How low can they go??????

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keystone
keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
My husband went for his 5th chemo session yesterday and was told that he could not have it. His WBC count was 400! This would have been the first treatment after pulling the Oxaliplatin from his regime. He took chemo before his surgery and it never dropped below 3100. Does anyone here know whether over exertion could have caused this drop? He did do much more this past week than before. Is there anything we can do other than the injection (not sure of name) to help raise these counts? Thanks Steph

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  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #2
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    everyones response is unique and highly variable
    dear steph,

    i hope your husband is feeling better.

    i tried diet, juicing, supplements and chinese herbal medicine while doing 12 rounds of folfox. i cannot say what helped maybe all, or none. but i went through chemo with good counts except at the end when some liver enzymes went high.

    generally i felt fine through chemo with energy to care for my kids.

    just google chinese merbal medicine and read anticancer. i never needed the shot you refer to, but others here have needed it, it works but with sideffects.

    goodluck.

    hugs,
    pete
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #3
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    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    everyones response is unique and highly variable
    dear steph,

    i hope your husband is feeling better.

    i tried diet, juicing, supplements and chinese herbal medicine while doing 12 rounds of folfox. i cannot say what helped maybe all, or none. but i went through chemo with good counts except at the end when some liver enzymes went high.

    generally i felt fine through chemo with energy to care for my kids.

    just google chinese merbal medicine and read anticancer. i never needed the shot you refer to, but others here have needed it, it works but with sideffects.

    goodluck.

    hugs,
    pete

    Thanks Pete! I've discussed
    Thanks Pete! I've discussed the juicing ect with Phil and he is willing to trY after he finishes with chemo. I read a recent post of yours that shared a link speaking of this treatment. I wish we knew if this was affective for decreasing recurrence as well as prevention. Reguardless its healthy and would not hurt any of us lol. I probably will have more success in getting my husband to comply to the juicing before anything else. He has never taken medication or suppliments so I'll try the juicing first. What in your opinion is the best cancer fighting ingredients to use? What type of juicer do you recommend thats not huge $$$$'s?

    As far as his WBC counts I'm hoping he just over exerted himself this week. I found a couple of articles that supported this theory but as you well know you can find a website to support just about anything relating to cancer or health as far as that goes!
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    #4
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    keystone said:

    Thanks Pete! I've discussed
    Thanks Pete! I've discussed the juicing ect with Phil and he is willing to trY after he finishes with chemo. I read a recent post of yours that shared a link speaking of this treatment. I wish we knew if this was affective for decreasing recurrence as well as prevention. Reguardless its healthy and would not hurt any of us lol. I probably will have more success in getting my husband to comply to the juicing before anything else. He has never taken medication or suppliments so I'll try the juicing first. What in your opinion is the best cancer fighting ingredients to use? What type of juicer do you recommend thats not huge $$$$'s?

    As far as his WBC counts I'm hoping he just over exerted himself this week. I found a couple of articles that supported this theory but as you well know you can find a website to support just about anything relating to cancer or health as far as that goes!

    500 or 600 still safe 400 is too low to have chemo !
    I got the same problem last infusion ,500, stoped chemo And just a week later I was on 1800, quite normal but be careful if he gets some fever go fast to ER, with this levels is easy to get any infection! I got one !
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #5
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    keystone said:

    Thanks Pete! I've discussed
    Thanks Pete! I've discussed the juicing ect with Phil and he is willing to trY after he finishes with chemo. I read a recent post of yours that shared a link speaking of this treatment. I wish we knew if this was affective for decreasing recurrence as well as prevention. Reguardless its healthy and would not hurt any of us lol. I probably will have more success in getting my husband to comply to the juicing before anything else. He has never taken medication or suppliments so I'll try the juicing first. What in your opinion is the best cancer fighting ingredients to use? What type of juicer do you recommend thats not huge $$$$'s?

