Neutrophils- 620

[lmr28]

I am on Day #2, Week #7.  My HGB and WBC counts just keep dropping.  I am back on weekly CBC's.  My regular nurse is out this week, so I have the very limited info her sub gave me yesterday- neutrophils down from just over 1100 to 620.  They want me back on Friday to evaluate CBCs and make decisions on "helper" drugs.  I should get copies of everything in the mail today and will then know more...
ANY suggestions. input, ideas?  What can I do on my own?????
Is it WBC that the neutrophils are representing?  I know we've been all through this, but I can't remember anything these days and have no energy to search for posts.
I did begin a broad spectrum antibiotic from my reg doc- yesterday.  My glands are very swollen, sore throat, congestion beginning.  One of my students had strep last week, so we are being pro-active with the antibiotics.  
The other issue is that my headaches are often blinding.  I am doing propranolol 2xday.  10 mg each.  NOTHING.  The PA will NOT give me anything else.  (I just advised someone else to switch doc's in this case, but here I am!)

I am going to part-time at work.  Very hard decision for me.  I have a tough classroom and things spiral when I am away, but my poor body is just suffering so, so much.
anyone?  any advice?
Hope everyone else is well, well, well!!!!
XO,
~l.

[frijole]

I took neupogen for about 48 of my 56 weeks of treatment.  Sounds like you need to start, particularly with you being in the teaching field.  I was fortunate to use a hemotologist too and got weekly CBC's to determine when /if to take both the PRocrit (for the red blood cells) and Neupogen (for the whites).

As FL says (hi, FL) neutrophils are one of the types of white blood cells.  They are heavy hitter infection fighters, and when their ranks are down you may need an outside boost.  I started the Neup when my ANC reached the 400s.  However, the hemodoc would have loved me to start earlier and try to keep the ANC at 1200.  However, that was impossible.   Even with the Neup I stayed in the 600-750 range.  Still I was pretty infection free throughout treatment.  

YOu ask what you can do on your own and there is no good answer.  I have heard that Wheatgrass might help, but, frankly, you are fighting a pretty wicked WBC killer, and I don't think you can do it with herbs.  The Neup is not all that bad. I mean, no one wants to pony up for another shot a week, but it is what it is.

Good luck, frijole

[Deb_c430]

Your lucky flguy,  they are produced in your big bones and when they go low, they ache badly, I had neck pain  shoulder, legs,  the bones start working  hard to reproduce and the ache is awful, as it was for me with neupogen for the same reasons. .

I have the most severe side effects from the neupogen. Bones ache, they cut me back a few weeks ago and it has been such a relief to me!  

I am not on peg, i am on infergen,    what ever the cause i so do not like it!    

[FlGuy]

There are 5 main types cells that make up WBC; neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. On tx, the doc focus more to neutrophils.  Some docs have the point of intervention as about 300, 500 or 1000 - depends on the doc.  The remedy is Neupogen (aka filgrastin) which encourages the production.  The stuff usually works pretty fast, in a couple of days.  Thing is, what goes up is likely to come down again. I never noticed and physical effects of low neutrophils.  Most of the feeling poorly is likekly from coming down with something or possibly the onset of anemia which is brought to you by the riba.  The lowering of the wbc's - neutrophils is usually attributed to the Peg.

[Deb_c430]

The headaches and body soreness is from   your wbc not producing enough.

It takes a while for your body to adjust to all this,  I have had very low CBCs since i started,  infact I have Doc apt today.

I know he is going to increase my neupogen again and I detest it!  

I am at
10.4, hemoglobin
32.9  hematocrit  
RBC 2.92
WBC 2.1
1.2 Absolute Neutros

So I am pretty sure he is going to increase neupogen today, which I hate!  

Funny enough I actually felt better this week!  

Hang in there! I think as hard as it is to adjust work schedule, you have done the right thing,  It is an added stress that you feel to do the best job you can, when sometimes it is an effort to get out of bed!

My Opinion is your doing the best for the kids by slowing down, and it is time to think about you!  

Best!

Deb