platelet count

abmb

My husband has stage 3 colon cancer with a complete colonectomy. Receiving 5Fu chemo with oxciliplatin and levcovarin with pump afterward. His platelets and white blood cells have been low for most of the treatments. Out of 7 treatments he has had only 4 full treatments. I have a question and hoping someone could answer or has the same problem. He is on coumadin for blood thinning because he had blood clots in lungs and leg before surgery and his platelets are very low. White blood count isn't much better. Does anyone else have this problem and how can we get his platelets to rise? Any help would be greatly appreciated, I don't like to ask the doctor too many questions with my husband there, because I don't feel he needs to worry or see my concern. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Margaret

Buzzard

Margaret
I think a normal regimen would be for 1 shot of Neulasta or a series of 1-2-or 3 shots of Neupagen to build back up the blood counts especially the WBC which is basically your immune system. With his current use of Coumadin and his low counts it may be fear of free bleeding that has his Drs concern. Normally during my treatments which were oxal/leuc/ and 5fu bleeding or the lack of clotting (to stop bleeding) was a concern and I was to go to the emerg room if it did not stop...I never had that problem though. I was not on Coumadin but I think his Dr is concerned that maybe with the blood thinner that there may be a connection that he knows about be the reasoning for him not to boost hubbys counts by a shot of either......I would simply ask the Dr why not Neupagen or Neulasta. It may strictly be the cost is why the Dr is not opting for it...I most certainly would ask and get an answer. Remember, the Dr works for you......Good Luck to you, Clift

abmb

Buzzard said:

Margaret
I think a normal regimen would be for 1 shot of Neulasta or a series of 1-2-or 3 shots of Neupagen to build back up the blood counts especially the WBC which is basically your immune system. With his current use of Coumadin and his low counts it may be fear of free bleeding that has his Drs concern. Normally during my treatments which were oxal/leuc/ and 5fu bleeding or the lack of clotting (to stop bleeding) was a concern and I was to go to the emerg room if it did not stop...I never had that problem though. I was not on Coumadin but I think his Dr is concerned that maybe with the blood thinner that there may be a connection that he knows about be the reasoning for him not to boost hubbys counts by a shot of either......I would simply ask the Dr why not Neupagen or Neulasta. It may strictly be the cost is why the Dr is not opting for it...I most certainly would ask and get an answer. Remember, the Dr works for you......Good Luck to you, Clift

Thank you for your reply
My husband did receive 5 neuprogen shots last week, because his white blood count was low. It boosted his counts up to a 3.9 from a 2.7. I think I just worry too much, but I do need to know without concerning him. He has enough to worry about. Again, thank you for your reply. Margaret

Sundanceh

Platelets
Hi Margaret

During Oxy my platelets were permanently compromised and after 4 treatments, I started having trouble meeting the chemo schedule too.

They stretched further out until they were as long as 2 months, not 2 weeks. Due to toxicity and the fact that my body could not keep up with the demands, we discontinued the Oxy and I finished up on Avaastin and Xeloda.

But here is something that you can do - please ask your onc about it.

NPLATE is a shot that will boost platelet counts for chemo...it just came out a couple of days before we wrapped my treatment, but I signed up for it, to enable my doctor to be able to dispense it to other patients that would benefit from it.

RITUXAN is another drug, don't know if its a shot or IV, but it's supposed to boost counts as well.

I'd look into both and see how that can help you...my body and immune system was compromised by the Oxy and 9 months out of chemo and my platelets are just now reaching 95,000, so it's taken awhile...mine got into the 50's maybe lower, it was getting scary.

Buzzard has got the WBC stuff covered and he's right about those.

Anyway, ask about those and I hope that this helps.

-Craig

breezie

Platelet count
Hi Margaret,

You didn't say what your husband's counts were but I'm on the same treatment plan and have just completed #5. My WBC has remained at 3.2 (the range is 4-11) and my platelets are at 181 (range 160-400). Prior to surgery and chemo the counts were WBC 4.6 and platelets 345. My doctor is comfortable with these numbers and continues to give me treatments. One of the nurses told me that there was nothing I could do to build the counts. I have seen chemo patients receiving platelets and know that I will receive a Neulasta (sp?) shot should the WBC fall below an acceptable level. I don't know if coumadin has any impact on the platelets, I take an aspirin a day and wasn't told to discontinue. Is it possible for you to meet with the doctor while your husband is receiving treatment or have you questioned the nurses -- they are extremely knowledgeable and I'm sure would get the answers to your questions if they couldn't provide them. Take care of yourself.
Dorothy

abmb

Sundanceh said:

Platelets
Hi Margaret

During Oxy my platelets were permanently compromised and after 4 treatments, I started having trouble meeting the chemo schedule too.

They stretched further out until they were as long as 2 months, not 2 weeks. Due to toxicity and the fact that my body could not keep up with the demands, we discontinued the Oxy and I finished up on Avaastin and Xeloda.

But here is something that you can do - please ask your onc about it.

NPLATE is a shot that will boost platelet counts for chemo...it just came out a couple of days before we wrapped my treatment, but I signed up for it, to enable my doctor to be able to dispense it to other patients that would benefit from it.

RITUXAN is another drug, don't know if its a shot or IV, but it's supposed to boost counts as well.

I'd look into both and see how that can help you...my body and immune system was compromised by the Oxy and 9 months out of chemo and my platelets are just now reaching 95,000, so it's taken awhile...mine got into the 50's maybe lower, it was getting scary.

Buzzard has got the WBC stuff covered and he's right about those.

Anyway, ask about those and I hope that this helps.

-Craig

thank you
I want to thank everyone for all your help. I will try to see the nurses next time he goes and ask more questions. I really think my worse problem is that I am afraid that the cancer has spread. Don't know if this is possible while on Chemo or not. There was another patient yesterday at chemo and he was so negative. He didn't have a full colonectomy like my husband but he was so full of negativity I had to turn away. Craig, I pray that all goes well for you next month. I will keep everyone in my prayers. You are all so strong! Margaret

luv3jay

I had to get two blood
I had to get two blood transfusions so I could continue. And I think I'm in the market for yet another one. Good luck to him!

-Sheri

pam51255

Platelets
I was on the same chemo. I had 12 treatments, and finished in May. My platelets are at 97, with an enlarged Spleen. The Doc said that as long as the Spleen is enlarged, the platelets will not go up. They wanted them to be at 140 for my reversal surgery, but they now say they will do it anyway. I hope yours goes up as time goes on. They kept telling me it just takes time. (before they noticed the Spleen)