For the first time

[Vanessa]

I was unable to do chemo yesterday, because my white blood cell count was low. I just had my herceptin, got a neuprogen shot and then when back today and got another shot. What makes your white cell count go down?

[sassy]

What is your chemo? Most likely that is the culprit.

[Vanessa]

My chemo is abraxane along with Herceptin. I do the abraxane, 3 weeks on and 1 week off. I also take 3 Tykerbs nightly.

[Joanne S]

Vanessa, Sure hope you're feeling better since you got the shots. http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/11/11_4_126v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS)
Don't worry having low white blood counts is normal side effect of chemo.

Abraxane, a formulation of paclitaxel that belongs to a class of chemotherapy drugs called taxanes (Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel) and Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel) are the most widely known).

Taxanes are powerful drugs that can stop cancer cells from repairing themselves and from making new cells. Unfortunately taxanes cause serious side effects, like low white blood cell counts (neutropenia), weakness, neuropathy, and skin sensitivity...

More info: http://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/recur_metast/new_research/022405.jsp

While Herceptin blocks the protein on the cancer cell's surface, Tykerb blocks the protein inside the cell. Because it uses a different mechanism to work, Tykerb may be effective against HER2-positive cancers that may have stopped responding to Herceptin. Tykerb does not seem to cause the serious heart problems that are associated with Herceptin. The most commonly reported side effects from taking Tykerb with Xeloda are diarrhea, redness and tingling in the hands and feet, and a rash.

More info: http://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/targeted_therapies/lapatinib_tykerb.jsp


Sending my best wellness wishes to you!

[Joanne S]

Vanessa,

Just curious about your combinations. Isn't Tykerb usually taken with Xeloda ? I thought Tykerb was given instead of Herceptin, not both the same time? Sounds like you getting a double HER2 banger.

[Vanessa]

I am getting a double whammy. My doctor kept me on Abraxane, because it was doning well for me. I think when it loses its fizzle, she will switch me to Xeloda, but I am hoping for a break from chemo, after this round of tests. I think also my doctor likes to use both Herceptin and Tykerb, because Herceptin hits the outside of the cell and Tykerb hits the inside. I think that is how it goes. Oh yea, I see where you said that in your first post. I am hoping to get a good report tomorrow when I see the doctor. I will post the results.

[Joanne S]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_29_107v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk788MNUS) Hope you get a good report tomorrow!

Hugs, Jo

[tousled1]

Vanessa,

It's a side effect of chemo that is making your counts low. When I was getting Herceptin/Taxol/Carboplatin it was not unusual for me to miss a treatment due to low counts. My platlets also dropped so low I could not get chemo. I'm now trying the Herceptin/Taxol to see if that will be any better at keeping my counts up.

[DonnaD]

Hi Vanessa,
Postive thoughts and prayers are with you today.

I had to have Neulasta with each chemo after my third round of A/C and through out Taxol. Many experience this side effect of chemo.

Praying real hard for you.
Donna

[TSund]

Vanessa,

You might want to ask your onc if you could try the astragalus and reishi; they seemed to help Ruth's counts quite a bit. There were others here who told me about this combo.

TRS

[Jean]

Vanessa,
First of all I want to wish you all the best with your treatments.
I too had to have the shot when once my counts went down.
The shot put my white cell count back on track and I hope the same for you.

I was interested in reading that you are having herceptin/and/Tykerb
together...do you know if anyone else on our site has had this treatment?
What a double whammy....sounds ideal...please keep us updated and
I am glad you are whacking those cells inside and out...

God Bless,
Jean

[Believe51]

I will be praying for your counts to come back so you can continue to fight without this to combat too. Keep strong My Warrior and things should fall together soon so you can move on to kicking some cancer-butt>>Believe51

[Bill]

Vanessa, you're in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure you'll get those counts back up. In answer to a few questions in this thread, when Nicola was dx'ed in late 2005, they put her on Taxol, Herceptin, and the clinical study of Lapatinib(Tykerb). She was on that combo. for about 15 months, I think, and did well. Love, Bill

[Jean]

Thanks Bill, you are such a dear! Really you are...
I had not heard before reading this thread of the combo herceptin/Tykerb.
Love learning new things each day.

Hey Bill if you keep this up we will just have to nominate you as our man!
Hugs,
Jean

[Becky]

Vanessa

I am sure at this point your counts are beginning to climb. Make sure you are careful about being around sick people - the flu is raging in
TX now! Also, watch out for raw fruits and veggies as well as fresh flowers and plants. All have bacteria that don't harm us in normal situations but can give infections when your counts are low.

Love and hugs to you.

[Joan M]

Vanessa,

I too had low white cell counts during my chemo treatments and had a lot of Neupogen shots. My counts were worse on A/C than on Taxol and Herceptin. When I was on Taxol and Herceptin, I would give myself one shot each week, and that seemed to keep up the cell count.

I didn't have a lot of problem with my red cell counts and had only a few shots of Procrit during my treatment.

Joan