Gemzar is tough on that WBC

[Lisa]

Last week I started on Gemzar along with my current Herceptin and Zometa. Went back this a.m. for round two and my white blood counts were too low. So I had my Herceptin and was on my way. I was surprised to find out that Gemzar can affect the WBC this soon. Anybody else have this issue?

I'm going to load up on Astragalus this week and see if it helps.

Love and light,

Lisa

[Brittany]

Hi Lisa! I hope you get those counts up! I will be thinking about you.

Brittany

[Barbara H.]

Hi Lisa,
I know someone who is taking Genzar. I looked it up and that is a common side effect. Can't you ask for the medication to boost your counts? I had to take it all through my chemo.
Thinking of youi.
Best wishes,
Barbara H.

[Lisa]

Back when I was on Navelbine, if my counts got too low, my onc would give me Neulasta. But when I asked his Nurse Practitioner about it today, she said he is no longer big on doing that since it causes the body to "artificialy" raise the counts.

We shall see...

Love and light,

Lisa

[Lolly]

Lisa, my onc must feel the same way 'cause whenever my white counts have gotten too low on chemo, I either get 1/2 a dose or none....then by the next week I would be "ok" for either a half or whole. I don't like to do things by half measure but it did get the job done!

<3,
Lolly

[eric]

Hi Lisa,

Caryn had low counts as wel from Gemzar but the Neupogen did seem to help, although I guess I can't know for sure if the #'s were misleading.

Best of luck,
Eric

[StephN]

Hi Lisa -
Without Neupogen I would have never made it - would not have been able to stay on my trial with Taxol and Navelbine.
We KNOW it raises the counts "artificially" but that is the point - your whole system is taking a beating and this is a LIFESAVING measure.

I did not get Neulasta - had to do the nightly shots then, but it was worth staying on the trial to get to where I am today ...

My bloods stabilized on their own and are quite normal these days. You may be able to still get the drug, but not in a dose that will do the job. Consider asking either for the old version of Neupogen if theystill make it or the Neulasta so you do a little more than drag your way through this round.

All best wishes. You know you can eat things to help your red counts, but that is a different story for the white cells.

[Barbara H.]

Hi Lisa,
When I had the first round of AC in 98 my neutrophils were down to 300. I was so sick I didn't think I would make it. I was in the hospital for three days with IV antibiotics, and my counts finally rose back on their own and I reccovereed. My oncologist then prescibed neupogen after that for the rest of AC and Taxol. It allowed me to stay healthy enough to have the rest of my chemo and to teach third grade. I don't think I could have taken another round of Chemo without it. It may artificially raise white blood cells but it kept me going. If and when I go on heavy duty chemo again, I will request it up front. I felt so awful that time (the worse sore throat, couldn't swallow at all, rapid heart beat, and high fever)
Good luck,Lisa!!!! I want you to be better soon for your granddaughter. I would call around and get more information about these drugs before I took no for an answer. I am going to ask my oncologist about this the next time I see him. He is at the Dana Farber.
Best wishes and have a good weekend.
Barbara H.

[Brian]

Dear Lisa:

My wife, Lisa, is currently on Gemzar and had 6 months of treatment two years ago. On both occasions she suffered low white blood cell counts. On the first occasion they gave her neulasta and simply reduced her dose of Gemzar when her counts were low.

Currently, they are giving her a new drug called Aranesp (not sure of the spelling). During this term of Gemzar this drug has kept her counts good throughout the term of the treatment.

Good luck and God Bless!

Brian