Nuepogen

[Cohomojo]

Just got a call from my doctor and she's saying that my WBC has dropped from 4.2 to 1.3 and my Absolute Neutrophils has dropped from 4.6 to 0.7.  They are now going to put me on Neupogen cause of low white blood count. I am on triple therapy and take the 8th peg shot tomorrow night.  Wondering if anyone else has experienced as far as sides go with the Neupogen.Thanks

[HTBandMOM]

Sorry it's been a while since I logged onto this thread.
Yes, she has Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and each succeeding treatment, her white count has dropped. The first time it bottomed out at 50 and the next at 200. Will have next one on Monday. Hopefully, this one will be better. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

[orphanedhawk]

Does your mom have hep C ?
I know my reply was specific to those experiencing low wbc from interferon tx.

If it is for lymphoma, then that really is a different ball game, not one most of us here are experienced with.

In any event, wishing her a speedy recovery.

[HTBandMOM]

Thank you! She is still in hospital...13 days now... the white count finally started to climb on Sunday and is now at 3.7, finally. They have continued the Nupogen daily. Still no pain from Nupogen with Claritin. A bit unusual to carry on this long from what I've read. She is still running fever and they cannot find a reason for it yet. So, not allowed to come home yet as well.

[crigger]

HT band....   Claritin for bone pain that's interesting. You say it help your mom . I hope everything goes well for your MOM

[HTBandMOM]

My Mom is in hospital and after completing CHOP for Lymphoma, she is also receiving daily Nupogen shots for 5 days. WBC is at .01 (that's 100 not 1000) on the 4th day. They say it drops lower after chemo before it will climb. Still praying. Anyway, one of the chemo nurses said that Claritin helps with the bone pain from the Nupogen. She has been on it since the start and hasn't had any pain. Now looking at a possible platelet transfusion tomorrow.

[Cohomojo]

Thanks for the info.  I go see the doctor this afternoon and I'm pretty sure she's gonna have me start Neupogen.  I'll definitely ask about the Vitamin D and Calcium.

[willbb]

Agree cando..

According to many studies done  Neupogen is very over-prescribed in HCV therapy.


http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Some-clarification-if-someone-knows-or-doctor-has-explained/show/1656098?personal_page_id=1837989

[can-do-man]

It amazes me how doctors jump at the chance to use neupogen when most of the times its not even needed. Yet drag their feet until a BT before the use of procrit.

[flcyclist]

My absolute neutrophil count (ANC) also took a drop around the 8 week period down to about 0.3 and have been on neupogen throughout trt.  I strongly agree with the posts above about the 0.5 threshold for neup, but some doctors will insist on 1.0.   My ANC responded quickly to the neup, but the interferon would cause it to crash again.  Like sandy, I experienced some minor achy bone pain, nothing major.  I'd rather do the neup than a Inf dose reduction, but that's something to discuss with your doctor if the need arises as the weeks progress.  Hope you have few sides during trt.

[sandysf]

My WBC went as low as 1.0 and my neutrophils were .4 consistently during my triple tx with Victrelis.  I did weekly neupogen shots during most of my treatment.  The first shot caused bone pain for a couple of days, but after that I experienced no real symptoms from the neupogen.  

[orphanedhawk]

Standard protocol is to use neupogen when anc drops to .5 or below.
My hepatologist goes by anc not wbc.
Neupogen can cause bone pain, and other forms of discomfort.

Make sure you're taking vit D and calcium.
These meds are hard on our bones.

[1oftheclub222]

My WBC are at 1.6 and Neutrophils are at .6, but my doc is still monitoring.  Will probably go for the Neupogen if I get below .5 for Neutrophils, or maybe below 1.0 for WBC.