Herceptin and low white blood count - Worried

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1

Hello all

I just had a call from the chemo nurse to tell me that my white blood count was low and that they would like me to come in to have the blood test repeated. It’s only 1.8 at the moment. I finished my chemo about 2 months ago and am on herceptin alone now.

Has anybody else had this problem whilst on herceptin alone?

I’m now feeling extremely nervous as don’t know what this means and any words of reassurance/comfort would be most gratefully received.

Thanks

Ruby

2

Hi Ruby!

I too am on Herceptin. I don’t know how blood counts affect treatment though as it’s not chemo. I am due my Herceptin on Wednesday and go for my bloods tomorrow. I’m expecting a low count myself as I’ve been fighting a really bad cold since Boxing Day which I am sure has affected my immune system.

I’m wondering if you may have had an infection, a low grade one, which may have affected your white cell counts? You might not have noticed it but it could have sent your counts down. Try not to worry too much, Ruby. It’s possible that when they repeat the blood test your counts will be up again. Let us know how you get on.

Love
Sue

3

Hi Sue

Thanks for the reassurance. The mind just goes into overdrive when you’ve just been plodding along nicely and all of a sudden a spanner is thrown into the works. I guess it is possible that I was fighting an infection that I just didn’t notice - hope that’s all it is.

I go on Friday to have my bloods taken again and hopefully will get the results straightaway.

Ruby xx

4

Hi girls,
I too finished chemo in november and am now on Herceptin (and Tamoxifen). Nobody has mentioned blood tests and I’m sure I’m not having any. Should I be??
Jacquie

5

Hi Jacquie
Whenever I have herceptin the chemo nurses take some blood from me - it’s routine where I am so maybe you should ask when you next have herceptin.

Ruby

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I haven’t had any blood count tests done. I will have to ask.
Anne

7

Hi

Thanks for the info Ruby and Anne I wasn’t aware that bloods ought to be taken before Herceptin, I will bear that in mind when my chemo finishes and I am on Herceptin alone.

Ruby don’t worry too much a low blood count (In my experience) can raise overnight, especially if you drink a Mackison and eat liver for tea!

Take care

Carol

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Thanks Ruby - I’ll ask…
Jx

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Funny that about the liver Carol - I ate some yesterday so let’s see what happens on Friday when I get my blood taken again.

I’m pleased that starting this thread has made you ladies aware that you should have your blood taken when having herceptin.

Ruby xxx

10

Just shows how different hospitals do different things,

i have just finished 12 months of herceptin on its own without chemo, i had my chemo before.
i never had my bloods taken before Herceptin,

The only time i had my bloods was when i saw my oncologist at my 3 month check ups.

kim -x-

11

Hi

Just to let you know my white blood count has been down all the way through Heception. Runs at about 2 to 2.5, prior to chemo it was 5.5. It is a known side effect, low white cell count. If you go on the manafactures website for Heceptin they list all the side effects, there are a lot of them. I have just had my last Heceptin and have suffered no infections at all since finishing chemo 11 months agon, not even a cold.So don’t lose any sleep over it. I have found that I know more about the side effects of Heceptin than my BCN or team because I have looked into it.

Good luck with it all
Love
Geraldine45

12

Hi ladies

It seems that each hospital does things differently from what you have all said.

Geraldine thanks for your comments what you have said above has made me feel much better so thanks so much for replying to me.

I go for a blood test on Friday just hope that if it’s still low they don’t decide to stop/delay my herceptin
xxx

13

Hi All

Well had my 2nd Herceptin on Thursday and they did blood test before they gave me my Herceptin, but nurse said it doesn’t really matter, as not like chemo and weren’t waiting for results before giving it to me.

Love
Dawn
xx

14

Hi again Ladies

I had my blood test and my oncologist said to me that if it is still low they will do a bone marrow procedure on me - just a little freaked out by that to say the least.

I wonder why for some people the doctors don’t get worried or follow procedures carried out in other hospitals and for some people they are really cautious. I was surprised to hear that some of you don’t have blood tests during herceptin. I had no idea they would take blood from me during the treatment but just presumed when they did it was normal and everybody had it done.

Dawn have you had any herceptin in combination with chemo? My herceptin started together with my 4th lot of chemo (taxotere).

Anyway hoping that it is just a blip and I don’t have a cold or any other infection and am generally feeling ok.

Thanks again for your replies as they are very reassuring.

Ruby
x

15

Hi Ruby

I only started on Herceptin on 20 Dec, and finished my chemo on 21st Nov. Had 3 x FEC and 3 x Taxotere. Not sure why they didn’t do them together as I know a lot of ladies do, although the last 2 of my tax, I wasn’t that healthy with cough/cold and chest infection!!!

I hope that you are OK and if they do bone marrow test, all is OK. I think it depends on where you as to what your treatment is like and how administered.

Take care
Love
Dawn
x

16

Hi Dawn

I’m pleased to hear you’ve finished your chemo and that is out of the way as it’s horrible. The herceptin is a doddle in comparison. shame you weren’t so healthy during your chemo in fact neither was I until they gave me a white blood cell boost injection at each chemo session.

Anyway I guess I’d rather the docs were being safe with me and checking everything out just in case.

You take care too.
Ruby
xxxxxx