WBC issue again

Annette 11
Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
in Breast Cancer #1
I went to my onc. app. and he told me my WBC is down again (2.5). I am now 7 months post chemo and otherwise feeling great. 3 months ago it went up to 3.4 and now down to 2.5...Well so much for those oysters I was eating to raise it. Has this happened to any other sisters after chemo was over. I was so dissappointed when I heard this as I worked so hard to bring this count up. I know this is probably normal but I just want to be reassured. Does anyone know What can I do to raise the wbc? Chemo is so harsh on our bodies it takes alot to bring it back. Please add your input so I can relax about this. I know so many sisters are hurting and this is minor compared to what many are going through but I just thought I would throw this out to see if there is any advise I can get.
Thank you
Annette

Comments

  • ms.sunshine
    ms.sunshine Member Posts: 707 Member
    #2
    WBC is very important
    Ask your dr about giving you a shot that can boost the white blood cells. Neulasta is the shot my dr gave me.
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #3
    Annette,
    even after 3 years from taking Chemo, I still had a "lower" WBC. The nurse said that was common after Chemo so I just pretty much eat my meals and take vitamins. I drink those little Dannon Immunity drinks with my vitamins. Do talk to your Onc but again, I think many folks experience it.

    I'll be checking my blood next month so I'll see where I'm at.

    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #4
    ms.sunshine said:

    WBC is very important
    Ask your dr about giving you a shot that can boost the white blood cells. Neulasta is the shot my dr gave me.

    I had neulasta shots after
    I had neulasta shots after each chemo treatment. I'll ask if I can get it 7 months later.
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #5
    sea60 said:

    Annette,
    even after 3 years from taking Chemo, I still had a "lower" WBC. The nurse said that was common after Chemo so I just pretty much eat my meals and take vitamins. I drink those little Dannon Immunity drinks with my vitamins. Do talk to your Onc but again, I think many folks experience it.

    I'll be checking my blood next month so I'll see where I'm at.

    Hugs,

    Sylvia

    Sylvia
    He told me to take vit. B's so that's what I just started doing that tonight. I will try those Dannon Immunity drinks. Have never noticed them in the store. Thanks for info. Let me know how your blood work comes back. Do you remember what the number was on your last WBC?
    Hugs,
    Annette
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #6
    Annette 11 said:

    Sylvia
    He told me to take vit. B's so that's what I just started doing that tonight. I will try those Dannon Immunity drinks. Have never noticed them in the store. Thanks for info. Let me know how your blood work comes back. Do you remember what the number was on your last WBC?
    Hugs,
    Annette

    Like many other Sisters in PINK .. I suffered
    with WBC issues during and after chemo so much so, that I was often on 'house lock down' unable to leave my home for weeks at a time.

    I used antibacterial wipes (still do)ream of w when entering a store, or using a shopping cart -- Lysol spray .. and keep my contact with the outside world limited .. I would go out into the public shopping etc 1 day, stay home 2 days. In fact, I recently started to go back to the gym .. my Taxol/carbo ended 12/2009, herceptin 8/2010. Do I get sick, yes .. and I stay sick for 2 weeks ..

    What has your Oncologist and his staff recommended ? Neulasta shots help, but our bodies need to generate cells, auto-immune anti bodies without the help of a shot .. just, my humble opinion.

    Foods with loads of iron ...that help me increase my WBC counts
    red meats
    raisins
    cream of wheat
    almonds
    fish

    Strength, Courage and Hope

    Vicki Sam
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #7
    Annette
    I saw my surgeon today and my WBC was 3.0 which is low but he said common after chemo. I finished chemo Dec 7, 2010 so I'm about the same as you. I see MO on Thursday and I'm sure blood work. I'll ask him about it. I try to eat many of the foods VickiSam suggested.
    Char
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #8
    cahjah75 said:

    Annette
    I saw my surgeon today and my WBC was 3.0 which is low but he said common after chemo. I finished chemo Dec 7, 2010 so I'm about the same as you. I see MO on Thursday and I'm sure blood work. I'll ask him about it. I try to eat many of the foods VickiSam suggested.
    Char

    Char
    During chemo treatment WBC stayed right on target, only to drop to 2.5 a couple of months post chemo so I ate all the right foods and the next reading it went up to 3.4 Yeah! I was so happy but NOW, still of course eating the foods that Vickisam has stated plus others I researched on (3 months later) WBC is back down to 2.4. Go figure! I ate all the right foods. I am so disappointed. Let me know what your MO has to say on thursday.
    Thanks.
    Annette
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #9
    I didn't take chemo Annette,
    I didn't take chemo Annette, but, wanted to say that I hope your WBC improves for you.


    Hugs, Diane
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #10
    DianeBC said:

    I didn't take chemo Annette,
    I didn't take chemo Annette, but, wanted to say that I hope your WBC improves for you.


    Hugs, Diane

    Thanks
    Thanks Diane, I hope it does too. I do find it annoying after trying so hard. I hope we all improve.
    Hugs,
    Annette
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #11
    Do you know what your WBC
    Do you know what your WBC was before chemo? I ask because my normal is on the low side and, even off chemo, is rarely over 4. That's normal for me, so I no longer worry about it. BTW, the first physician to note my low WBC was the surgeon who took my appendix out and I was 17--I'm now 58.
  • Annette 11
    Annette 11 Member Posts: 380
    #12
    CypressCynthia said:

    Do you know what your WBC
    Do you know what your WBC was before chemo? I ask because my normal is on the low side and, even off chemo, is rarely over 4. That's normal for me, so I no longer worry about it. BTW, the first physician to note my low WBC was the surgeon who took my appendix out and I was 17--I'm now 58.

    Cynthia
    Before Chemo it would range from 4.1 often to occasionally 5.0. I have all blood work from years gone by. I have always ask for copies to save in my file.
    Thanks
    Annette
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #13
    Annette 11 said:

    Char
    During chemo treatment WBC stayed right on target, only to drop to 2.5 a couple of months post chemo so I ate all the right foods and the next reading it went up to 3.4 Yeah! I was so happy but NOW, still of course eating the foods that Vickisam has stated plus others I researched on (3 months later) WBC is back down to 2.4. Go figure! I ate all the right foods. I am so disappointed. Let me know what your MO has to say on thursday.
    Thanks.
    Annette

    Annette
    he said my blood work was ok. Didn't seem concerned at all.
    Char

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