White Count

LPack
LPack Member Posts: 645
edited March 2014 in Ovarian Cancer #1
Well, I still cannot take Hexalen as this time my count was 2.5. I have not had chemo since August 4th and only had one cycle of Hexalen from October 20-November 2. So you would think by now my white count would be normal. I was to start Hexalen for 2nd cycle November 17th, but until my white count is a 3 or higher she will not let me.

Anyone else have a hard time getting their white count up and is there something I can be eating or not eating to get this up????

Hope all had a wonderful thankful Thanksgiving.

In His Grip,
Libby

Comments

  • Dreamdove
    Dreamdove Member Posts: 175 Member
    #2
    Shots?
    Don't they give you any shots to boost your white cell count? I received shots regularly the day after treatments and if it wasn't for that I probably wouldn't have been able to continue treatments. Don't know if this will help you any because you have a different treatment but it would be worth asking your doctor about it.
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #3
    I get shots too
    Hi Libby, sorry to hear about your wbc staying low ~ I deal with this ongong and for me 2.5 is good and I still get chemo. I do get neulasta the day after chemo and when on a chemo regimen where I couldn't get neulasta they would give me neuprogren(sometimes for several days). When do you have labs again? I would think asking about the shots wouldn't hurt anything. Each Dr is different about each part of treatment.

    Hugs N Prayers Bonnie
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #4
    BonnieR said:

    I get shots too
    Hi Libby, sorry to hear about your wbc staying low ~ I deal with this ongong and for me 2.5 is good and I still get chemo. I do get neulasta the day after chemo and when on a chemo regimen where I couldn't get neulasta they would give me neuprogren(sometimes for several days). When do you have labs again? I would think asking about the shots wouldn't hurt anything. Each Dr is different about each part of treatment.

    Hugs N Prayers Bonnie

    My doctor told me if I have
    My doctor told me if I have to have chemo again (carbo/taxol) she will start me on growth factors (but remember I believe I will not need it again!!) I have not had anything for low counts, guess she just wanted me to try treatment without any shots. She has not called me yet, I had to call the lab to get my count to see if I should start on my Hexalen.

    Just wanted to know if I could boost it up with food!! :)
    I have a healthy appetite, maybe I up eating too much of something???

    Libby
  • ladyjogger31
    ladyjogger31 Member Posts: 289
    #5
    Hi Libby
    I never had a shot when my wbc had been low. I was put on Levaquin instead, it’s an antibiotic. It helped me a lot when I was on carbo/taxol. I'm now on Doxil had had my 3rd treatment today and my counts have been really good on this. I asked if there was anything I could eat or drink and they said nothing would help. I would definitely question her why she has not given you something. Please be careful during this time you don't want to pick up anything being your resistance is so low. Good Luck!!!
    Hugs and Prayers, Terry
  • Dreamdove
    Dreamdove Member Posts: 175 Member
    #6
    LPack said:

    My doctor told me if I have
    My doctor told me if I have to have chemo again (carbo/taxol) she will start me on growth factors (but remember I believe I will not need it again!!) I have not had anything for low counts, guess she just wanted me to try treatment without any shots. She has not called me yet, I had to call the lab to get my count to see if I should start on my Hexalen.

    Just wanted to know if I could boost it up with food!! :)
    I have a healthy appetite, maybe I up eating too much of something???

    Libby

    don't understand why you haven't been given shots
    Libby, is your doctor a gynelogical oncologist? Not to critisize your doctor because they might have different ideas about treatments but getting the shots (neulasta) is standard procedure. I can't imagine anyone with low white cell counts during chemo not getting them! This way you won't be as subject to every cold and flu coming your way. Never heard of a certain food to eat but I imagine a very healthy diet is in order and a good multi-vitamin. I really do believe I was able to keep up my strength (and work, too) because of the shots. If your doctor could give you a reason why you don't get them, at least you'd know why.
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #7
    Dreamdove said:

    don't understand why you haven't been given shots
    Libby, is your doctor a gynelogical oncologist? Not to critisize your doctor because they might have different ideas about treatments but getting the shots (neulasta) is standard procedure. I can't imagine anyone with low white cell counts during chemo not getting them! This way you won't be as subject to every cold and flu coming your way. Never heard of a certain food to eat but I imagine a very healthy diet is in order and a good multi-vitamin. I really do believe I was able to keep up my strength (and work, too) because of the shots. If your doctor could give you a reason why you don't get them, at least you'd know why.

    Yes, she is and one of the
    Yes, she is and one of the best in Pittsburg. And not all do give shots I have found out. But when I talk to her I will ask. Probably because I have done so well with chemo (very few side effects) but I will ask.

    Thanks,
    Libby
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #8
    ladyjogger31 said:

    Hi Libby
    I never had a shot when my wbc had been low. I was put on Levaquin instead, it’s an antibiotic. It helped me a lot when I was on carbo/taxol. I'm now on Doxil had had my 3rd treatment today and my counts have been really good on this. I asked if there was anything I could eat or drink and they said nothing would help. I would definitely question her why she has not given you something. Please be careful during this time you don't want to pick up anything being your resistance is so low. Good Luck!!!
    Hugs and Prayers, Terry

    Thank you Terry, yes, some
    Thank you Terry, yes, some of my lady friends have not had the shot either. I will ask is there anything she can put me on to boost my numbers up.

    Libby
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #9
    LPack said:

    Thank you Terry, yes, some
    Thank you Terry, yes, some of my lady friends have not had the shot either. I will ask is there anything she can put me on to boost my numbers up.

    Libby

    Won't hurt to ask
    Hi Libby! Sorry your counts are still down. It sure won't hurt to ask. I have only had one shot and that was after the 2nd. chemo of carbo/taxol way last year. I was taken to the adm. office before and told that Medicare had notified them that it would soon not be covered and if I had to have more, I would have to pay the $1200. Maybe that scared me so much that it kicked my bone marrow in. Ha! Anyway, I will be praying extra for you that it will go up on it's own. ((Hugs and Prayers)) Saundra
  • BonnieR
    BonnieR Member Posts: 1,526 Member
    #10
    saundra said:

    Won't hurt to ask
    Hi Libby! Sorry your counts are still down. It sure won't hurt to ask. I have only had one shot and that was after the 2nd. chemo of carbo/taxol way last year. I was taken to the adm. office before and told that Medicare had notified them that it would soon not be covered and if I had to have more, I would have to pay the $1200. Maybe that scared me so much that it kicked my bone marrow in. Ha! Anyway, I will be praying extra for you that it will go up on it's own. ((Hugs and Prayers)) Saundra

    medicare
    Hey Saundra, My understanding is that medicare does pay for the shots, unless you fill get them at the pharmacy and give them to yourself. We use to do this, but now have to go to hospital and pay someone to give me the shot so it is covered. How messed up is the health care system? LOL

    Libby, pray when this hits the boards your numbers have already starting rebounding.

    Hugs Bonnie
  • saundra
    saundra Member Posts: 1,370 Member
    #11
    Shots
    Thanks Bonnie. Since I have not had another one, I didn't know that Medicare was still covering them.
    That's good to know for future reference. So glad you are feeling like posting. Saundra
  • LPack
    LPack Member Posts: 645
    #12
    appointment
    My ONC/GYN did call me yesterday after she had received the counts and I will be going to Pittsburgh to see her next week. She said we will discuss in person what the next step is since my White Count and my Platelets neither seem to be going up to where they need to be. Anyways, I am just glad to be here to chat with you fine women!! Have fun getting ready for Christmas and don't get too tired!

    Love and prayers,
    Libby

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