Blood Count Problems

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sbcarper22
sbcarper22 Member Posts: 1
in Ovarian Cancer #1

Hello everyone! While I have been an avid reader of the discussion board, this is my first post. In December, I was diagnosed with stage 1C ovarian cancer and stage 1 uterine cancer. I have had two surgeries and 3 doses of chemo thus far. My chemo has been on hold for 3 weeks due to low ANC and platelets. I will be receiving Neulasta once I am able to get my next chemo treatment. My question - has anyone had any luck with taking papaya leaf extract or Manuka honey to increase bone marrow production? I have been researching online and heard that these two items can help raise blood counts. I am willing to try anything at this point. Thanks so much! 

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  • NoTimeForCancer
    NoTimeForCancer Member Posts: 3,369 Member
    #2
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    Hello, sbcarper22.  I am a

    Hello, sbcarper22.  I am a visitor from the uterine board and I would invite you to read and visit that discussion board as well.  I am so sorry to hear you have not one, but two cancer.  It is such a terrible disease.  I will give you my advice, and please know I am not a doctor, just another woman and everyone has their opinion.  

    1 - papaya leaf extract or Manuka honey - I have never heard this before.  I suspect if it helped I might have seen something on one of the threads as many of us have had issues with our counts.  

    I don't know what your normal diet is, but I was able to meet with a dietician who specialized in working with cancer patients when I was going through radiation and it was very beneficial.  I was told, as I suspect many were told, to "push the protein".  Well I asked the dietician "WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?"  She said to have at least 7 - 9 servings of protein everyday.  Meat, nuts, cheese, yogurt...you know what protein is.  1 oz of cheese equalled 1 serving.  1 egg = 1 serving.  Same with meat - 3 oz = 3 servings.  I admit, it got hard to keep eating that much protein but I wanted to try and keep on the chemo schedule.  She told me ice cream counted too, but I never really counted that. 

    I would say you could look at protein shakes, but you have to see what is in them.  For example, my cancer is 'fed' by hormones and your body treats soy like a hormone.  Now, I suspect soy, in its pure forms as beans, tofu, edamame (sp?) are fine, it is the highly processed, soy protein isolates, which are not good for me.  I would say Atkins shakes of the Premier Protein drinks are whey based. 

    2 - Neulasta - I did not get this shot but many women have and they have reported getting aches after the shot.  I have read where they have taken Claritin to help minimize the side effects.  You may want to check with your doctor or maybe one of them will chime in.

    I would also invite you to join the uterine board with questions.  Whatever works best for you - they get quiet sometime but some of us check in on our other "below the belt" cancer sisters. 

  • Tethys41
    Tethys41 Member Posts: 1,382 Member
    #3
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    Blood Counts

    sbcarper,

    I'm sorry you are struggling with blood counts.  I am going to recommend a couple of books that are written by professionals that may have some information that might help you:

    The Cancer Fighting Kitchen Cookbook by Rebecca Katz.  Katz is a nutritionist.  This book has recipes for healthy foods and identifies the ones that help with side effects of chemo, inlcuding blood counts. 

    The Definitive Guide To Cancer by Lise Auschler.  Auschler is an oncology naturopath.  She discusses supplements that are safe to use during treatment with various chemo drugs.  I have not read it, but she probably includes supplements that support blood counts.

    Good luck.  I hope this resolves soon.  

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