Low white count

[Mamaw1]

I was diagnosed with overian cancer stage 111 in october 2017. My c125 was at 4580. As of last blood draw for the c125 it was at 14. My question is my last three treatments have been delayed due to the white count that fights infection is holding at 1.4. My Dr likes it to be 1.5 or higher. How many treatments can be delayed before it is no longer effective. Just concerned

[GwenHP]

Delays due to blood counts are very common. I don’t know of any study that suggests a delay will impact the effectiveness of a specific chemo. That your CA125 is 14 is a really good sign that the chemo has been effective to date.

There are lots of things that probably contribute to development of resistance to a particular drug. Even if you do develop a resistance down the road there are a lot of other drugs out there to try and new drugs are being developed.

Again congrats on the CA125 numbers!

[Mamaw1 in reply to GwenHP]

Thank you for the reassurance.

[ecappiello]

My doctor has me get Neupogen shots and a Neulasta shot to keep my white blood cell counts up.

[Ljcoco226]

I wonder why your doctor is not starting you on Neuopogen or Nuelasta shots? My Dr. Let me get to .9 and then started the shots a week ago. I have not missed a treatment. I am only up to 1.2 but still receiving treatment. It is my understanding that with frontline treatment, it is important to keep the chemo in the body and not miss treatments. I would question him on this. Also not clear what stage 111 is. Are you stage 1A1? That might be the reason, although I have not heard of that stage/grade actually receiving chemo.

[Jaimee]

I had chemo on mondays and would go on wed and thu for a neurogenic shot ( generic version for me was Granix. They blood tested Friday then for chemo on Monday. That seemed to be the standard of care at my place. I never skipped. I would talk to them about that. Hopefully it’s not your insurance dictating.

[Margiedolly]

Hi, Mamaw! Is your Dr. giving you GSF shots for your white blood cells?

[Margiedolly]

Also, what a fantastic drop in CA125!! That chemo is doing it's job. I had similar issues. Since I'm BRCA 2, Olaparib has kept my CA125 at 8 for 4 years! There are other meds for BRCA1 and non BRCA mutations that are being discovered, too!

Congratulations on your successful chemo!

[sara_mamani96 in reply to Margiedolly]

Can I ask you if you have been on Olaparib after the first line treatment? Thank you and best wishes-Sara

[Margiedolly in reply to sara_mamani96]

Dear Sarah, I was on 8-12 months of chemo for six years before I got into the Olaparib trial. It's now been 5 years of Olaparib only. Much nicer than chemo, and much more effective!

[sara_mamani96 in reply to Margiedolly]

Thank you so much for your reply. If I understand you well, for six years you were on chemo for about 8-12 months each year. If so, I can guess how it was hard. Wish long remission.

[Margiedolly in reply to sara_mamani96]

💖☺️Thank you! How are you doing?

[sara_mamani96 in reply to Margiedolly]

Thanks for asking 🙏🏼🙂🌺. It is still tough days, as my mom is doing chemo. Have to wait and see what is the result and next step. Her oncologist will put her on Avastin. However, he is not positive about the Avastin!

[Chelelou]

Hi. I had every treatment except one delayed. One by 3 weeks! All due to either white blood and neutrophils or platelets - sometimes all 3! I'm now 6 months on from chemo and all is well. I also had injections for white bloods, can't remember what they were called now xx

[Lizchips]

During my chemotherapy and surgery they gave me pints of blood to keep my counts up to keep me from skipping the treatments. Might help. Best wishes, Liz