low hemoglobin and platelets

[Peloton]

My husband in on Carbo and cabazitaxel and it is causing his hemoglobin and platelets to drop. He is now having to have blood transfusions every other day. Has anyone else had this issue and if so did your blood counts finally stabilize?

[GP24]

You may discuss with your oncologist if you could add Sargramostim.

frontiersin.org/articles/10... : "Sargramostim accelerates hematologic recovery"

[Peloton in reply to GP24]

thank you. We will ask our doctor

[swwags in reply to Peloton]

Leukine (Sargramostim) aids the growth of platelets (White Blood Cells), not red cells. What specifically are they trying to address with the transfusions?

[NecessarilySo]

I have had a low hemoglobin lately but I am on Lupron and I don't consider it a side effect, at least not directly. I attribute it to having maneuvered my diet into a situation where I tend to consume little iron. I avoid beef and pork, and the weight gain problem from Lupron has got me consuming limited calories. Hence I am taking iron sulphate and B12 supplements, and I have increased iron-rich foods, and decreased famotidine and coffee, hence the problem seems to have stabilized, although it has not improved much in the past few months. I believe it will gradually improve in the new year.

Current Hemoglobin low, 13.3, Platelets 189. RBC 4.49, Ferritin 44, Iron Saturation low, 13, Iron, 46.

[dhccpa in reply to NecessarilySo]

Why have you been taking famotidine?

[NecessarilySo in reply to dhccpa]

I have had a long time heartburn problem. I used to have kidney stones caused by high calcium tums. Famotidine (pepcid) avoids kidney stones. Lately I just bear with it and avoid antacids completely. Low stomach acid prevents absorption of vitamin B12 which is needed for red cell production. Coffee also prevents absorption of iron for an hour before and after meals.

[dhccpa in reply to NecessarilySo]

Thanks I sometimes take famotidine as part of the Jane McKelland protocol but not permanently