Low WBC after Neulasta shot (1 week post 1st chemo)

hope70

I had Neulasta shot a week ago. Today my WBC are low..as well as rbc, platelets, hemoglobin, neu.... Any suggestions? I asked my nurse if there is anything I can do about it . She said NO.  Does anyone has a different advise? Any dietary measures? Thanks

Moderators

Hi Hope70,

We're sure some other members will be by shortly with their ever-helpful advice. In the meantime, you may be interested in checking out the main Breastcancer.org site's side effect page on Low White Blood Cell Count for tips to help manage this side effect. In addition, there's some helpful tips in the Nutrition section on Eating When You Have a Weakened Immune System, that could provide some insight.

We hope this helps!

--The Mods

SpecialK

It is important to note that Neulasta and Neupogen can be ineffective for some patients, you may unfortunately be someone for whom that is the case.  There is nothing specific you can eat to boost white cell count, but you can follow the guidelines in the post above by the moderators to generally help strengthen your immune system, to try to maintain your red cell count and hemoglobin, and avoid situations that unnecessarily expose you to risk.  Some oncologists will prescribe prophylactic broad spectrum antibiotics to their patients that do not have a good result from Neulasta/Neupogen, but you would need to check with your specific oncologist.

Alicethecat

Hello Hope

Neulasta didn't work for me (the injection the day after chemo) but Neupogen injections every day for five days after chemo. Kept my neutrophils above 1 so I could continue chemo.

Could you ask your onc is you could try Neupogen too?

Good luck

Alice

hope70

Thanks for the info ! I am seeing oncologist on Wed. I will ask about my options. My WBC before chemo was 3.6 ( below normal 4.0-10.5) Today ( a week after Neulasta) it is 3.3. I guess, it is not clear whether Neulasta helped or not yet.  I ll be asking my body to cooperate;)!