Anybody else have low blood counts years after chemo?

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karody
karody Member Posts: 89
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I am four year out.  My counts on Thursday were low WPB, low RBC, low neutrophils, low hematocrit.  Now on Saturday I have bruises showing up with no injury to cause them, although I am pretty sure my platelets were normal just two days ago.  Oncologist says some people's blood counts just never return to normal after chemo, but I am 39 years old!  I am so tired of being sick and tired.  Is there anybody else out there who has been through this?

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2014

    I just had my first totally normal blood panel when I had a physical in Novemeber......finished chemo June 2007....so yes, it can take years!

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  • karody
    karody Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2014

    Ruthbru, glad to know I am not the only one!  I had one "normal" range for neutrophils in September when I had a raging bacterial infection my neuts were elevated to 2.1...and I was actually excited about that!

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  • ruthbru
    ruthbru Member Posts: 57,235
    edited January 2014

    My doctor was never worried about the numbers. I felt OK and there was nothing I could anyway, so I didn't stress about them. But I did keep track & was thrilled when they started to inch back & finally hit the 'normal' line on the grid! (Although now that you mention it, I was on the tail end of a horrible cold when I had my blood drawn, so maybe my white blood cell count was up from fighting germs.....at least I know they are out there and can rally when necessary!)

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  • lkc
    lkc Member Posts: 1,203
    edited January 2014

    Yes, this is me too. I just have a new normal. Altough  the low counts leave me abit more vulnerable to infections, I am super careful about being in crowds or around anyone sick. It's not that bad for me.  Also interesting I found if I DC my routine supplements one week before my Blood counts are done. they go back up!

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited January 2014

    I finished chemo in 2009, and I've very very very slowly watched my blood counts inch up to normal range. They aren't there yet but they are getting close. As lkc said, the low counts do slightly increase our vulnerability to illness so I try to stay almost as diligent as I was during chemo.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2014

    Finished chemo 2 years ago. My blood counts are OK, but always hovering on the very low end of normal or even a tad below. I make an effort to eat regularly and eat enough protein as well as a good selection of veggies and nuts. 

    My mom finished chemo 5-6 years ago, and she has the same thing going on.

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  • faithfulheart
    faithfulheart Member Posts: 544
    edited January 2014

    going on 5 years after chemo, hang around 4or 5 ..You know,  I really think its just the new Normal as was said before.... I got so excited last check up I think I was 5.5 !!!!! I am tired a lot however.but, I think also the AI plays into that as well. I would not worry about it and if your Dr. is ok with where you are at and you feel ok, you are!!!!

    Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2014

    Faithful, which count is 4 or 5?

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  • Kayrem
    Kayrem Member Posts: 164
    edited January 2014

    I also had low blood counts up to 1 1/2 years out from treatment. Got really concerned because I tested BRCA 1 and needed to do prophylactic surgeries. I never really got sick in that time just always had low counts when tested (1.4 for neutrophils). 

    One and a half months before my first surgery I stopped taking turmeric and a few other herbals (sea buckthorn, etc.). Then my numbers slowly inched up to normal and the day of my surgery my numbers were all normal. I think that the herbals were like a non toxic chemo for my body. I went off the health wagon after my surgeries but I am trying to get back on and I will start taking my turmeric again. 

    So numbers being low may not be a huge issue if you are not getting sick like I wasn't. Everyone around me was getting flus and colds but not me and my numbers were super low apparently!

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  • cp418
    cp418 Member Posts: 7,079
    edited January 2014

    Add me to the list too. Finished chemo Sept 2006 and WBC never returned within normal range.  I make sure to get yearly Flu shots as advised by my docs.  In the past, I frequently had bronchitis and hope to avoid it.  I suppose it confirms my immune system wasn't working.....

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  • karody
    karody Member Posts: 89
    edited January 2014

    Okay, it is reassuring to know that this could be normal even years after chemo.  I do fight my head about whether chemo permanently damaged the bone marrow or my body is weak because mets are sneaking up on me :(.  Part of this fear is that my cancer was originally misdiagnosed, so I am probably extra vigilant about keeping my body healthy.  Also, I have little kids and I am determined to raise them.  Better women than me have been denied that privilege.  It really frustrates me that I can't get that bone marrow doing it's job!

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