Low WBC thinking of quiting chemo - help

canadianhockeymom

My WBC have been low every treatment.  (FEC-D)

I completed 3 FEC and 2 taxotere. All with neutrophil count hovering at 1

I have done 10 days of Neupogen everytime  (starting with my second treatment which was delayed 1 week) and it really does nothing to help!

My last taxotere was supposed to be Dec 5 but my Absolute Neutrophil Count was .02  

Dec 12 it was .66  and Dec 19 it is .88  so I am delayed till after XMas.  Making it 7 weeks apart (supposed to be 3)

I'm wondering after a delay of that long is it worth doing the last one?

I'm also EXTREMELLY worried that my WBC is an indicator that something else is very very wrong with me - like I have metastisis that they missed or something  ...... 

Anyone else with chronic low WBC even with Neupogen?

JJ62

Hi Canadianhockeymom,

I was able to respond with Neupogen, but I have a good friend who is now 14 years out from ovarian cancer who was not able to complete her chemo (she did 6 of 8) because of low white blood cell counts.  And hers were delayed.  Get lots of rest, drink lots of water, eat well and hang in there!  Not so easy this time of year with kids, and living at hockey rinks!  

Merry Christmas!

Anonymous

Canadianhockeymom, After my first chemo I landed in the ER with low white blood count - I was also on Neupogen. My MO was concerned that I wouldn't be able to continue. He switched me from Neupogen (10 shots) to Neulasta (1 shot). Although my counts still remained low, I did better on the Neulasta. Unfortunately, I had more bone pain with Neulasta, but was able to continue my four treatments. I also had one postponed due to abnormal echocardiogram. Delayed my last chemo for three weeks, making it six weeks from last infusion. These are tough choices we have to make. Maybe you can ask your MO about Neulasta? Good luck!

Holeinone

Canadianhockeymom, sorry you are going through this...I did Neulasta, worked fabulous, but bone pain with it...I did not get one on the last chemo, they let your body come back on its own..so my WBC is super low right now, 3 weeks post chemo. I also worry about the something else is wrong as I started my 1st chemo very low. I had 7 Neulasta shots  during chemo, so it did a good job keeping the #s were they needed to be.

So, are you very fatigued? That is my big issue. Lots going on with holidays....arrrg, we are going to be tough when this is over....

iluv2scrub

Dear Holeinone, I remember that chemo fatigue..thought it would never leave...it did.  My last chemo was June 10th and I had a 7 Nulasta shots. Nulasta worked for me and brought up the WBC count.  The fatigue was low HGB... I remember celebrating finally having double digit hemoglobin and I am still anemic but I have more energy.  During six weeks of radiation I didn't sleep well either because of the skin burn so I felt like a zombie!  I wish you the best....you are right....we are going to be tough when this is over...I am finishing up my Herceptin and should be done in February.  There is nothing like the fatigue that can come from low RBC and HGB!  Nulasta worked miracles for low WBC although it was so very painful in my bones....but well worth the pain.

Canadianhockeymom - I wish you well....JJ62 had good advice, lots and lots of water and rest.  Perhaps you could ask about Nulasta for low WBC.  All the best!

rafitamia

Sry to hear about the WBC, but if you decide to stop treatment, at least try alternative therapy....Read up on the following - just type in Turmeric and Cancer, etc. - like Turmeric, an Indian spice fights cancer cells, Astragalus also fights against cells and pain, and side effects of chemo we found and mom took.  Globulos rojos, (Red blood Cells) tonic or tablets, bring up not only your WBC, but puts in check your red blood cells to help fight the cancer.  Stop using sugar for sugar feeds the cancer cells, use Stevia, a sweet plant that does not feed cancer cells. This is all based on our personal use, which I now take to prevent cancer, or colds, etc.  Applecider vinegar, honey, looks all these up read for yourself and help your body fight, and ofcourse prayer, prayer, and uplifting spiritual songs to sooth the soul.  GBU  

ziggypop

Hey Canadian Hockey Mom - I did six rounds of TAC - about a week after the fifth round I called my onc & he had me come in & took one look at me & said he was admitting me. I had neutrophilia & spent (I think 4 days in a private room in the hospital). My numbers like yours were basically off the bottom of the chart. The doc really worked miracles on me in those 4 days - and then he delayed my last treatment & cut the dose in half - it was extremely easy to get through that last round at half strength & after letting my counts get back up a little. I too had low counts of WBC to start with & asked my onc about it & he said his own counts were lower than mine (there's a huge range I guess & lots of people are low with nothing being wrong with them - it's not a sign of metastasis). 

I can't advise you either way about the last treatment, but maybe the thing to do would be to talk to your onc about it. 

maltomlin

Please give Manuka Honey a try. I was recommended this by our major cancer centre & took it every day. I'm sure it made a huge difference. I was ready to give up but that was over 5 year's ago. I'm here enjoying life............which I never thought I'd be doing.

I'm on Femara which has given me some s/e, and I wouldn't dream of going off that. But you can do Manuka as well.

I still swear by this honey and take it every day. It's good stuff. It's even good for the dog!