Low white blood count

missrenee said:

Yes, my white count tanked a few times
During chemo and even after for a while. I got a Neulasta shot after every chemo and was always able to get the next treatment. However, for some reason, after the 6th and final round of TAC my onc. decided to forgo the Neulasta shot. Ten days later, I ended up in the hospital for 5 days with some sort of systemic infection. My white count was 800 (3,000-4,000 is norm). I was on IV Vancomycin and some other antibiotic. The count came up and home I went.

Glad they're watching your counts. Try to stay away from crowded areas, and my doc have me refraining from eating any raw fruits or veggies.

Take good care,
Hugs, Renee

CypressCynthia said:

Whatever you do, don't eat
Whatever you do, don't eat bean sprouts! No kidding, I had a nasty bacterial diarrhea this spring after eating them. The CDC site states that bean sprouts are the "usual suspect" in such infections. I am riding in car right now, but I can attach a link later.

VickiSam said:

been there, done that!
What my Oncologist recommended was staying home -- house arrest, and eating
as many foods high in iron.

prime rib (my favorite)
raisins
cream of wheat
almonds
fish
spinach

*per WEB MD .....
Red meat
Egg yolks
Dark, leafy greens (spinach, collards)
Dried fruit (prunes, raisins)
Iron-enriched cereals and grains (check the labels)
Mollusks (oysters, clams, scallops)
Turkey or chicken giblets
Beans, lentils, chick peas and soybeans
Liver
Artichokes


just to name a few.


Vicki Sam

CypressCynthia said:

Hope this helps!
So much great advice here. A few more tips come to mind for me:

White blood cells are so important in fighting infection. There are many different types of WBC's and most are important in taking care of infections. Some are even phagocytic (just a fancy, dancy term that means cell eating) and can literally eat up bacteria just like a pac man!

One of my biggest tips on avoiding getting sick while you have a low WBC is to carry a hand sanitizer. I never, ever shake a person's hands without discreetly using my hand sanitizer asap after. As a nurse practitioner, I can assure you that most infections come from hands. I also use a hand sanitizer after exposure to a germy place (bathrooms). Another good idea is to wipe germy surfaces (such as your phones) with a chlorox wipe from time to time.

Along that same thought, avoid touching your eyes and nose as many germs enter that way. Also, let your family and friends know that you are immunocompromised and, if they even just suspect they are coming down with anything, tell them to please stay away.

Do stay up to date on all immunizations, as soon as your onc says it is ok to get them. You are eligible for the pneumonia vaccine due to the cancer. You may also be eligible for the shingles vaccine. But check coverage of both. My carrier paid for the pneumonia vaccine but won't cover the shingles vaccine until I'm 60 (which sucks since I have now had shingles twice since age 55)

More about food:

"Food selection and preparation
•Do not eat raw or undercooked eggs, or foods that may contain raw egg. (some hollandaise sauce, Caesar or other salad dressings and mayonnaise.)
•Do not eat raw or undercooked poultry, meat, or seafood or unpasteurized dairy products. (Well-cooked means no pink in the middle or with the internal temperature higher than 165F.)
•Produce should be thoroughly washed before being eaten. (See Travel section if leaving the U.S.A)
•Take care to avoid cross contamination of food. For example, uncooked meats should not come into contact with other foods. Hands, cutting boards, counters, and knives and other utensils should be washed thoroughly after contact with uncooked foods.
•Do not share food, eating or drinking utensils with others if you have low white blood cell count. A dishwasher is not necessary as long as soap, friction, a hot rinse and a clean towel are used for utensils. Avoid using "communal" dips with vegetables, crackers etc. where others redip items that have been in their mouths or do not wash their hands." http://www.chemocare.com/managing/low_blood_counts.asp

And one last link below about those pesky bean sprouts that I so loved written by Lt. Cmdr. Rajal Mody, MD, MPH, U.S. Public Health Service. Even though you don't eat them, I am just warning others, because I would have avoided them if I had known that they were so inherently dangerous.

Hold the Raw Sprouts, Please

http://www.foodsafety.gov/blog/raw_sprouts.html

And one final note (I promise...lol), even though I was exposed to all kinds of awful crap when my WBC was <1, for some unknown reason, I never got sick and never had to stop working. I am praying the same for you :-)</p>

DebbyM said:

I hope that with all of the
I hope that with all of the suggestions you got that your count will go higher.


Hugs, Debby