Low WBC; Rescheduled 4th Treatment

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nudgie
nudgie Member Posts: 1,478 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I was scheduled to receive my 4th FLOFOX regime on 29 September 06, but found out that my Neutrophil (WBC)was too low (.7). Normal range is 1.8 - 7.4. My total WBC was 3.4 which wasn't too bad. So now the 4th treatment is scheduled for Friday, 6 October and my LAST session is now 26 Jan 07.

QUESTION: I now alot of people have run into this problem, but would like to know if anyone has been given the WBC injections w/the FLOFOX regime and if so, which WBC injection and how long.

My ONC Dr has been out of town, so I will be talking to him sometime BEFORE Friday.

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  • mum-of-four
    mum-of-four Member Posts: 22
    #2
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    Hi Nudgie

    this happened to me a lot - my treatment should have finished beginning of July but because of setbacks it didn't finish till mid September. Try not to focus too much on when you expect the treatment to end as that date may keep moving. Just cross off one treatment at a time and know that you don't have to do that one again. While you are waiting for your treatment, concentrate on keeping well, eating well and resting. I didn't have any WBC injections so I can't comment on that part sorry.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #3
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    Nudgie,
    The best WBC shots for me was Neupogin. A little of a hassle going every day for an injection, but it worked! I later had Neulasta for my breast cancer...wow! did I have side effects...shoulder and joint pain, flu symptoms. I begged to go back to my Neupogin....(this is the same stuff, just different delivery...Neulasta is one shot, lasts 10 days). The only thing we could figure was that I reacted to the time-release thing in the Neulasta.

    Hugs, Kathi
  • JADot
    JADot Member Posts: 709 Member
    #4
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    Hi Nudgie:

    What you are seeing is fairly common. It happened to me too, on the 4th round too. They gave me a nupogen shot, boosted my WBC from 3000 to 30,000. I could feel the stemcells oozing out of my bones. It work like miracle but I hated the concept.

    At that time I was trying a largely vegetarian diet. I was tired all the time and was hardly gaining any weight. When my blood signs took a dive, I got off the veg diet and did what Patrick Quillin said to do - have at least 100g of high quality protein a day, mostly organic chicken and eggs and tofu. Miraculously my blood signed recovered and held for the rest of my 12 rounds.

    So, Mum-of-four is right, don't worry too much but make sure that you sleep well and eat well - too of the most important things to keep your immune system healthy.

    Help this helps,
    Ying
  • lfondots63
    lfondots63 Member Posts: 818 Member
    #5
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    Hi Nudgie,

    My WBC was down after the first couple treatments also. I was on the Neulasta shots once every two weeks. I had no issues with the shot except some pain at the site the day of the shot. It did the trick though. I also started trying to eat more good protein. I was never fond of meat so I ate beans and nuts to supplement. I also started becoming anemic so had a shot for that the first day of chemo. I was taking a mega-dose of iron too. Most of us have had these problems and it is normal. The chemo is what is doing it. I just kept thinking X treatments down and X to go. It is depressing when you get pushed back. I got weepy a few times when that happened but then had to tell myself that I was almost done. I guess what shot you get rides on what your insurance will pay also. Both are good though. HUGS.

    Lisa F.
  • betina61
    betina61 Member Posts: 642 Member
    #6
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    Hi nudgie, At my second treatment my wbc was low too, and they put me on Neulasta,that is an injection given 24 hour after you finish your chemo, we are almost in the same path because today I had my fouth treatment.
  • Patrusha
    Patrusha Member Posts: 487
    #7
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    Hey, nudgie, my second treatment was delayed a week for the same reason. My oncs said they wouldn't resort to Nupogen or Nulasta unless the neutrophil count was down to about .4.

    I am taking a chinese herbal remedy called Chemo Blood Support to help boost my white blood cell counts. I just started it and am due for my third chemo on Friday so we'll see if it helps or if I get postponed again. I know the dissapoitment in getting held off.
  • vinny3
    vinny3 Member Posts: 928 Member
    #8
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    I have had both Neupogen and Neulasta. No side effects that I was aware of from either. My onc says the Neupogen only lasts for several days. The Neulasta lasts close to two weeks so the time interval between the chemo is supposed to be at least 2 weeks.
    ****

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