Hi all - I’ve just finished 9 monthly Carbo & Caelyx for first recurrence. Ca125 is 8. Likely starting PARP Olaparib within 8 weeks. Many of my blood levels are low - although all were within normal range PRE chemo. As I am currently immune compromised - do I wait a few months to get the covid vaccine or do I get it as soon as I can before starting parp?
I’ve read and been told the vaccine is not as effective with low blood count. I’ve also read we should get the vaccine as soon as we can. Please share your experience. Thank you!!
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ElayneZ
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Hi Elayne, Great news regarding g your CA125. It would be good if you could ask advice regarding your immune system and the Covid jab. I am on the Rucaparib parp and was told by the Oncologist to go ahead with the vaccination,which I have done. While you are taking the parp your immune system will be affected,which is what I have been told by the Onc. I hope that things go well for you with the parp.x
Thank you! I was so ready to be done with chemo. The dr wanted ca125 to plateau before we stopped since it continued to lower each month so we went longer than the initial 6 months. I have asked many knowledgeable folks that I do respect and their opinion about Covid vaccine timing varies. So thought I’d ask here. Think I will continue to be careful for a bit and allow lab results to increase ... and before starting PARP I will get vaccine. Hope you are doing well with Rucaparib. Reading so many good things about PARPs! Take care!
Hi - I have asked my oncologist. She said i could get it now or wait because my red and white blood counts in particular are so low. A couple of the Chemo nurses yesterday said I should wait. Also with covid I am not going out except to the lab or to chemo or once a week for a quick run to the grocery store. Since I’ve finished chemo - my blood counts will improve so my thought was to wait a bit. I believe you said your blood counts were not low. I do want the vaccine but if waiting for improved lab results is best, I’ll wait and continue quarantining. Thank you for your input. I do appreciate it.
Hello - I am on weekly Taxol and was told to get vaccine when offered-my GP said that they are aware that the vaccine may not be as effective for people with immune issues, but that any protection is better than none at all. Speak to your team and be guided by them - good luck
I was told to go ahead and have my first dose (on carboplatin) which I did but second dose is likely after chemo... working on the premise that some immunity is better than none! xx
I agree some immunity is better than none. My concern is because I am coming off 9 months of chemo my blood counts are extremely low. Onc told me not to let anyone sneeze around me. So my thoughts of waiting is to give them a chance to improve so I’m not so compromised. Hope you are doing great! Good thoughts to you!!
Love the hug from France - thank you! No one has mentioned a booster. Completing the chemo cocktail will bring bloods back up. I called yesterday to schedule vaccine in 4 weeks but haven’t found where I could schedule 4 weeks out. Will make more calls today. I agree vaccine is important - I do want it - I just have had conflicting advice on timing. Hope you are well! Blessings!
I have just finished Carbo/Caelyx and am also hoping to start on a PARP. I was advised to have the vaccine four weeks after my last treatment. I had it last Saturday.
That’s great. Congratulations on completing carbo&Caelyx! I did fairly well on it - except for some pesky skin issues - and the lowering of blood counts. Very thankful it brought the CA125 down to single digit! Hope you are doing well! Sounds like the parp will be Olaparib for me. Do you know which you will start on? Let me know how you do on whichever one you are on. I’ve read lots of positive feedback on the PARPs which is encouraging! Blessings!
Hi. Not sure yet if chemo has worked for me. I get the scan results next week. As I am BRCA negative, I won't be offered Olaparib and the onc had mentioned Rubraca. Just keeping my fingers crossed that the chemo has worked.
I am BRCA negative also. My onc suggested that I start Niraparib. I am stage 4 b or c. I have been taking it since last July. They lowered my dose, because of blood counts. My hemoglobin dropped too low. I seem to be ok now, except I suffer from mild muscle and bone pain. I also have neuropathy in my feet. Hope you do well whatever your dr. gives you. 😊 Donna
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