Blood counts

Sandis · April 2003

I just read your message that your red cell count came back with procrit. I've had three rounds of procrit and still have a red cell count of about 29. My white cell count is down to .9 (its supposed to be at least 4). The doctors are saying, "lets just wait and see if it bounces back". I'm wondering if I should be doing something about my diet or if I should be concerned about these low counts. I've just finished my second AC treatment. I have two more AC treatments and 4 Taxol treatments. Any thoughts? Thanks

mamou · April 2003

I'm not sure if it was the procrit or the rich seafood we eat, you see we eat fresh fish at least 3-4 times a week. The night before my last treatment we had fried shark and soft shell crab for dinner, the next day my red count was up to 43. I kon't know what it is that is helping, but I'll keep eating my fish.

Julie

alfritz · April 2003

I'm a survivor and an M.D. - the counts do come back on their own. you may need neupogen for your white count and you should be on supplemental iron for procrit to work best. Otherwise diet won't be effective - just eat anything that tastes good since so little does! Be sure to take your temp 3 times a day, to pick up any infections early since your wbc is so low. Mine went down to .5 at one point, but neupogen brought it back up. I'll say a prayer - Donna

geral · April 2003

alfritz said:
I'm a survivor and an M.D. - the counts do come back on their own. you may need neupogen for your white count and you should be on supplemental iron for procrit to work best. Otherwise diet won't be effective - just eat anything that tastes good since so little does! Be sure to take your temp 3 times a day, to pick up any infections early since your wbc is so low. Mine went down to .5 at one point, but neupogen brought it back up. I'll say a prayer - Donna

I had Neupogen shots during 2 of my 8 cycles of chemo. They brought my WBC up, so none of my chemo treatments were delayed. After a couple of times, I was able to do the injections myself. That was better than using up more energy to go to the dr.'s office everytime.

Good luck with everything.

Take care,
Geral

banker · April 2003

Hi, my red count was usually good, the white count went down, took Neupogen Shots daily for up to 8 days after chemo treatment, that worked, never missed a treatment.With procrit you should take iron supplement for it to work better, don't know how much so check with your doctor. Hope this helps. emmi

ryley · April 2003

I'm in my 7th round of chemo and starting with the 2nd round I've always had a Neulastin (a form of Neupogen) injection to bring my white counts up. It did the trick, but the side effects (for me anyway) were worse than the chemo. Skin, muscle and bone pain for 3-4 days following the injection. However, I never contracted an infection and my chemo was never delayed due to blood count problems. I had received Procrit for a few rounds also, but the effects of that were only temporary, then the fatigue would come back.

jamjar62 · April 2003

Hi there...just a few thoughts on procrit and neupogen. There is a timed released form of procrit called Aranesp and a timed released form of neupogen called Neulasta. Both are VERY expensive - over $4000 per injection. I got the injections on the day of my chemo which kept me from having to go back in between treatments. My doctor didn't offer either injection until I asked so be bold and tell your doc you want it. This is your life and you have to take hold of your treatment plan! My white count got down to .8 and I got sick with a sinus infection that hung on forever. I went in today for my second round of Taxotere and my white count was up to 9400! Hang on through your next 2 AC because Taxotere is a walk in the park after AC! My hair is even coming back in - kind of fuzzy like down on a little chick! Karen

Sandis · April 2003

Thanks for all your good ideas and encouragement. I feel much better. I've started taking iron pills and I'll ask about Neupogen if the count doesn't come up.

nlee · April 2003

ryley said:
I'm in my 7th round of chemo and starting with the 2nd round I've always had a Neulastin (a form of Neupogen) injection to bring my white counts up. It did the trick, but the side effects (for me anyway) were worse than the chemo. Skin, muscle and bone pain for 3-4 days following the injection. However, I never contracted an infection and my chemo was never delayed due to blood count problems. I had received Procrit for a few rounds also, but the effects of that were only temporary, then the fatigue would come back.

NLee I just had my first shot of Neulasta because of low WBC(2). Two days later I feel like I have the flu but better than the alternative as they say. I was shocked when I heard the cost!

Blood counts

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