low red blood cells-- what do you do?

neeliec
neeliec Member Posts: 106
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
How do you folks raise your Hb and Hct when your RBCs are low due to chemo? My dr told me to take iron--- well, you know how great THAT tastes, not to speak about the bad taste in my mouth that I already have constantly due to chemo-- add more bad taste and constiplation-- wee!!!! I am trying different iron rich foods-- what do you kind folks do?-- when it happens to you?

Comments

  • Glv49
    Glv49 Member Posts: 206 Member
    #2
    Whenever I took chemo and radiation, my count dropped, but they started to give me a procrit shot every two weeks, and it really helped alot. Also my dr, had me taking 4 iron pills every day. I did that for about 6 mos. I hope this helps, also sometimes they have to stop your chemo for a little while till your count comes up. Just keep a positive attitude, and pray, it really does change things! Good Luck.
    Glv49
  • BusterBrown
    BusterBrown Member Posts: 221 Member
    #3
    I was given arenesp initially to boost my rbc, and after about 3 shots, my body kicked into gear and now is producing an adequate amount. I do take 1 iron pill a day, I eat a lot of greens, brocolli, spinich. The iron pill I take is tastless, it's really no biggie...
    Buster
  • HowardJ
    HowardJ Member Posts: 474
    #4
    BusterBrown said:

    I was given arenesp initially to boost my rbc, and after about 3 shots, my body kicked into gear and now is producing an adequate amount. I do take 1 iron pill a day, I eat a lot of greens, brocolli, spinich. The iron pill I take is tastless, it's really no biggie...
    Buster

    Hey Buster, how was the surgery?
    Howard
  • jsabol
    jsabol Member Posts: 1,145 Member
    #5
    I would get a procrit injection whenever my Hct dropped. Did the trick for me. Judy
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #6
    Hi there,
    I have been on Procrit during most of my chemo. It has really helped keep my RBC count within the range for chemo, and I haven't noticed any side effects from the injections. My doc spoke of the possibility of muscle pain, I haven't noticed any. I hope this helps!!
    Best of luck.
    Cheers,
    Maura

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