Hi Marie,
I had Aranesp during one of my 6 month regimen's with Navelbine when my Hemoglobin dropped below 9. My onc is very cautious with it, and I only got an injection every other week, and I was told it my HGB came up to 12 he would stop the Aranesp as the danger is in continuing it in the presence of normal counts. At least that's my understanding.
I only had to have Neulasta once, but I know there are several others here who had to receive regular injections of both white and red cell boosters in order to get through treatment.
I think caution is the key word with these drugs, but when they're needed in order to stay on schedule with treatment, they are warranted.
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Sept.'99 - Dx.Stage IIIB, IDC ER/PR-, HER2+++ by IHC, confirmed '04 by FISH. Left MRM, AC x's 4, Taxol x's 4, 33 Rads, finishing Tx May 2000. Jan.'01 - local/regional recurrence, Stage IV. Herceptin/Navelbine weekly till NED August 2001, then maintenance Herceptin. Right Mast. April 2002. Local/Regional recurrence April '04, Herceptin plus/minus chemo until May '07. Gemzar added from Feb.'07-April '07; Tykerb/Abraxane until August '07, back on Herceptin plus Taxotere and Xeloda Sept. '07. Stopped T/X Nov. '07, stopped Herceptin Dec. '07, started Avastin/Taxol/Carboplatin Dec. '07. Progression in chest skin, stopped TAC March '03, started radiation.
Herceptin has served as the "Backbone" of my treatment strategy for over 6 years, giving me great quality of life. In 2005, I was privileged to participate in the University of Washington/Seattle HER2 Vaccine Trial.
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