High WBC Count of 22000

[gflong2005]

I have a prior history of C-Diff and numerous ER visits with vomiting, diarhea, rectal bleeding (not dark), abdominal pain and WBC of 22,000.  I have some confusion as to whether the elevated WBC count can be from anything other than an infection, or virus.  Doctors have told me that vomiting and pain can elevate WBC.  Is that true, and if so, to 22,000?  My primary care physician told me that vomiting and pain would not drive a WBC up to 22,000.  I have these episodes often and the c-diff tests have come back negative on several occasions even though the WBC was still in the 20,000 range.  I have also tested positive for the C-Diff toxin on 3 separate occasions. I have completed courses of Vanco and Flagyl.  I also have a bowel motility disorder probably secondary to VATER Associated birth defects (spine and imperforate anus).  I know this is off topic for this forum and apologize in advance.  However, I do have asthma, COPD, and some lung scarring.  I am desperate for an answer b/c I haven't gotten good info from the docs (there are tons of them) and I was very impressed by the responses I have seen in this forum.  My theory is that I am suffering tertiary effects of bacterial overgrowth due to a motility disorder which results from the imperforate anus and pull thru at birth.

[Jenn12546]

Something is going on with you that much is clear. Yes, vomiting can drive up your WBC's but in the 20,000's? I don't know. Sounds more like infection or inflammation. Have you had other imaging studies on your bowels? If not, it would be a great idea...a CT scan would show loads of information that might otherwise be missed on an xray, such as an abscess which would explain the high WBC's. I am not a doc, just throwing ideas out there. A coloscopy wouldn't be a bad idea either as it sounds like your bleeding is from the lower GI system. If it were black, then it would be from a higher source such as the stomach. I agree with the above that you should be seeing a specialist, a GI specialist who can run all of the appropriate tests on you.
I wish you luck and hope you find answers. This all sounds so frustrating.
Jenn

[Victoireh]

Ok. I don't think this is related to your lungs, otherwise I"m certain you would have mentioned many issues relating to them, such as repeat lung infections or out of control asthma. However any bleeding from the bowels is not normal, and definately a sign of inflammation going on, which could explain your high WBC numbers. Have you had a colonoscopy done? As you do mention that the blood is not dark, which means the bleeding is occurring in the lower portion of your bowels. Bowel diseases such as Chron's or colitis have a lot of intestinal inflammation present. You really should be seeing a gastrologist for this as most of your symptoms seem to point that way. How have your blood levels been for iron, folic acid and vitamin B12? These are commonly depleted due to malabsorption with various intestinal disorders.

I don't know what else to add, as I"m not a doctor. But don't give up, as any symptoms that affect ones quality of life should be dealt with.