navelbine and blood count shots

brittd01 · 09-22-2005, 11:05 AM

Hello!

I have a question for navelbine veterans that had to receive shots to keep up their blood counts. My Mom is on navelbine/herceptin weekly and zometa once a month. She could not have her navelbine today b/c of low blood counts. The nurses said that her onc did not want to lower the dosage. Also, they said they cannot give her the shots b/c she's having weekly treatments as opposed to once a month. What was your treatment schedule for those of you who did receive blood boosting shots?

Thank you!
Brittany

Becky · 09-22-2005, 12:20 PM

I got the shots and treatments were 2 weeks apart with the shots starting 24 hours after chemotherapy going for 10 days in a row.

Warm regards

Becky

al from Canada · 09-22-2005, 01:47 PM

Hi Brittany,
Last year, Linda was on Hercetin every 3 weeks and navelbine every 2 weeks with neupogen support. She had the navelbine on a wednesday, started the neupogen on the following wednesday and had anywhere between 5 and 7 shots. The last shot couldn't be within 24 hours of the next treatment.
usually 5 shots were enough to get her counts up.
Regards,
Al

StephN · 09-22-2005, 02:16 PM

I also had Navelbine, but it was weekly and also with Taxol and Herceptin each week. I gave myself Neupogen white blood cell booster shots almost daily. They did not yet have the long-acting version.

Seems to me your Mom should be able to get the Neupogen or Neulasta version. Maybe they are trying to cut costs with her, but you should insist that your Mom be treated with every type of support so she can stay on her treatment schedule.

Lolly · 09-22-2005, 09:51 PM

I had Navelbine/Herceptin weekly for six months last spring. About half-way through the regimen, I had to start weekly shots of Aranesp for anemia; the shot was given either before or after my Navelbine/Herceptin. When my white counts were too low, my onc would order the Navelbine dose cut in half. In this way I was able to pretty much stay on treatment, and had a good response.

al from Canada · 09-23-2005, 12:06 AM

Hi Lolly,

I would try to keep the Aranesp for emergencies only is it powerful stuff and has been known to blunt the effectiveness of some chemos. I'm not sure about navelbine. Get checked for iron on your next CBC. Also, some of the chinese mushrooms have been effective, as do adaptogens such as rhodiola; but stay away from ginsen.

Take care,
Al

Lolly · 09-23-2005, 08:16 PM

Thanks Al; My onc must agree with you, as my Hemoglobin was down to 7 before we decided to start Arenesp. It was either that or a blood transfusion, he let me choose, and I decided to take Arenesp. My counts improved to around 9 as long as I kept up the Arenesp. I was so exhausted before that, it was a great relief to have some energy again. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep the counts up myself this time, I'll be very proactive on the natural blood builders