White blood count way down

My WBC and RBC and other numbers were quite a bit below normal on chemo and radiation.

Sadly, allot of us are or have been in the same boat.  I persoanlly had the Neupogen shots, mostly in the tummy or in the fleshy arm. Chemo was cancelled on days my count was too low. 

Also had low red and platletes. Had to have one blood transfusion for the low red. 

Good luck getting insurance to cover. 

Tru

airborne72 said:

Interesting

I am scheduled to begin FOLFOX6 next Wednesday for at least 6 sessions.  My highest WBC level has only been 4.9 since June.  Am I going in to this with a marginal level of WBC or are we using two different units of measurement?

I agree: interesting. Mine was 4.22 the week before surgery, 4.49 the day of surgery (probably before it), then 7.24 and 7.69 the day after surgery. Were the higher levels in response to the surgery? Probably. I'd guess that they're going to take blood again at the post-op meeting this Tuesday.

My husband's WBCs dropped after his first and second treatments but we were told that the specific white cells they look at are the  neutrophils. Neutophils need to be at least 1.0 for chemo, according to the protocol that we are following. I don't know what foods we can eat to increase our white count (not sure there really is any) but sources of potassium are easy to find - bananas, spinach, leafy greens, potatoes. You're smart to wear the mask when you're counts are low, and watch out for other people, especially toddlers - they maybe adorable but they are truly walking germ carriers.   

My wife has been on daily, oral chemo for over 7 years.  The first year we struggled with her RBC, Hgb, WBC and platelet counts dropping.  Her first doctor almost stopped her treatment a few months in.  We were able to find alternative adjuncts to beef up the 5FU action without oxy- or iri-.  Although her immunochemo formulation is not as rough on the body, there were things that might apply to others here, even if it is not enough to fully restore blood counts.   

1.  radical removal of folic acid sources - obsolete, poor quality multivitamins (most common), enriched flour, commercial bread and grains. Folic acid is toxic in any quantity with 5FU, more is only worse.  Need supplements that use leucovorin, L5MTHF, or best, natural folates instead.

2.  liver for natural folate and other nutrients; an integrative dr might have a plant based recommendation

3.  high quality PSK clones (a hot water extract of Coriolus versicolor, differences matter)

4.  dosage adjustments,it has to stay active and yet not burn the bone marrow;  mostly we adust leucovorin

5. bone marrow soup

6. remove sources of inflammation (e.g. dental)

7. other supplements are possible.  

Last week her WBC was 5.8, RBC 4.5 and platelets almost 150, although I suspect she may have slipped some on her 5FU content.   I assure you it is hard won, a little thing here, a little improvement there.  There are oncology oriented integrative doctors that (any of) you could seek out and discuss any recommendations/experiences here, too.

Better living through (natural) chemistries and mind over medicine.

Bunny822 said:

I just completed 3rd Round of

I just completed 3rd Round of Folfox. Also now with low WBC and RBC. Just received 3 subcutaneous injections of Neupogen to boost WBC. Will know if effective on 11/20/17. I'll keep you posted. No real issues with the shots, was told can cause bone/joint pain. 

---

 

The same here after 2 rounds had to get the injection also...had lots of muscle and body ache..I found out that when I  go to disconnect before i get the shot i would take  a 600 mg ibuprofen and it helped me with the body ache

ReeRee2 said:

Bone marrow soup

i just read an article on that. Thinking I need to read it again. I do not eat beef anymore after my resection. My juicer was just delivered and I am taking CBD oil.

My potassium is always low. Today my WBC was .8 so I know the Neulasta is working. I will now be getting Neulasta with each treatmen.

if anyone has any good recipes to share on the soup please post. I am also looking for good juicing recipes.

I remember my mom used to always make soup from bones. , It just taste better too. She would get the bones from the butcher or she would save the rib bones and make broth from it. Then add veggies. I wish I had learned from her cooking skills. Now that she's gone and I miss all her cookings. 

CathC said:

Bone broth

Hi there, my Mam has cancer we have used a lot of  supplements, juices, fermented food and bone broth to assist her recovery combined with chemo.  The bone broth recipe is easy and you can use it as is or use it as a stock for anything. I constantly have jars of it in the fridge. You can use with chicken or beef bones (with marrow). I use a slow cooker/ crockpot and all organic with filtered water. You literally pop it all in the pot for 24 hours or 48 hours for the beef bones.... chicken/beef bones with an onion, carrot, garlic, celery stick, turmeric, ginger, cider vinegar (3 tablespoons), tamari ( or soy sauce), 3 bay leaves, thyme, and anything else you have; spinach, leeks, cumin, paprika.... fill up with water and simmer for 24/48 hours!!!

we juice wheatgrass everyday and a combination of green veg (kale, spinach, celery, cucumber) with apple, beetroot, ginger , 1/2 lemon (peeled) and mint leaves(if we can get it) we mix it up depending on what we have and what she likes!! We find that the supplement graviola has helped keeping her neutrophils up!Best of luck with it all xx

My favourite herb! Well, one of them. 

I have an Areogarden, and have mint year round. It is also a very hardy plant, and will grow anywhere. 

I love mint!

Tru