White Blood Cell Counts low-Help!

My white blood cell counts dropped after almost all my TAC tx even though I was getting a Neulasta shot so my oncologist added the neupogen shots.  The shot didn't hurt - the nurse recommended getting the shot in my stomach rather than arm and even though that sounds bad - I never felt a thing.  I didn't have many SE from them but some women complain of muscle & bone pain for a few days after.

What precautions you take partly depend on how long your counts were.  After my first chemo, my counts dropped to .7 and I was told to wear a mask if out in public, avoid crowds, avoid sick people, sanitize my hands alot, no fresh, uncooked fruits & vegtables or undercooked meat. 

I had other tx where my counts were low but not dangerously low and I continued to work and be around people but just was careful to stay away from anyone with a cold or flu. 

Your oncologist should give you some guidelines.

I was on a Taxotere/Cytoxim regimen and after my first treatment my white count was virtually zero.  Work is a pretty germy place, so I was planning on working from home anyway (if you have that option), but while my count was low, I felt pretty terrible for about 36 hours - chills, sore throat, the whole bit - so wouldn't have gone to work anyway. 

 After cycle 2 I got a Neulasta shot and my counts have been perfect - so they are well worth it.  I was warned of bone pain with Neulasta, which I had three or four days after the shot, and one night it got pretty bad, but a pain pill left from surgery did the trick and I was able to sleep. I only had the severe bone pain once, after cycle 2, and didn't at all after cycle 3 or 4.

My husband receives Taxol one week and Taxol/Avastin the next.  He is completing his third cycle.  He takes four Neuprogen shots beginning the day after chemo.  No side affects from the drug.  WBC count is up.  You are right about the cost.  Our co-pay is $335 a week.  We will hit the dreaded gap and pay the entire treatment amount for two weeks.  What would you do without insurance?

i asked my onc about nepogin(sp) and she said she doesn't give that anymore.  She uses neulasta which she said was more effective. One shot about a week after chemo