Hi ladies,
I am confused,
I know ladies here will be able to help.
I was meant to have my 4th FEC this week and also a much needed filling in a tooth, but i had a phone call from the oncology nurse to say i couldn’t have my fillinf or my chemo this week due to the fact that my blood test was not great.
She did’t explain much but said to have another blood test next week and hopefully chemo.All i know is whatever it was that was wrong was, something should have been at least 1.5 but it was only 0.4, and the nurse said the doc may decide to give me injections.
I haven’t got a clue what she was on about, all i remember is she said to take my temp regularly and not to get an infection.
Can anyone help? Thanks ladies
Sandrae x
Probably the bits called Neuts. They help to fight off infections and if they are too low you will be offered injections to increase it. If it is not high enough when it is time for your next chemo it needs to be above a certain level. That is why they are asking you to take your temp because if you get an infection when your neuts are low it will take hold quickly and you will need anti-biotics quickly. Don’t worry though having low neuts mid cycle is very common and in most ladies it is high enough come the next chemo
Marian
Hi just to agree with the previous post. I popped into the chemo unit today and mentioned a sore throat. They did my neuts. They were 0.2 so I got an injection and 2 to take home with me. They said to avoid crowded places and phone immediately if I get a temp. Basically avoid infections until the blood count has time to recover. I hope I’m ok for my next chemo on tues. Good luck . Dx
Hi Sandrae
I have the white blood count injections after chemo,l have them for 10 day, not all hospitals use them.
A lot of ladies white blood count drops during chemo. By the next time you go they may have gone back up enough for you to have your chemo, if not sounds as though they may give you the injections.
Try and keep away from people with infections and colds while your wbc are low.
Hope they are ok for next week
Good Luck
Sandra xxx
I had an injection (neulasta) the day after chemo each cycle - I did it myself at home. I know many of the ladies here have had it also. Could you ask your onc if you could have it or something similar next time? I get the impression that those with low neuts tend to get them each cycle, so you don’t want to be in the same position next time. It works really well - mine were always in the normal range, not even slightly low.
Hi sandrae
Yes, I was neutropenic while on AC, and had injections to raise neutrophil counts. Once I started taxotere I routinely had neulasta injections like Finty mentions a day after each cycle.
C
Your neutrophils are at their lowest 7-14 days after chemo and if they have not recovered to a non neutropenic level by the end of your cycle ie> 1.5 you will have bone marrow stimulating injections to raise your wbc, neutropenia as such has no symptoms but you are at increased risk of infection, <0.5 is classified at severe risk. When my neuts went that low, I had 5 days antibiotics as precaution and neupogen. You may be offered neupogen or neulasta injections after your next chemo to avoid your neutrophils going low again. Good luck.
Thank you ladies,
I have taken it all in and understood, why the nurse couldn’t explain it like you ladies have, i don’t know.
thanks again, Sandrae x x x