My mums just been told her white blood cells and neutrophils are low - 0.3. In the past she has been admitted twice for this. She has been having GCSF injections for 6 days but don’t seem to be working - its day 8 since last chemo session. She’s really fed up and scared. Anybody in this position? Got to check temp and if it gets to 37.9 have to go to A&E.
Do all people on chemo have low blood cells 7-10 days into chemo cycle but are not aware of it?
Has anyone had their chemo dose reduced because of persisent low blood count?
I had similar problems but got through chemo in the end, albeit with delays. It is a pain to have the stop and start issues. I was transfused whole blood to help address the issue as everything was low with me and that did boost me. I managed to get through the chemo with no ore admissions after that. Try not to worry - the chemo can cause problems but at most hospitals they do monitor it very carefully.
Hi London
like Jane, I have had problems with neutrophils with each cycle and have only had one cycle on time. Its frustrating and worrying but your mum will get there in the end. The thermometer is always next to me and thats a pain in the butt, but I now only have one chemo to go. Like your mum I’m on day 8, and also like your mum, a count of 0.3 is a regular occurrence for me.
I have had an alternative treatment to GCSF called Neulasta - its a single injection given 24 hours after chemo and similar but stronger in how it works, but I had an unusual reaction to it and have reverted to GCSF.
I hope things go well for your mum and you and that her temp remains OK, especially over the next few days.
love, monica x
I have this problem too, after the third treatment they gave me Neurolasta which seems to have done the trick as this last time my counts were higher than I when I first started the treatment. I have had it again this today and the oncologist says that I will have it each time now to raise the levels.
my bloods dropped to 0.15 after my first chemo, but because i had no temp or signs of infection they werent bothered… my bloods were low the whole 6 months really and only raised enough by chemo day. number of times my pre chemo neuts were 0.3 or 0.4.
your bloods do drop on chemo thats to be expected, but its if you get an infection or fever (or have history of these whilst on chemo) thats where the worry is that you could get sepsis which would be a serious problem
so you might get the gcsf, or if you bloods are still low on chemo day they might either postpone treatment, give you antibiotics to take and/or gcsf.
try not to worry and hope you and your mum have a lovely christmas