Hi all! I'm not very versed in all the numbers of my regular bloodwork (yet!), but I do know that a low white cell count means increased risk of infection. Was scheduled to begin my 3rd cycle of Ibrance (100 mg) tomorrow, but onc says my WBC is too low and to postpone until another re-check next week. My head knows this is not uncommon, but my anxiety over disrupting treatment is kicking in. 🤯 How many of y'all have experienced this , and how did you cope? Any ideas on how to help my body recover so I can get back on track?
Thank you! 😘
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suzi-mac
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On it for 4 years. Please do not worry. This is so common it is normal. Take the break to boost your immune system by diet, spiritual and emotionally supportive practices and doing nice things for yourself, whatever brings you joy. You may find your body adjusts or that the schedule or dosing is changed. The treatment is a constant rebalancing for what works for you. This creates anxiety. Try to see it as an opportunity to go forward with the best plan for you.
The disruption in the schedule will not cause problem if drug is working. I had to go on 75mg- could not tolerate higher doses. Also it’s not just the white blood count they look at- they look at that and the ANC. Our bodies usually rebound quickly. Practice good hand hygiene, stay out of stores. (The nurse in me speaking)
It’s common for wbc neurophylls to drop, I’ve been on 125 for 9 rounds but now dropped to 100 as I was waiting 2 weeks between rounds. Some say kiwi fruits helps , I take vit c turmeric vit d and calcium tablets along with vit b
Every little helps lol
Pls stay positive I know it’s hard I hate going to give blood everymonth constant reminder that we have this shit disease, but it won’t beat us
I had many interruptions with no I'll affect. However I did have to stop ibrance due to very low white count. The other med you get, either Letrozole or Faslodex or something like this, is the more important part of your treatment.
After a year and a half on ibrance I still have to wait three weeks each cycle for my neutrophils to return to a safe level. My oncologist said there is nothing I can do to help them. Just my bodies reaction.
I know that many of us have gone through this. But it is normal and the time in between is actually good for our bodies to recover and carry on.
Rest, relax and eat well. Your body will do the rest. You will feel better when you resume. Maybe a change in schedule consistently will help. I'm learning as long as we get our drugs, they help.
Oncs can be creative with the schedule and we won't lose the efficacy of the drug. This has happened to me and my body has adjusted! Yours will too.
I have had to stop treatment for a week or two several times and I don't think it has had a major impact. Your body needs a break and time to recover. I enjoy this time because its one less pill i have to pop!!
My neutrophils are low, but just within the normal range on 75mg. Everyone I hang out with was sick this past winter. My best friend had influenza and was sick for 2 weeks. Everyone in my bridge group was sick with colds and sniffling and sneezing at our games, and obviously, I touched the cards they touched. Not to mention, public places: door handles, shopping carts, touching cans and boxes in the supermarket, etc. I never caught anything from anybody. Take good precautions, as we all should: wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer, wipe down shopping carts, try to keep your hands away from your nose/eyes, and you should be okay. I don't even think about it.
It is your absolute neutrophils that is most important. The oncs want that number at least 1,000 to continue dosage. I am personally not a fan of it even being that low, BUT. That is the prodution of white cells in your bone marrow, basially baby white cells being produced so then they grow to your white count that you are looking at.
This was me last week in exactly the same position ie about to start round 3 but neutrophils down to 0.7 so onc wouldnt prescribe Ibrance. I was very anxious but this week up to 1.9 so back on it. You can eat greens and fruit and try to relax for overall wbc/immune system but Its the neutrophils part of the wbc that causes the problems and my onc told me theres nothing you can do to help raise the neutrophils, just have a break from the Ibrance. What I will say is I've started having Reiki - first session last week after the 0.7 count. before that my counts were never higher than 1.2 and in such a short space of time it shot up from 0.7 to 1.9. Maybe coincidence but Im gng to carry on with it and see what counts are next time - hopefully even higher. X
Hi, here's a link which explains reiki far better than I can. It's recognised in some hospitals now where they offer reiki before and after some sugeries.
I have been on Ibrance for 15 months and my neutrophils stay around .3 to .5. I’d did move from 125 to 100 in December but my numbers stay low. I have never missed the regular 21 on 7 off dosage. My dr is a hemotology oncologist so very versed in blood and neutrophil is only a small part of the white blood cell. I have not gotten sick at all in this time, I’m very careful - lots of hand washing and sanitizing. It is really frustrating about the low counts but meds are working so I am happy to live with it!!!
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Low white blood count 
IBRANCE/LETROZOLE CELL COUNTS
neutrophil count
Sickness due to low neutrophils
Low blood count
