Low White Blood Count

[juana828]

Hi everyone. Hubby's WBC count is low, so Hepatologist wants to put him on Neupogen. Have any of you used it? Any info you can share? Thanks,

[juana828]

Thanks everyone. Still waiting to hear back from Doc since they have to get the med approved by insurance. I would imagine he'll start it in a week or so. He's really weak -  worse than ever. So hearing you all say how much it helps, makes me feel hopeful.

He's been undetectable for several weeks now, so we really want him to withstand the full 6 months of treatment. Controlling these issues, of course, will be key...

Thanks guys!

[burned74]

I used neulasta as well. No side effects. raised my neut level back up. Used it once a week but it worked so well I was able to cut it back

[newleaf09]

I used Neulasta, the pegylated form of filgrastim.  More expensive but supposed to hold your neuts up longer when they are getting stomped by the IFN (I have good insurance).  No side effect problems with it at all and it took my neut level from .640 to 12 overnight and kept me out of danger level for about 6 weeks.  Better than an interferon reduction if patient is responsive to it.

[orphanedhawk]

I hated the stuff. The injections hurt but worse was the bone aching which didn't happen until after using it for a few weeks.
I was on it for 3 months, twice weekly injections.

Do  all  you can to help to keep his bones healthy, i.e keep his calcium levels up as well as Vitamin D.
  
Maybe he'll be lucky and have no problems.

[FlGuy]

Several people here have used it. Actually, what gets whacked is a component of the WBC call neutrophils - sometime referred absolute neutrophils or ANCs.  These are a separate line item on a CBC report.  Docs invoke the use of Neupogen at at different levels.  I found the use of Neup to be a non-event, no side effects.  Others expereince bone pain and injection site soreness.  It's much better to use Neupogen than to reduce the dose of the Peg.  The stuff works quick, within a couple of days.  If he needs it once, he'll probably need it on a continuing basis during treament.  There are basically two ways to get the Neup, get a prescription and self inject (like Peg) or have it administered, usually under the care of a hemotologist