Hi, just joined this group and have questions re Neutropnia. I had my first FEC cycle on Dec 12 having been diagnosed on Nov 20th, discovered I had neutrifil level of 0.0 on Dec 24th so was put on oral antibiotics however a raised temperature and reading of 0.0 on dec 27th dec meant a 5 day stay on IV antibiotics in hospital. Second FEC cycle on Jan 6th and GCSF injections on day 3/4/5 to stimulate bone marrow, however on Jan 17 & 20th nuetrofil reading of 0.1 so GCSf had no effect. Next cycle due Monday 27th with 5 days of GCSF. Has anybody else had the same problem and any ideas what I should do to help? I am crawling the walls as i have not been able to go out in company or go to the shops since before christmas.
Hello Gellybean999
Welcome to the forums, this must be very difficult for you. I’m sure other users will be along to support you soon.
In the meantime, maybe you would like to talk things through with a member of our helpline staff who are there to offer emotional support as well as practical information. The free phone number is 0808 800 6000 and the lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 to 5.00 and Saturday 10.00 to 2.00.
We also have a publication on FEC Chemotherapy, I have attached the link if you would like to have a look at it. www2.breastcancercare.org.uk/publications/treatment-side-effects/fec-chemotherapy-bcc96
Best wishes
June, moderator
Hi,
There is nothing you can do as regards the huge drop in neutrophils. In my opinion, your oncologist needs to be thinking about reducing your dose of FEC. Has this been suggested? I also had neuts of 0.1 during my first cycle last April and ended up on IV antibiotics. For my second and subsequent cycles I was given the Neulasta (another GCSF) jab once only, the day following chemo. Fortunately this worked for me. I wasn’t on FEC I was on Docetaxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin for 6 doses.
I hope you can get things sorted. I know just how worried you must be. xxx
I also ended up with neutropenia septis on FEC 1, neutrophils when down to 0.1. For FEC 2 and 3 I had my dose reduced to 80 % - neutrophils still dropped but I was ok. Starting T next week and will definitely need the G-CSF jabs to help with the WBC. My CCG doesn’t offer the 1 jab as it’s too expensive so it’s going to 5 individuals. I managed really well on FEC 80%, hardly any side effects, hope I can say the same for T but I doubt it 
Third round of FEC, 3 days before my neutrofils were 0.8 so had to have bloods done agian on monday before chemo, levels had reached 1.6 just enough to have chemo. I am having 5 injections of GCSF this time, doing them myself at home. Feeling quite vague, could this be a side effect of the injections?