Tips on increasing White Blood Count?

KFen725
KFen725 Member Posts: 108 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Mom's chemo treatment was delayed a week because her White Blood Counts were low for the first time (I believe this would have been treatment #6). They told her that her number was 1000, but I'm not sure what that really means.

Anyway, just wondering if any of you have any tips on anything that we can do at home to boost her white blood cell count. Are there any foods that help with this? Is light exercise a good thing for this at all?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Comments

  • Patteee
    Patteee Member Posts: 945
    #2
    the only thing I know are
    the only thing I know are the WBC boosting shots. I got a series of them, think there were 5- and it helped. Never had an issue with it after that.
  • dianetavegia
    dianetavegia Member Posts: 1,942 Member
    #3
    Licorice!
    I only had low WBC's one time and my onc reduced my Oxi a bit, but I read that licorice helps build wbc's. Search 'licorice white blood cells' and loads of good info pops up.

    Hope mom is doing better soon!

    Diane
  • Shayenne
    Shayenne Member Posts: 2,342
    #4
    dianetavegia said:

    Licorice!
    I only had low WBC's one time and my onc reduced my Oxi a bit, but I read that licorice helps build wbc's. Search 'licorice white blood cells' and loads of good info pops up.

    Hope mom is doing better soon!

    Diane

    WBC.....
    When my WBC's went down once, the onc had me get this Neupogen shot to boost the cells, it starts making wnc's from thr sternum, hip and bone marrow are, which can cause abit of pain, but they said to take Tylenol or something for it, but that did help me boost my system.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna
  • KFen725
    KFen725 Member Posts: 108 Member
    #5
    Shayenne said:

    WBC.....
    When my WBC's went down once, the onc had me get this Neupogen shot to boost the cells, it starts making wnc's from thr sternum, hip and bone marrow are, which can cause abit of pain, but they said to take Tylenol or something for it, but that did help me boost my system.

    Hugsss!
    ~Donna

    Thanks!
    Thanks to you three. I went out & bought some licorice, Diane :) Can't hurt anything, I suppose! I'll keep praying that her counts go up by themselves so no painful shots are necessary. Ouch!

    Thanks again!
  • scouty
    scouty Member Posts: 1,965 Member
    #6
    Immune System builders
    WBCs are the key to your immune system so anything that builds the immune system helps WBCs. Google immune system builders and you will see a few list of foods she can eat to help her. I took zinc and astragulas to help mine so look for some supplements too (make sure it's ok with her oncologist first). Vitamin C is also good but is controversial for some oncologist. My oncologist said he has never seen any data to say it negatively impacts chemo but knows some docs feel that way.

    Lisa P.

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