    As far as his WBC counts I'm hoping he just over exerted himself this week. I found a couple of articles that supported this theory but as you well know you can find a website to support just about anything relating to cancer or health as far as that goes!

    i use champion 2000 jiucer cost me 500 dollars
    its a pretty good juicer.
    goodluck, checkout tanstaafl answer below, i am going to ask him where he gets the extracts, that looks like it maybe helpful.

    i always make extra juice, so my wife gets the benefit as well.
    i just purchased a big bag of organic juicing carrots yum.
    i also add some beetroot, tumeric, broccoli, ginger, lemon, orange and mandarin.

    everyday its different but celery, carrot, beetroots are constant.
    i jiuce the green beetroot leaves as well.

    often i add spinach, garlic anything green.

    hope this helps,

    hugs,
    pete
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #6
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    Thanks for the tips
    Thanks for the tips definitely going to try the juicing and if the WBC count does not increase greatly will check on the suppliment.
  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #7
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    Shot
    The shot is the only thing that helped me. Diet, exercise, nothing helped. It all depends on the chemo you are taking too. Some chemo doesn't drop the WBC as much as others. It is frustrating when it keeps going down though. I've been there so well aware of the disappointment. Hope he gets back to normal soon, even if it is with the shot.

    Kim
  • JimInPDX
    JimInPDX Member Posts: 11
    #8
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    Neulasta did an amazing job for me
    I had the same situation for the 4th chemo - dropping lower but not dangerously low. They allowed me to proceed that session but then started getting a Neulasta shot after every chemo session (~24 after disconnecting pump). It did a GREAT job boosting my WBC count and fortunately I never had any side effects.
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    #9
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    Neulasta
    I had to have neulasta.

    Oxy kills your ability to maintain your white blood count, not over work.
    I had my shot at the same time I had my 46 hour pump taken off.
    Chemo on Wed thru Fri and neulasta on Fri.
    Sick Sat and Sun, not from neulasta though.
    Don't miss those days, last year, at all.

    Good Luck and stay strong.
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    #10
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    immunochemotherapy
    My wife uses Coriolus Versicolor extract, a supplement similar to Japan's Polysaccharide K (PSK) containing about 42% beta glucans, for stimulation of WBC, RBC and platelets. She's on a continuous low dose of a 5FU derivative that's not the same toxicity load as cyclic high dose treatments and cumulative erosion of immune function, so I simply don't know how PSK clones might apply to WBC already under 1. Her WBC has mostly stayed above 7, dipping lower 6.5, 6, 5.5, when she doesn't take full doses, 3 to 3.6 grams per day of extract. PSK has been a little harsh on an empty stomach at doses over 1.2 gram per dose (2-3x/per day). I'm thinking to use some beta more glucans, inefficiently mixed in her juice or her health shakes, instead of just on an empty stomach, because we've gotten more effect that way too, at high doses along with other mushroom extracts.

    We're also getting some of the Biothera beta glucan pills that contain ~80% beta glucans for her own trial use. I've seen others use Neupogen and Neulasta between cyclic treatments for more dramatic increases, with some complaints about pain and cost.
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #11
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    marqimark said:

    Neulasta
    I had to have neulasta.

    Oxy kills your ability to maintain your white blood count, not over work.
    I had my shot at the same time I had my 46 hour pump taken off.
    Chemo on Wed thru Fri and neulasta on Fri.
    Sick Sat and Sun, not from neulasta though.
    Don't miss those days, last year, at all.

    Good Luck and stay strong.

    They took Phil off of the
    They took Phil off of the Oxaliplatin due to allergic reaction (constant restriction of the throat). Hopefully it is that drug and the WBC count will raise quickly!! Thanks and I love the story about your co-workers giving up vacation time for you!!!COOL!!
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #12
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    pete43lost_at_sea said:

    i use champion 2000 jiucer cost me 500 dollars
    its a pretty good juicer.
    goodluck, checkout tanstaafl answer below, i am going to ask him where he gets the extracts, that looks like it maybe helpful.

