Neupogen to treat low white blood cell count

MJG1
MJG1 Member Posts: 137 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

Has any one had Neutropena/LOW blood cell count late in treatment...Have 6 rads to go...1 chemo and hubby is in hospital with extremely low white cell count!  They're not giving him anything except IV Antibiotice.  I want them to use Nupogen or something else to rebuild the white cell count, but the hospital staff quite frankly is lacking as Drs go.

Comments

  • T3rri
    T3rri Member Posts: 23
    edited November 2016 #2
    Hang in there

    Be your husbands advocate. Even though he is in the hospital, are his primary cancer docs involved in his Treatment? Also you may want to check with the social worker, patient rights advocate and upper administrative staff of the hospital if you have already brought the issues to the attention of the nurses and current physician. A complaint can be made with the Joint Commission https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx if you strongly feel no one is listening and you are having problems getting the right medication. That said, the doctors may be correct in not prescribing the medication you are requesting, but they need to give a detailed explanation to support their treatment plan. Get second and third opinions if need be. Good luck! 

  • MJG1
    MJG1 Member Posts: 137 Member
    #3
    T3rri said:

    Hang in there

    Be your husbands advocate. Even though he is in the hospital, are his primary cancer docs involved in his Treatment? Also you may want to check with the social worker, patient rights advocate and upper administrative staff of the hospital if you have already brought the issues to the attention of the nurses and current physician. A complaint can be made with the Joint Commission https://www.jointcommission.org/report_a_complaint.aspx if you strongly feel no one is listening and you are having problems getting the right medication. That said, the doctors may be correct in not prescribing the medication you are requesting, but they need to give a detailed explanation to support their treatment plan. Get second and third opinions if need be. Good luck! 

    Got the Neupogen this evening!!

    I was advised by others to call my oncologist's emergency number.  I did and got results and he got the neupogen this evening..I'm still FURIOUS and have a letter composed to hand deliver to the head of siteman and the board.  This has been an awful experience.  Thanks fo ryour response and ideas!!

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