I know we have a blood test to check for low white blood cell count but is there any way we would know ourselves before this?
Yes.
Check your temperature. Anything over 37.5, measured twice one hour apart, or over 38 just the once, needs a phone call to your chemo unit. If you’re feeling unwell (well, more unwell than chemo usually makes you feel) even if you don’t have a temperature, give the unit a ring too. These can both be signs of infection and if your WBC is really low, it can be VERY SERIOUS, so don’t delay with the phone call. If you do find yourself in A&E for not feeling good, you need to tell them your currently on chemo and that there is a risk of neutropenia - stamp your foot if necessary, not all A&E staff are as well-informed as they should be - and get them to do do a blood test as a matter of urgency.
And in the meantime, we’ll all keep fingers crossed that your blood count stays high.
CM is right, check your temp & if it goes above 37.5 phone the hospiatl even if you feel fine. I did after my first chemo, my temp was 37.6, felt ok, rang the unit & they told me to go to a&e and tell them I was on chemo, I was taken straight into a side room & blood taken, was neutropenic. I was on antibiotics for 4 days, I didnt even feel ill, but it can be really dangerous when you are having chemo, so important that you dont think oh its only a slight temp, I wont ring, you must look after yourself when you are having chemo.
It is also poss to have neutropenia WITHOUT a raised temperature - I was hospitalised twice for it, both times with my normal temp of 36.5
I was just feeling very unwell and peculiar.
The one time, I was clammy and hot, felt odd and like I was in an alternate dimension. Diagnosed with neutropenia and ‘severe general malaise’.
Newts 0.5 Admitted within 2 hours for bedrest and rehydration for 2 days.
The second time, the very sore mouth was a dead giveaway; I couldn’t even swallow water without wincing in pain.
Newts were 0.5 again. Admitted immediately for morphine, bedrest and rehydration for 2 days.
If you are in any doubt - feeling unwell with or without a raised temperature, ring up and go to the chemo unit.
Both times I was allowed home when newts had improved and I was able to walk without leaning on someone and eat and drink and just “look much better”.
Many thanks for all helpful comments, have had blood test this morning, waiting results.
just had results of blood test. neuts are 1.6. apparently cut off point is 1.5 which means I am OK for chemo tomorrow.
Thundernewts are go!