wbc COUNTS DOWN

[Alice]

I just went in for my 3 month follow up today. Most things went well. I'm on 3 week herceptin and have 5 months left. I have been off chemo since Sept 05 my surgery was on 10/05 and I had rads thru 1/23/06. My wbc count at the time of surgery was 2.9 and now is down to 1.9. Has anyone had this happen ? If so what could it be ? I should get the rest of my blood results tomorrow.
Thanks, Alice

[jhandley]

Hi Alice

Reishi mushroom extract will up your wbc. There is also some evidence that the 1,3 beta,D glucan it contains ( among other things) helps herceptin work better.

Jackie

[Becky]

Maitake mushrooms will do the same for wbc and also has the beta glucan as well. Also, eat foods higher in zinc (whole grains and wheat germ) as that is helpful. But... don't take a zinc supplement as it is too much zinc and zinc can be harmful for the prostagladin cascade.


Gina has recommended in the past to put zinc oxide ointment (Desitin) on your feet at night with socks. Apparently the zinc is absorbed by the skin. I tried this when I was low and it really works - quite well in fact. My wbc was up and my lymphs (lymphocytes) were up.

Kind regards

Becky

[tousled1]

You could ask your oncologist for a shot of Neulasta. I get neulasta the day after chemo and it has helped keep my wbc up.

[Barbara]

Alice:

I have been on Herceptin alone for 20 months and I have both low White and Red cell counts. Aproximatley 2-3% of patients on Herceptin monotherpy will experience low counts. I seem to have done OK with the low couns although my oncologist has twice ordered Aranesp for my low Red Cell Count. I have refused Aranesp as there are a couple of studies that seem to indicate that red cell stimulants may contribute to the progression of cancer. As long as the number of neutrophils (in WBC) stay above 1000, my oncologist does not order Nuelasta. Hope this helps.

Barbara

[Barbara]

Alice:

I have been on Herceptin alone for 20 months and I have both low White and Red cell counts. Aproximatley 2-3% of patients on Herceptin monotherpy will experience low counts. I seem to have done OK with the low couns although my oncologist has twice ordered Aranesp for my low Red Cell Count. I have refused Aranesp as there are a couple of studies that seem to indicate that red cell stimulants may contribute to the progression of cancer. As long as the number of neutrophils (in WBC) stay above 1000, my oncologist does not order Nuelasta. Some oncolgist will use 1500 at the cut off. Hope this helps.

Barbara