Hello to you all
Wondered if anybody else had been delayed with the chemo cycles due to low white cell count and particularly low neutrofil count. I had my first cyle of FEC 3 weeks and 2 days ago - was due second cylcle this week (Monday) but had to be postponed due to neutrofil count of 0.9.
This was obviously disappointing for me as we all want to get on with treatment and get it over as quickly as possible.
I was also very surprised as I have been feeling really well following my first week when usual side effects of nausea, constipation, etc were experienced.
Any comments on other peoples experiences of similar would be much appreciated.
Take care to you all.
Janey
Hello Janey
I have had 2 cycles, and yesterday rang the hospital to say I had a sore throat. They called me in for blood tests, and found that the neutrofil count was down to 0.6. I had been feeling good, so was surprised, but they were very worried about the (what I thought minor) throat infection getting worse, so am on 3 days of injections to boost blood count as well as antibiotics for the infection. If the problem clears in time, I am due the 3rd cycle on Monday, but was told that if I had not had the extra blood test, I too would have had to delay the chemo.
Hope that helps
all the best for the next treatment
Ann
This is a very common problem on chemotherapy. There are some injections called G-CSF. of which neulasta is one. This injection is expensive and some hospitals are reluctant to use them…another postcode lottery. But it is worth asking your oncologist and sounding knowledeable. (I have got th injection through private medical insurance but would have got it on the NHS in east London but not where I live now in mid Hampshire.)
I know how very upsetting it is to have chemo delayed. there is a whole campaign to be had on this issue.
best wishes
Jane
Ann and Jane
Many thanks for your replies - more than helpful - I have heard of neulasta Jane and think I will have to consider this if the problem re-occurs. In fact the hospital that provides my treatment do offer this if undergoing the trial which has accelerated cyles so it should be available to me.
It’s so very frustrating having chemo postponed and resulted in a short bout of being down in the dumps. Anyway - resolved that by going to the wig shop and buying one which actually looks acceptable - and at the same time was able to provide some support to a much older lady who was devestated and in tears regarding the potential hair loss - so all in all - a better day and I just need to hope that I can have my chemo on Monday next week.
Thanks to you both once again and best wishes wherever you both are in this ‘thing’.
Janey
Hi Janey, ask for the injections, I was given them after neutropenic after first chemo. My white count was nil. I did actually end up in hospital again after my third even though had the injection. I used to dread not being able to have the chemo, but was able to. They will let you do them yourself in my area, although I never had to as my daughters learnt how to do it for me !! Sometimes it beggars belief that it is 2008 and the unfairness of postcode lotteries is still an issue. Hope you get the injections love Eileen
Hi Eileen
Thanks for your message - how many times was your chemo delayed? When you were admitted to hospital was this because you were symptomatic or purely because you were neutropaenic? Sorry for all the questions and hope you don’t mind but I like to gather as much info as poss (my onc dreads me walking through the door).
Hope you are in a good stage of your treatment/recovery.
Best wishes, Janey
Hi Janey
I had problems with low neutrofil counts throughout my chemo treatment. I had 8 cycles of treatment, and I think 4 were delayed - its 4 year’s ago now, and I’m still here, so got through despite all these setbacks. I think the only point when I shed tears in the hospital was when they told me I couldn’t have the chemo - yet again.
After cycle 2 I was given G-CSF injections. I started on 3, mid cycle, but by the end was on 10 (London NHS). They really work, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the chemo without them, and I never had to be hospitalized.They offered me the choice of going to the hospital for the injections, having a nurse come home, or doing it myself and I chose the third - the nurses gave me a lesson and it wasn’t hard.
As the others have said, do ask about these.
best of luck
Sarah
Thanks Sarah for your comments - it’s all helpful - keeping my fingers crossed for blood results tom and hope I can continue with chemo next Monday - otherwise my onc will be seeing me prematurely!!
Janey x
Hi Janey
I was neutropenic (0.3) despite have neulasta following my first chemo, and my onc was surprised it took so long to come up 5 days to get to 1.7!! I was in hospital for a week during this because I had an infection but it did not delay chemo as they had risen enough for the 2nd dose to go ahead. I had my 3rd dose today and neuts were 4.7.
I have read on here that manuka honey is good for this so bought some, I love honey anyway but it is a little pricey, so not sure if it helped or if it was just coincidence but it doesnt do any harm either so I will continue to take it
Linda
X
Hi Linda
My friend has just been to take blood for me (benefits of working in a hospital) - keeping everything firmly crossed that my neuts will have raised sufficiently to have my second chemo on Monday. Husband has a cold though and hope that this hasn’t effected my little cells! Thanks for your tip on manuka honey - am keen to try anything and more so if not chemical based - will definately get some!
Best wishes to you with all of your treatment.
Janey x