Anyone still have low white blood cell and neutrophil count months after chemo/rads?

missrenee
missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I finished 6 rounds of TAC in May, '10. Ten days after my 6th and final treatment, I was put into the hospital for 5 days for a neutropenic fever due to really low white blood cell and neutrophil counts. They had me on IV antibiotics and the infection cleared. My counts went up but were still below normal. I then started 33 rads which finished in July.

I just had my yearly check-up with my PCP who did bloodwork. My white count is low and my neutrophils are low. I have an upcoming appointment with my oncologist in December. I'm still a little tired at times, but otherwise feel good.

Has anyone had low counts continue after treatment? How long did it take to come back to normal? I'm traveling at Christmas and am a little concerned about being exposed on the plane.

Thanks, girls.

Hugs, Renee

Comments

  • Kylez
    Kylez Member Posts: 3,761 Member
    #2
    No, I haven't Renee. Be
    No, I haven't Renee. Be sure and talk to your oncologist about being on a plane with all of the other passengers.

    Hoping that you have more energy soon and that your count improves.
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #3
    My counts see-sawed for months
    Hi, Renee -

    Not sure how applicable my experience is -- I did a different chemo cocktail (Taxotere/Cytoxan) than yours, and my cell counts stayed up throughout thanks to the Neulasta shots, so I didn't have to go through what you did with an infection.

    My counts came right back up to normal after chemo ended...then the next month dove back down...then the next month rose back up (picture Hubby's roller-coaster avatar -- those were my cell counts!). This went on for months. I was freaking, but my oncologist said that see-sawing for a long time after chemo is very common. He didn't stop checking my cell counts until almost a year after I finished chemo, when he was finally satisfied that they were stable.

    Hope that helps?

    Traci
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #4
    TraciInLA said:

    My counts see-sawed for months
    Hi, Renee -

    Not sure how applicable my experience is -- I did a different chemo cocktail (Taxotere/Cytoxan) than yours, and my cell counts stayed up throughout thanks to the Neulasta shots, so I didn't have to go through what you did with an infection.

    My counts came right back up to normal after chemo ended...then the next month dove back down...then the next month rose back up (picture Hubby's roller-coaster avatar -- those were my cell counts!). This went on for months. I was freaking, but my oncologist said that see-sawing for a long time after chemo is very common. He didn't stop checking my cell counts until almost a year after I finished chemo, when he was finally satisfied that they were stable.

    Hope that helps?

    Traci

    Thanks Traci--
    I'm feeling better about this. I had read similar stories in a couple of different web sites as well. Did you take special precautions when your counts were particularly low? Do you get any infections while this was happening? Apparently, there is really nothing you can do to raise white cell counts or neutrophils. Wish there was--I prefer being pro-active.

    Guess I get to ride the roller coaster for awhile!

    Hugs, Renee
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #5
    missrenee said:

    Thanks Traci--
    I'm feeling better about this. I had read similar stories in a couple of different web sites as well. Did you take special precautions when your counts were particularly low? Do you get any infections while this was happening? Apparently, there is really nothing you can do to raise white cell counts or neutrophils. Wish there was--I prefer being pro-active.

    Guess I get to ride the roller coaster for awhile!

    Hugs, Renee

    I wish I could offer you
    I wish I could offer you some good advice Renee, but, I haven't had this happen to me.

    But, I am still sending you hugs and good luck!


    Angie
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #6
    so sorry you're not feeling so good. I wish I knew how long it takes for our bodies to get to a new normal.....
    {{hugs}} Char

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