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2MC's avatar
2MC
Member
5 years ago

Neutropenia

Hi guys 
I’ve just had chemo treatment no:13
but my 1st AC treatment 
for the first four days I was flat an unwell and trouble moving my bowels.
could feel myself improving more and more over the next 3 days but by day 8 was feeling really good but still not moving my bowels had been using Aculax and Coloxyl 
that night I had Severe back pain and a temp of 38 thinking it was bowel related 
I went to hospital and am still here 3 days later having intravenous antibiotics. Apparently blood test came back saying I had an infection and my Neutrophils went as low as 0.2 
Dangerously low they are back up to 3.7 now
But if my back and bowels weren’t playing up I wouldn’t have had a clue how at risk I was of Serious life threatening infection 
i still have 3 rounds of AC to go the next in 4 days and am worried I’ll end up in hospital again or at risk of becoming Seriously I’ll 

has anyone experienced Neutropenia and still managed to get through further treatments without it happening again?
 I want to make it through my treatment’s for obvious reasons 
chemotherapy-side-effects
coping
febrile-neutropaenia
  • 2MC's avatar
    2MC
    Member
    5 years ago

    Hi @ddon

    yes I am receiving dose dense AC fortnightly treatment’s 12 rounds of chemotherapy before that I did have the injection 24hrs after the dose for white blood cells but obviously didn’t help :(

  • 2MC's avatar
    2MC
    Member
    5 years ago
    Hi @Shellshocked2018_
    Thank you for taking the time to share your story with me.
    If you don’t mind me asking did you get Neutropenia early in AC or at the end?
    and did it happen on every one after
    just asking because I have 3 to go

    what was the sign that sent you to hospital? Because I felt really well that day it was only the back pain that night that sent me to emergency 
    sorry if I am asking to many questions 
  • Shellshocked201's avatar
    Shellshocked201
    Member
    5 years ago
    Welcome 2MC, I suffered with neutropenia during my dense dose AC.

    This is still very fresh in my mind, I finished all my treatment October last year.

    During that particular treatment  of dense dose AC I was taking x2 Coloxyl with Senna every night, even if I was using my bowels ok. Drink 2-3 litres of fluids a day, try and do some short walks to help , there were times where I could hardly put one foot in front of the other and held onto walls to walk on my worst days.
    Keep a close eye on your mouth for ulcers, as it’s best to get on top of that sooner rather than later.
    I had several stays in hospital and had intravenous antibiotics, you are not alone it is more common than you think, I remember that myself and a few other ladies that had treatment around the same time all ended up in hospital around the same time with neutropenia.
    Your oncologist will keep a close eye on you and adjust treatments if necessary.


    After every treatment, take your temperature a few times a day around the same time, and if at all you feel unwell take it again.  Get yourself of to emergency immediately if you get a temp of 38.
    After dense dose AC you will get into a routine of when your worst days will be usually for me around day 4-5 was my worst, then you will improve .Keep in close contact with your oncologist regarding your symptoms as they can adjust your medication to suit, or introduce new medication depending on your symptoms, I remember calling the 24/7 number many times and spoke to an Oncologist that was on duty with any concern, sometimes it was just putting my mind at ease.
    Whilst having your dose dense AC I would highly recommend that you keep an overnight bag packed for hospital and take it with you anytime you present yourself to emergency.
    Take one day at a time, and roll with the waves, unfortunately we can’t change it , but we can control how we deal with things.

    One thing I can tell you is you will get through this, just like I have and others and you will be looking back and sharing your story with someone else just like I am.
    Stay positive, YOU HAVE GOT THIS! You are a warrior.....

    Sending positive vibes, and sending virtual hugs xx
    Any questions don’t hesitate to ask.
    xx
  • ddon's avatar
    ddon
    Member
    5 years ago
    Are you having the injections following AC to boost your bone marrow and increase your white cells and neutrophils? (Can’t remember the name) I had one 24 hours after each treatment which worked really well. Is your AC dose dense - every fortnight?