My OH has just completed a 4th cycle of FCR - however each cycle has been reduced from the previous one, initially due to low platelet figures, now it's low neutrophils.
Full set of blood tests today, so waiting to hear what happens next. Only symptom is fatigue, but this is debilitating and depressing.
I hear you, I just came off 3 months of very low neutrophils.
Unfortunately, they will be low on FCR until after treatment for a bit. I some cases they may use a stimlulating factor drug like neulasta or neuprogen... this is not uncommon during FCR.
You need to be cautious about foodborne bacteria and pass by the salad bar, deli counter and restaurants in general, until your OH counts rebound.
Kitchen cleanliness is imperative... bleach and hydrogen peroxide wipe downs are advised...
More on diet limitations with neutropenia...
upmc.com/patients-visitors/...
The counts will rebound it might take a bit of prodding and time.. hang in there...
~chris
We've asked numerous times about diet etc, and the haematologist just keeps saying, live as usual. We're in France, not sure if this affects their thinking - we do tend to eat a lot of salads, tomatoes, all the stuff which is local. And Nick never seems so show any effects of eating like this, so am a bit confused.
I have also read that if you are neutropenic, that you shower daily, and keep yourself and your clothing very clean. Have a seperate hand towel, or better, use disposable towels after washing hands after using the bathroom.
Seems like it is time for being neurotic about cleanliness.
Hope the treatment is a great success and that the neutrophil count comes back up very soon.
All the best,
Sandy Beaches
I am quite neutropenic myself now. Neutrophils between 0.2-0.5 for months. I am not going full-out on the recommended neutropenic diet because it would eliminate too many healthy (and enjoyable!) foods from my diet. But where salads and other raw veggies/fruits are concerned, I basically eat that stuff at home where I wash it really thoroughly. I scrub fruits and veggies with soap and water, and I rub lettuce leaves under water as much as I can without bruising them. (The full-out neutropenic diet says no raw fruits or veggies.) I do not eat at salad bars for now, or help myself to appies off the appy platter at public events. I am eating a bit at restaurants and cafes but am selective about what I order - usually cooked/baked stuff. I am also washing my hands a LOT more, and am really conscious of not putting my hands to my mouth without washing them first if I have been out in public. I have not had much problem with infections during this period. Just one case of bacterial bronchitis in winter, which was easily cleared up with 7 days of sulfatrim.
good luck,
kim
That sounds like us - everything is well washed - seems wrong to
miss out on local fruit and veg
Oops, hadn't finished ... we always cook from scratch at home, and have been making a big effort to make sure it's a balanced diet, with lots of colourful food. So tomorrow could be veggie curry with lots of turmeric.
Soft ripened and blue cheese are a higher risk, also anything unpasterized, like honey...
Eating in a cautious manner while neutropenic reduces the risk of getting ill from food, thats all.
Good to learn about neutrohils and what they do...
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neu...
~chris
Aw no ...feel your pain... I did the same throughout my chemo . After each round the old neuts went on holiday .. Stay safe is the most important thing you can do.
Have the hospital talked about gcsf injections...I didn't have them but they can be effective in boosting your neutrophylls
Good luck x
High Neutrophils & Low Neutrophils: What Do They Mean?
Venetoclax and low Neutrophils 
high lymphocytes and low neutrophils
Zero neutrophils.
neutrophils
