Hi guys I’ve just had chemo treatment no:13but 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 nowBut 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

@2 MC Great to hear you have had round 2 today. Injection tomorrow I guess. Couple of things I was advised- time injection as dead on 24 hrs after you started the AC as you can. Rest as much as possible so the body can use its energy well and drink plenty of fluids to keep hydrated and kidneys working top notch. Take your temperature regularly every day.I’m sending positive thoughts of happy little white cells growing fast! Lots of love Tinks xx

Hi @2MC Hope you are feeling better now that your neutrophil count has increased. Below is some information regarding infection during cancer treatment which you may find helpful. The injection that @ddon was referring to is called Neulasta/Pegfilgrastim. Take care of you,https://www.eviq.org.au/patients-and-carers/patient-information-sheets/3098-infection-during-cancer-treatment

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?

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 xxAny questions don’t hesitate to ask.xx

Neutropenia | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

Tinks
Member
5 years ago
@2MC Yes I understand what you mean about the fear and anxiety, it’s lonely isn’t it. Even with the best supports and love, it’s so tough mentally and physically. My experience is that on the EC (like AC) I had some similar experience each fortnight and some different, including the responses I got to the white cell injection. It always did it’s job, but that did mean I had one cycle when the bone marrow was slower to respond and I got neutropenia and fever and ended up in ED. Other times it got me super good white cells, so who’s to know?? My take is don’t anticipate the worst - we vary between cycles quite a bit and next one could be better! Lots of love Tinks xx
Shellshocked201
Member
5 years ago
Shellshocked201
Member
5 years ago
2MC, you’ve got this, take one day at a time, everybody has different side affects.
Stay positive and go with the flow, you will get through this and as you said you will be able to help and guide others coming through in the future.
Remember you are not alone and we are all here for you at anytime.

You're doing great, you are a warrior....
💕
2MC
Member
5 years ago
Thank you @Tinks
for you lovely words of support it’s nice to feel supported and not completely alone in this
My family are wonderful but if you haven’t been through it then it’s hard to understand the fear and anxiety.
When I get through to the other side of this journey I will definitely look forward to supporting others through their’s
thanks again xx
Tinks
Member
5 years ago
@2MC you are not alone and we are all here to support you. Don’t lose confidence in yourself and your body because the drug has caused something nasty yes that happened to you and also to many others before you (and after you).

In our stories you can read pretty much all of the side effects that can happen, we are different, but most of us have one or two Or three or four....!

This is the time to allow yourself to be concerned with you and to look after you, let others look after you, that’s what we all need at this time.

When you are through this you will be ready to reflect and give back.

lots of love

Tinks xx
2MC
Member
5 years ago
Thank you @Shellshocked2018_
you have gone above and beyond to help me not feel alone in this situation

it’s hard enough dealing with the anxiety around the cancer
but to have Neutropenia thrown on top which I wasn’t expecting has thrown me for a sixer and I’m starting to lose confidence in myself and my body

I’m praying every day for my own selfish needs and asking family for constant mental support
hopefully when I’m through this I can be as supportive to others as you are

Thank you so much xx
Shellshocked201
Member
5 years ago
Hi 2MC,
Firstly you are not asking to many questions, I believe you can never ask to many. I’m here for any questions so please ask away whenever.
You can even send me a private message anytime.

I had three visits to hospital during AC treatment.
First treatment was ok, didn’t know what to really expect, my temperature stayed stable, just had a few tweaks with my nausea medication.

It was the last 3 treatments.
Second treatment I felt unwell, was taking temperature as advised by oncologist team , it started to peak so went straight to emergency, my first visit my white blood cell count was non existent, I was in hospital for 6 days having intravenous antibiotics and I also had severe mouth ulcers, and also rhinovirus.( common cold)
They put of my dose for an extra week to let my body recover better.

Third treatment I was just taking my temperature on a regular basis, as they advise you to and went to hospital as it was raised, hospital stay was shorter. oncologist planned to drop my last dose by around 20 percent, can’t remember exactly.

Last treatment same as second , and the stay was shorter again. Was last dose.

I got through it and you will to, it’s just a bit of a rough ride, just run with the waves, you will have good and not so good days.
Taking your temperature is so so important, because when your white blood cells drop you can be really sick and you don’t know it, that’s why you need to present yourself to an emergency department straight away, use your card that was given to you to be seen straight away.

Take care, sending hugs xx
2MC
Member
5 years ago
@ddon Thank you
all the best to you also xx
ddon
Member
5 years ago
Hope you can get through the rest without problems xx
2MC
Member
5 years ago

Hi @Giovanna_BCNA
Ye thank you I am feeling better
i am now on oral antibiotics and hopefully they will send me home soon.
yes I did receive that injection
thank you for That information a insightful read hopefully I can keep infection at bay
frighten times especially with COVID 19 adding to my stress :(

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