Hi Ladies,
Hope you can help. I had my 1st cycle of CMF three weeks ago and have been feeling really unwell throughout. Went to my GP on monday and she advised a blood test. Rang me to say white cell was low at 2.5 and neutrophils were 1.15. I havent any knowledge of what they should be as I had Neulasta injections with the first four EPI and my blood count always held up, she advised me to keep a check on my temperature but it seems ok at 36.5 I just feel really achy like I have the flu and my energy level is zero, even the simplest of tasks is exhausting me. Just wondered if you ladies could reassure me if this is normal? I am due another cycle on Monday. Thanks
Love Jillxx
Hi Ruth,
I havent taken anything as yet, I will take your advice and ring.
Thanks
Jill
Hi Jill
I just put the following up on: Infections anyone else
Hope it helps…
Neutropenia is new to us and no one at the hospital could tell us what the scale was - Liz went in at 0.01 and came out at 0.9 (and rising). In case you are as mystified as were were, Cancerbackup says:
"Neutrophils are a type of white cell found in the blood. Their main job is to fight infection especially infections caused by bacteria and fungi. So if your neutrophil count is low this means you are more at risk from infections. A low neutrophil count is called neutropenia.
Normally we have between about 1.5 - 7.5 x (10 to the power 9) neutrophils per litre of blood. But, usually when you’re told your neutrophil count doctors will just use the first part of this figure. So a normal count would be between about 1.5 - 7.5…
Neutropenia can be mild, moderate or severe.
* Mild neutropenia – between 1 and 1.5.
* Moderate neutropenia – between 0.5 and 1
* Severe neutropenia – below 0.5.
If you have neutropenia you should always contact your doctor or hospital right away if your temperature is high (38C), or if you feel unwell or have any other signs of infections such as a cough, sore throat or diarrhoea."
Hi Freddie, Thank you very much for the information, it is a great help. Based on those figures it is not as bad as I thought, rang chemo unit and they said to monitor my temperature Thanks again
Jill
Hi Jill,
I had low white cells after my 2nd cmf. Like you say the injections during epi are great and keep you going. I had a chest infection which seemed to take over my temperature hit 38.6 and i was admitted for 8 days and on an antiobiotic drip. I came out a couple of weeks ago and am on the mend now. I still have rotten cough but am taking everything very slowly and keeping well away from anyone with coughs and colds. Have my day 8 chemo on monday then only 2 to go in December. So January and February will be my fitness months before back to rotten old work.
Gaynor
x
Hi Jill
Hope you’re feeling better now - thinking of you
x x x
Hi Ruth and Gaynor.
Ruth, Thanks for asking about me, I am not improving at all unfortunately, my doctor been in touch and I am going to see him at 3 o clock he is going to do a repeat blood test to check that my levels have not fallen more. So keeping my fingers crossed. Really want the count to improve to enable chemo to go ahead on Monday, such a lack of energy, and this week should be my “good” week. I will let you know how I get on. Love Jillxx
Gaynor. Thanks for replying, Nice to have someone on the same chemo to compare notes. Think as you say the
injections make a difference. My temp has stayed ok so far just feel really achy like the flu, and very breathless when I attempt to do anything, my OH is doing the ironing as we speak! Hopefully the doctor will sort me out.Good Luck with your chemo on Monday bet you are so glad that it is nearly over. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes.Love Jillxx
Hi Jill
I keep a record of my blood results and was told the lower and upper limits of all of them which vary slightly from Freddie’s in that I was told the white blood count is between 4 - 11 and Neuts are between 1.8 - 7.7.
I’ve been low on both of these because that’s what chemo unfortunately can sometimes do to you. With your Neuts though it’s about being aware, if you are just on the border, of what you eat because it’s your ability to fight bacteria. Mine are currently right on the lower limit but have been well down at times. Also, my white blood count is beginning to climb and is just above the lower limit at the moment.
Good luck!
Pinkdove
Hi Jill. Sorry - didn’t pick up initially that you were on E-CMF. My wife is too (TACT2 - arm 2). Have you had a look at the discussion: side effects of chemo E-CMF
HI Jill,
hope your count has gone up, and that you’re feeling a bit better
hugs
Ruth x x x
Hi Jillian
As you have had neulasta injections for the Epi. I would ask about having them again. (though this could be tricky as neulasta is expensive.) I had neulasta for AC and taxotere chemotherpay, then with a recurrence didn’t have it for my first vinorilbine and bloods were right down. I had to argue to get neulasta and got it for the rest of the cycles.
good luck
Jane
Hi Everyone, Thanks for all your replies. I have been much the same, however my white cell count has risen to 3 but my neutrophils dropped again to 1.02, they were the blood results I got on Friday. I am due my 2nd CMF cycle tommorow so will see then. My breast nurse said that I may have to have another week off as I am still very breathless and they suspect I have a viral infection.
Freddie. I have had a look at the discussion, very helpful thanks.
Ruth. Thanks for asking about me. Much appreciated.
Pinkdove. Thanks for the information, and good idea to keep record of blood results, will start doing that and then
can compare each cycle,
Jane RA. I am certainly going to ask about neulasta Jane, they told me that it was not necessary for this type of chemo, but this has floored me for a month so will argue too if thats what it takes. My original oncologist left, and he told me at the start that I would get it with each cycle as I have a immune disease, but the new oncologist has a different opinion and stopped it. Thanks.
I will let you know how I get on tommorow.
Thanks to you all
Love Jillxx
Ooh this was interesting…when I ended up in hospital they said my count was 0.3 so no wonder they kept me in so long… bit scary isn’t it!
Hi Everyone,
My chemo went ahead they said my bloods were just ok, argued my corner for the neulasta injections but did not get anywhere, said to see how I cope with this cycle and if its the same as last one then they need to rethink whether to continue. Can anyone tell me, all my nurses so far have administered the chemo very slowly through the vein, today it was a male nurse and he put all three syringes into the canula in a matter of a few seconds, too quick in my opinion, but I am only going on what I have been told previously, anyone had the same? My OH had bought a ice lolly. as we were told by oncologist that this helps while the CMF is going in to prevent ulcers, but the nurse did not give me chance! Thanks to you all for your help over the past few days.
Love
Jillianx