Low Platelets

hillby
hillby Member Posts: 31
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi everybody,

It's been a long while since my last post. It gets very busy around here, but I do love following your positive progress.

I have a question for you all..

My husband finsihed 12 rounds of FOLFOX with Avastin in August, then went on to have his colon resected. He Had 95% liver involvement and the tumors could not be counted in the beginning. He was put back on the 5FU and Avastin on a weekly regime after recooperating from surgery in September, but only had 3 weeks before his platelets began to drop. Any ideas on what may be causing this? I have read many posts where you all have been on treatment longer than he and were able to tolerate 5FU for months longer than he is. His liver is down to about 25% involvement - but it is not isolated enought to resect YET. His platelets are all over the board. Some weeks they show improvement, then drop back down without having had treatment. Does anyone have any experience with this? They are not so low that they feel he needs a transfusion - but they keep holding back on chemo. Of course I worry that this just gives the beast a chance to gain momentum. He is feeling well and looks great, you'd never know he had stage IV Colon CA if someone didn't tell you. You all are such an inspiration to so many.....and you give hope to me, my husband and my children.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hilary

Comments

  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #2
    Hi Hillary,
    Not so sure how much help I will be, but during my FOLFOX regimen I was put on a weekly shot for RBC production. I wish I could remember the name - but it starts with a "p" and there are advertisements on TV for it. I did not have any side effects from it and it did help me. Maybe you can ask your husband's doc about it. All the best to you and I hope you and your husband have a nice Holiday -- Maura
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #3
    Hi Hilary,

    It is so good to hear from you. I have thought of you and your beautiful family often and wondered how Bryon was doing. I am so happy to hear how well he is doing.

    I don't have advice on the platelet issue. I just think that his progress so far is awesome and a true tribute to your diligence in getting the best care possible for him.

    May you and your family have a blessed Christmas.

    I'm sending well wishes Byron's way and prayers for complete healing for him in 2006.

    Hugs,

    Kay
  • KFalvey
    KFalvey Member Posts: 118 Member
    #4
    Hi Hillary,
    I finished FOLFOX in Sept. During my treatments my platelets would occasionally drop quite a bit. The nurse told me there is nothing you can get to boost them but a transfusion of platelets and they don't do that unless it drops to almost nothing. Usually they just wait a week and your own body can replentish them naturally to get you into the safe zone. The P shot for the RBC is Procrit, but it has nothing to do with platelets and would not help. I hope your husband does well with his treatments and you have a Happy Holiday season.
    Kandy
  • taraHK
    taraHK Member Posts: 1,952 Member
    #5
    I can't help much on the issue of low platelet counts. While on FOLFOX, I had real problems with low white blood cell counts -- resulting in several delays. My oncologist told me that a delay of up to 3 weeks (or was it 2?) each cycle has been shown not to affect the efficacy of the treatment. Since you are facing similar delays, I hope this might give you some comfort -- it certainly did me. Best wishes, Tara
  • CAMaura
    CAMaura Member Posts: 719 Member
    #6
    KFalvey said:

    Hi Hillary,
    I finished FOLFOX in Sept. During my treatments my platelets would occasionally drop quite a bit. The nurse told me there is nothing you can get to boost them but a transfusion of platelets and they don't do that unless it drops to almost nothing. Usually they just wait a week and your own body can replentish them naturally to get you into the safe zone. The P shot for the RBC is Procrit, but it has nothing to do with platelets and would not help. I hope your husband does well with his treatments and you have a Happy Holiday season.
    Kandy

    Thanks, Kandy.....Procrit it is (or was). I didn't know about platelet versus RBC; my transfusions were packed RBC as well. All the best - Maura
  • Lisa Rose
    Lisa Rose Member Posts: 598 Member
    #7
    Hi Hilary,

    My father had a very low platelet count for many years. He took the drug Prednisone to keep his platelet count up.

    Lisa Rose
  • mwomack
    mwomack Member Posts: 78
    #8
    My husband got most of his FOLFOX treatments with his platelets in the 50's. They did postpone him 1 week and put him on steroids for 2 or 3 months so that he would not have to reduce the dosage during the final stretch. Onc never seemed overly concerned about them. Told him they would do surgery with platelets at 50.
  • foxy
    foxy Member Posts: 188 Member
    #9
    I may be barking up the wrong tree, but while I was on Chemo 12 years ago i was always told I had very abnormal red blood cells. I have just had blood work done and it still comes back that I have very large irregular sized red blood cells. I have been NED for 12 years even with this problem. I hope this gives you some hope. My CEA has just risen to 8 so now I am back on the dx regime. But just thought I would tell you that non usual blood tests do not automatically mean a problem. Virginia.

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