Low ANC levels after third round chemo

[CBurnett]

My fathers ANC (white blood count something) is now .67 should be above 1.5. Has anyone had this happen? What did your doctors do? His oxygen is around 93%. Everything here is forced and no one will do anything. Driving me crazy to have to advocate for every bit of help. Knowledge is my power. Please give me guidance.

[patandemma]

patandemma@CBurnett

a number of oncologists prophylactically give Neulasta with each chemo cycle,especially if it's an older patient because of the risk of severe or fatal sepsis. This is what my oncologist did.

Neulasta stimulates the marrow to produce mor neutrophils

Maybe you should consult an oncologist who specialises in treating prostate cancer

[Gecrellin in reply to patandemma]

I concur. My white blood count was negligible during my first chemo cycle, so my oncologist added Neulasta to all subsequent cycles, and through 21 more cycles, I have had no further issues with low counts. Dealing with a medical oncologist specializing in treating prostate cancer is key.

[Hidden in reply to patandemma]

So we think the treating phyician specializes in, say, breast cancer??

[CBurnett in reply to patandemma]

Thank you. I actually inquired after first round if she would be adding neulasta to his treatment because of his age 74 and she said no. Wow thanks here we r now in isolation in hospital.

[Wayne-P]

I took milk thistle to help my liver and ate a lot of spinach and other green leafy vegetables to help my blood counts. I also took B-COMPLEX. It helped to keep my blood propped up. I really feel that the key is to keep your liver strong during this time. Take a fairly heavy dose of the milk thistle. Stay away from crowds. Your immune system is tanked and you don't need to catch a virus. It could kill you

[anya6]

my father's clinic put him on nuelasta from day one. They seem to have a process for different scenarios and just follow that (which can be a +and -). I do think going to an incologist you feel cares about your family's concerns is important. We recently changed ours within the same practice. Which city are you in maybe folks can recommend a 2nd opinion? I say that understanding that going to another doctor can have an emotional toll sometimes

[Hidden]

after my first round, my anc went to zero also. Put me right in the hospital. I started self injecting nuelasta and away it went to 2.5-3.5, etc. Just a bump in the round, no worries.

[CBurnett in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Hidden in reply to CBurnett]

Not a problem, my white blood count and anc both recovered nicely after my chemo and they remain stable. I had a hematologist explain to me that white and red blood cells can vary for still unexplained reasons. He also told me that if my anc stays somewhere around 1. or higher, not to worry, even .5 isn't the end of the world. 1.5 is a number someone decided should be baseline. Just don't let your father roll around naked in cow manure and everything will be fine.

[CBurnett]

Currently at .67 waiting for today

[patandemma]

patandemma@CBurnett

as a physician,hoping for ANC to recover SPONTANOUSLY or hoping it won't get worse while still getting chemo is crazy.

ALL chemo is toxic to bone marrow to some degree. In your father's case,it has demonstrated itself to be very toxic.

Get a second opinion soon

I

[CBurnett in reply to patandemma]

The doctors are horrible here. I have lost so much faith. Not even sure hisnonvologist has been contacted. It's insane.

[Hidden]

Re "Your immune system is tanked" ... thats one reason I'm considering Leibowitz's Three3-Pronged Protocol. They lay out their drug cocktail for all to see (Google it) and claim that their chemo boosts their pts' immune system. But, like every other educated oncologist, they watch every pt's WBC and any other relevant marker very closely and treat accordingly.

Bring on the barnyard!

[CBurnett]

Blood counts all rebounded nicely in their own- white 4.0 and ANC 2.09. This was on feb 15.

[patandemma]

patandemma@CBurnett

Congratulations.

How long after his last docetaxel did the rebound occur?

Is he going to get Neulasta with his next docetaxel infusion?

[CBurnett in reply to patandemma]

It came up about 14 days after. They will not give neulasta as long as he can do it on his own.

[patandemma]

patandemma@CBurnett

Thanks for the reply

Please keep us updated

CONTINUED GOOD LUCK TO YOUR FATHER