Been advised today that my neutrafils are o.6 they were 1 last wednesday i am on the 20 th day since FEC has anyone please experienced this and why should it drop from 1 on day 15 (i did have a biopsy on day 16 for the back of my arm where i had the lymph nodes removed 9/10/07) my first t-axi has been cancelled for this week, really worried could do with some advise please
Kind Regards to all
Kate
Hi Kate,
Neutropoenia is a common consequence of chemo, and one of the limiting factors in deciding how much you can have (and how frequently). They will probably want it to come up a bit before resuming; the neutrophils will start to recover if the chemo is delayed. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but I’m sure they will get it right for you - you’ll need more blood tests though.
If you are really worried ask to see your oncologist to discuss it.
All the best
Jojo
Hi Kate
I have just finished 4 x fec. After my first one - my count went from 9.6 on Day 1 to 0.6 on day 8 ! Fortunately, the prompt use of anti-biotics by my GP bought it back up in time for the 2nd one on the right day - and although I have had to have anti-biotics every time since (except this one fingers crossed!) - it has not delayed my treatment at all. I too have to have tax, but not until after my rads in Feb/Mar.
As JoJo says - it is a bit of a balancing act - I was warned at the outset that although 3 weekly sessions were planned it might be necessary to make some of them 4 wkly depending on neutrophils. At the end of the day they have to make sure you are in a stong enough position to take the chemo - given the potential dangers of a very low neutrophil count - to administer chemo while it is still low would not be wise.
Please try not to worry (easier said than done I know) - they won’r delay any more than is necessary
take care
Margaret x
Hi Katie,
I had 3 x FEC and 3 x Taxotere last year. I think having Taxotere puts you at particular risk of developing neutropenia.
After my first TAX I ended up with a temperature of over 40, went to the hospital to discover my neutrophils were only 0.1 and my wbc 1. It was therefore straight into hospital for me. I spent 5 days on IV antibiotics. This happened at about day 10 though which is usually the lowest point for blood counts. Your blood counts might have dropped further because you have an infection youre not aware of which your blood is fighting. My infection was never found although it was assumed it was there somewhere due to the depleted bloods and high temp.
Anyway, the important thing is that to stop this happening after every Taxotere (as some people are more vulnerable than others) I was given an injection after my next Taxotere to make sure that my blood counts did not drop again. And it worked brilliantly! My bloods were fine and I had the shot again after my 3rd Taxotere. Apparently it is very expensive, in the region of 1500 pounds so they are not given out routinely. Im not sure exactly what chemo youve had but it could be that once you get straight and have your next one this injection might be very useful to you. By the way, the chemobrain gets no better, or maybe its the menopause, I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the injection!!
Sure someone else will though!
Take care and hope you feel better soon
Pauline x
Hi there
Don’t worry about it too much as its really common. Afetr my first taxol in October my neutrophils were 1.1 and went down to 0.6 the next day , I was admitted to hosp. for 3 days as I had a temp. I was told once they start to go up after a few day and that was certainly true of me as they shot up. In my case my dose was reduced which helped, other people might get white cell booster injections.
Any way wishing you all the best
Alison x
The name of the injection is Neulasta. I had neutrophils of zero after my 4th FEC in spite of having Neulasta every time, which seems to be very unusual as I haven’t heard of this happening to anyone else. My infection did respond to antibiotics fortunately but I couldn’t have any more chemo. I think that the oncologist was particularly worried because the neutropenia occurred in spite of having had Neulasta, as most people are able to carry on with chemo even if they have neutropenia several times.
Good luck
Anne
Thank you all for your advice it is so good to know that you are not on your own.You all sound so brave and strong and it is an honour to think i am in such good company. My own oncologist is on holiday until the 18th Feb but if my neutrophils are not back up next Monday the head nurse at oncology is going to take advice as to whether i have something called GSK7 (probably got that totally wrong) after the first taxi when i do get it.Everyone of my FEC have been delayed because of infection, but luckily i do feel pretty good except for tiredness so i feel pretty fortunate.
Best of luck and lots of love to you all
Kate xxxxx
G-CSF (granulocyte-colony stimulating factor) is a growth factor that works by encouraging the bone marrow to produce more white blood cells.There are three different types of G-CSF:
lenograstim (Granocyte®)
filgrastim (Neupogen®)
pegylated filgrastim (Neulasta®).
Unfortunately there is a huge postcode lottery in using these drugs which are very expensive. But they are usually very effective in boosting white blood cells and neutrophils and therefore preventing delay in chemoptherpay.
I have private medical insurance and got neulasta during 6 cycles of AC and 4 of taxotere for primary treatment. Now with a recurrence I have had to really argue with my conologist to get neulasta (I still have private insurance but in my area neulasta seems never to be used on the NHS) despite having low blood counts on vinorilbine, carboplatin and gemzar.
In the US far more women get G-CSF as standard. I think this is an issue which the breast cancer charities should ebe campaigning on. Though G-CSF is expensive there are costs involved in not prescribing it: e.g. cost of more blood tests; in-patient costs for those hopsitalised with neutropenia.
Neupogen is cheaper than nelausta but involves several daily injections rather than just one.
This is such an important issue for chemo patients.
Drug costs are just crazy…my carboplatin costs £60 (cause its an old drug) but the neulatsa costs the hospital about £800 (hospitals bulk buy so its not the £1200 or £1500 sometimes quoted.)
Jane
Hiya Katiej and all
I had EPI + 5fu last year, and am currently on Gem /Taxol as of dec07. Ive been as low as 0.5 many times with both, but thankfully have been well enough to carry on regardless(except once having to cancel day8 last month). As I understand it, so long as you havent got an infection or temperature, and you feel okay generally they are happy to carry on your treatment.
All these side effects can be scary till you find your feet and get more informed, so dont fret too much(though we all know we do anyhow!). Apparently theres a lot they can do to bring your bloods back up before they get worried too!!!
Best wishes for your future treatments.
gem x
Hi Jane and Gem, Jane thank you so much for all that info i have been researching it but you have put it all in a nut shell Gem thank you for all your encouragementi wish you both the very best that life can offer.
Lots of love
Kate xxxxxxxxxxxx