    i always make extra juice, so my wife gets the benefit as well.
    i just purchased a big bag of organic juicing carrots yum.
    i also add some beetroot, tumeric, broccoli, ginger, lemon, orange and mandarin.

    everyday its different but celery, carrot, beetroots are constant.
    i jiuce the green beetroot leaves as well.

    often i add spinach, garlic anything green.

    hope this helps,

    hugs,
    pete

    Pete I copied and pasted the
    Pete I copied and pasted the ingredients to my husband. You would just have to know him hes a character. He texted me and said "beetroots I'm out". Of course I told him he would NEVER know just what I put in those drinks! Thanks so much for all of your help. Oh and I just saw you just got out of the hospital, are you doing ok?
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #13
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    pepebcn said:

    500 or 600 still safe 400 is too low to have chemo !
    I got the same problem last infusion ,500, stoped chemo And just a week later I was on 1800, quite normal but be careful if he gets some fever go fast to ER, with this levels is easy to get any infection! I got one !

    Thanks Pepe hopefully his
    Thanks Pepe hopefully his will do the same!!!
  • marqimark
    marqimark Member Posts: 242 Member
    #14
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    keystone said:

    They took Phil off of the
    They took Phil off of the Oxaliplatin due to allergic reaction (constant restriction of the throat). Hopefully it is that drug and the WBC count will raise quickly!! Thanks and I love the story about your co-workers giving up vacation time for you!!!COOL!!

    Co Workers
    My co-workers are great

    They really showed what a generous group they really are.

    Stay strong!!
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #15
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    keystone said:

    Thanks Pete! I've discussed
    Thanks Pete! I've discussed the juicing ect with Phil and he is willing to trY after he finishes with chemo. I read a recent post of yours that shared a link speaking of this treatment. I wish we knew if this was affective for decreasing recurrence as well as prevention. Reguardless its healthy and would not hurt any of us lol. I probably will have more success in getting my husband to comply to the juicing before anything else. He has never taken medication or suppliments so I'll try the juicing first. What in your opinion is the best cancer fighting ingredients to use? What type of juicer do you recommend thats not huge $$$$'s?

    As far as his WBC counts I'm hoping he just over exerted himself this week. I found a couple of articles that supported this theory but as you well know you can find a website to support just about anything relating to cancer or health as far as that goes!

    LiveStrong
    Has this page for boosting his white blood cell count.
    http://www.livestrong.com/article/29611-boost-white-blood-cell-count/
    All my best for him.
    Winter Marie
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #16
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    many
    Many folk have a chemo session postponed due to low blood counts (including me, several times). You've already received some great advice. I am currently taking Neupogen (similar to Neulasta but it's several daily shots -- I do 4 days -- as opposed to the one stronger Neulasta shot). Works for me. I hope a week's rest plus some of the other suggestions do the trick....All the best to you both

    Tara
  • keystone
    keystone Member Posts: 134 Member
    #17
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    taraHK said:

    many
    Many folk have a chemo session postponed due to low blood counts (including me, several times). You've already received some great advice. I am currently taking Neupogen (similar to Neulasta but it's several daily shots -- I do 4 days -- as opposed to the one stronger Neulasta shot). Works for me. I hope a week's rest plus some of the other suggestions do the trick....All the best to you both

    Tara

    Thank you Tara its just
    Thank you Tara its just comforting to know hes not the odd guy out lol!
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #18
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    keystone said:

    Pete I copied and pasted the
    Pete I copied and pasted the ingredients to my husband. You would just have to know him hes a character. He texted me and said "beetroots I'm out". Of course I told him he would NEVER know just what I put in those drinks! Thanks so much for all of your help. Oh and I just saw you just got out of the hospital, are you doing ok?

    dear keystone
    just search beetroot juice and hypertension, its awesome how a juice can save your life.
    the first day i got crc, my research scientist phd friend told me stories of beetroot alone killing crc. i kid you not, when he about the staging with ltmphs he said do both and i have. it started me on the path least travelled, the extras are worth it.

    i got out of hospital 3 months ago but the posts.

    hugs,
    pete

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