Forum Discussion

airlie's avatar
airlie
Member
10 years ago

Neutrophils

Hi Ladies in pink,

I had my first round of chemo two weeks, supposed to be having second one today.  Was postphoned till next week due to .3 Neuropohils. I was told by the onco to go home and stay in my bubble for a while and dont see anyone. He said it is very dangerous.  Well that scared the you know what our of me.  My anxiety has gone through the roof with worry.

Has anyone had theirs that low and how did you cope.  Sorry just looking for someone to tell me they have been there too.

Hugs to ALL x Airlie

anxiety
chemotherapy

16 Replies

Show More
  • Brenda5's avatar
    Brenda5
    Member
    10 years ago

    Ten days after my first chemo I had a blood test which showed zero Neutrophils. I might add for that blood test I did go in with a mask on and sucked a Strepsils antibacterial lozenge so I did not pick up any bugs.

    When I saw the oncologist the day before my 2nd chemo he said my bloods were back up good enough to do the next dose but I had to take a Neulasta injection home with me and inject it into my belly fat 24 hours after the chemo dose.

    They said because the injection is so expensive they don't give it as a matter of course after the first chemo dose as some patients don't need it so if after that first 10 days after chemo blood test shows exceptionally low Neutrophils, then it sets a precedence and they are allowed to give the Neutrophil injection out after every dose thereafter.

    The injection is pretty simple. Its only a very short needle and it doesn't hurt much at all in the belly fat. Two pregnancies sort of killed off much sensitivity in the stretch marks area.

  • airlie's avatar
    airlie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Wow. 0 count. Any wonder you went to hospital. Did you have a neulasta injection. Keep in touch Chriss. Sounds like out schedule is similar. Can I ask what your diagnosis was. X ?? airlie

  • airlie's avatar
    airlie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Helen. Thanks for your message and glad to hear your count has gone up. I was told protocol now for Neulasta injection can only be given after 2nd round. Hope mine picks up quickly. Once again thanks Helen. I feel much better just knowing there are other ladies experiencing the same. Take care and please keep in touch. X Airlie 

  • airlie's avatar
    airlie
    Member
    10 years ago

    Thanks Chriss. Glad to hear I'm not the only one. I did have a lady who has had breast cancer say to me that she was surprised he didn't put me in hospital as I have a UTI . He put me on antibodics so I guess I'l just see how I go. It is good to hear ladies that have been there. All the best  x airlie 

  • ChrissK's avatar
    ChrissK
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Airlie, yes the same thing happened to me with 0 neutrophils, like you got ready for 2nd AC chemo and told to go hospital as I did end up with tonsillitis (which I thought were mouth sores due to chemo) and temperature (which again I thought were hot flushes due to chemo), got out Xmas day and was pretty much isolated till 6/1/16 in my own home which sucked. Just be careful and don't try not to go anywhere until next round of chemo.

    Good luck Chriss xx

  • helendx's avatar
    helendx
    Member
    10 years ago

    Hi Airlie.  I had my second chemo on Monday.  Blood test on Friday was 0.2 but had gone up to 1.2 on Monday morning so agreed I could have chemo but had to have Neulasta injection yesterday.  As I didn't know neutrophils were so low I was just taking usual precautions.  My onco said just to avoid crowds and people with colds or infections - and hand washing.  Not sure when the Neulasta kicks in but have to wait for numbers to go up so I can have port inserted.  My chemo is every three weeks so that is probably why it wasn't delayed.  All the best,  Helen