have iron deficiency. Dr thought b12... But no.... It's normal.
Brief Answer:
You need proper evaluation by a hematologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for replying late
Hemoglobin production is complex mechanism.Fault at any step may cause anemia.Though iron deficiency is the commonest cause,there are many other reasons to investigate like G6-PD,pyruvate kinase enzyme deficiency.
You need proper evaluation by a hematologist.
You may need peripheral blood smear examination,free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) estimation,reticulocyte count,coombs' test etc.It is important to rule out all causes.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
You need proper evaluation by a hematologist.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for replying late
Hemoglobin production is complex mechanism.Fault at any step may cause anemia.Though iron deficiency is the commonest cause,there are many other reasons to investigate like G6-PD,pyruvate kinase enzyme deficiency.
You need proper evaluation by a hematologist.
You may need peripheral blood smear examination,free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP) estimation,reticulocyte count,coombs' test etc.It is important to rule out all causes.
Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.
Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Note: Do you have more questions on diagnosis or treatment of blood disorders? Ask An Expert/ Specialist Now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
