White Blood Cell Count Skyrocketed, Please Help

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bqswnnhn09
bqswnnhn09 Member Posts: 25
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer
White Blood Cell Count Skyrocketed, Please Help

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  • bqswnnhn09
    bqswnnhn09 Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2009

    I went for blood work today (treatment day 8), and white blood cell count is 50+. I am really worried. Can't stop crying. The normal level should be somewhere between 4-11. Does anyone out there have high number around treatment day 7-10, and then come back down on the treatment day (or treatment day 14 )? What was your number when it was high, and what was the number on the treatment day? I need to hear from you. Please help!

    Michelle

  • BethNY
    BethNY Member Posts: 2,710
    edited June 2009

    are you taking neulasta or neupogen???

  • bqswnnhn09
    bqswnnhn09 Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2009

    BethNY,

     I take Neupogen shots. I thought Neupogen was supposed to be milder. I guess in my situation it is not.

     Michelle

  • NLC
    NLC Member Posts: 3
    edited June 2009

    I had one shot the first round of treatment.  It turned out it wasn't enough to boost my WBC.  I needed three in total. I think my oncologist was trying to figure out/get a feel of  how many I needed since everybody is different.

    The highest number I had was around 14, 15.  On the treatment day, it varied.  One time, it was still pretty high. 

  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Hi Michelle,

    When the first AC wiped out my WBC, they made me do neupogen shots for three days in a row...my WBC shot up to at least six times normal (if I remember correctly)...WBC was quickly brought down by the second AC...hang in there...

  • jenni__ca
    jenni__ca Member Posts: 461
    edited June 2009

    when i was on adriamycin chemo i was on nuelasta and that worked well but when i transistioned to taxol chemo it was too strong and my onc switched me to neupogen and he kept adjusting how many of those shots (quantity went down) until he zeroed in on enough to keep my WBC up but not too up ... and yes my WBC went up to the mid 50's ... hang in there !

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2009

    Hi, Michelle,
    I had the same problem, even though I am not a young woman. When I asked my onc what it meant that the neupogen sent my WBC soaring, he said, "It means you have the bone marrow of a much younger woman!" Undecided So, apparently an age-related side-effect.

    One possible side effect of a too-big dose of neupogen is rapid heart rate -- not dangerous, but it can make you feel exhausted and gaspy. If that happens, rest up until it gets better, as exertion just makes it worse.

    Be well!
    Binney

  • bqswnnhn09
    bqswnnhn09 Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2009

    Thank you all so much for your response. It helped a lot to know that there are others who are in similar situation. I am very grateful that you took the time to help me through this difficult time.

    Hello123: You mentioned there was one time WBC count was pretty high on treatment day. Do you mind share what that was? And what was the number on day 7-10 for that specific cycle?

    americanpinay: When your WBC is six times normal, is that the number of treatment day or earlier?

    Jenni_ca: Congratulations on your 5 years free of disease. May you have many more 5 years to come. When your WBC is at mid 50's, is that the number on the treatment day or earlier?

    Binney4: I saw you joined this board in 2004, so I guess you are probably also free of disease for at least 5 years or so. Congratulations and may you have many more 5 years to come. Do you mind sharing what's WBC when it soared? and what was the number on the treatment day?

    Thanks,

    Michelle

  • americanpinay
    americanpinay Member Posts: 338
    edited June 2009

    Hi Michelle,

    Hope you are doing well.  The high WBC count was for the day before the second AC. I did blood tests a day or two before chemo as the med onc wants to make sure the WBC count is not too low.

    Take care.

  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited June 2009

    Sorry, Michelle, I don't remember the numbers. I ended up in ER because I was so out of breath and exhausted from the rapid heart rate. They did blood work, and the aid who came back with the WBC results actually yelled through the whole ER, "You're not gonna believe this WBC -- it's through the ceiling!" Didn't have to guess whose blood test results he was yelling about. (Not real comforting, either!Undecided)

    Hope things have settled down for you. How're you doing?

    Be well,
    Binney

  • bqswnnhn09
    bqswnnhn09 Member Posts: 25
    edited June 2009

    Thank you all again for sharing your info and for helping me through this difficult time. I had my last taxol. I hope I can put all this behind me soon. Wish everyone peace and joy!

    Binney4: Thanks for asking. I am doing better now. I am glad chemo is finally over.

    Michelle

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