I've had 3 surgeries for breast cancer. Lymph nodes were 8 out of 12 positive but the last 3 were microscopic. Can Neupogen be used in place of Taxol? I've read that Neupogen attackes the cancer cells more with better results. Whn my cells were tested they found that the good cells were really attacking the bad ones. I'm just afraid that reg chemo will mess this all up and I won't have anymore good cells to help fight.
What is the best thin to do?
Generally, Inteferon affects the white cells (Neupogen is used) and Ribavirin affects the hemoglobin (Mircera is used). Once treatment ends and the drugs are out of her system the blood counts should go back to where they were before treatment. Ribavirin lasts a little longer in the system (a few weeks) than Interferon (a week or two). So, shortly after treatment end she will probably not need those two. The more curious is the platelet level.
After my first injection and at my first appt after that injection, my PA said my labs were really crazy and gave me an injection of Neupogen and a prescription for it. I have only 9 shots left and have been taking the Neupogen 3 times a week for the entire tx. They almost took me to 4 times a week. Even with 3 weekly injections of Neopogen my WBC and ANC's are still low. I guess without the Neupogen they would be non-existent.
So the doc finally agreed to a neupogen shot, after many delayed shots of pegasys. I was supposed to do a shot tuesday, however got bloodwork done today and anc is 620, Doc says to take neupogen tonight (I did, the neupogen is 300mcg, im ~130lbs) and get more bloodwork done on thursday, and then he'll call friday with whether or not to take the shot or not. So here I am, waiting, again. Arggg!
Next time I try treatment I'm going to suggest to my doctor to prescribe neupogen and procrit before I start to get the counts up. Mine have always dropped into the low range. I found especially the neupogen made me feel rough after I was already well into treatment and didn't do a whole lot. Why don't doctors prescribe it before treatment? Would there be a downside to that?
low blood count started neupogen injections to build up white blood cell count so I can have chemotherapy, can I drink beer with this?
Neupogen is tough. Ask your treating doc if you can stop. I would imagine if your ANC is not terribly low (below 200) you could stop.
Congratulations on being UND since week 4...that is a huge success! As far as your white blood cell count, is the injection that your doctor is giving you Neupogen? When the white count goes low to a certain point, the options are to reduce the treatment meds (which you don't want to have to do) or add an injection (Neupogen). If Neupogen is what your doc is giving you, then you are on the right track.
Doctor says no interferon on my regular injection day. I am now on Neupogen to try and bring my ANC back up to over 1000 so I can go back on full dosage in a few days.
Since all this happened with the first 3 shots the doctor does not think I have a good chance to make it through 24 weeks, but taking week week to week. Just wondering if anyone else has had a similar situation and what was the outcome ??
Hi Jim,
Thank you for your very thoughtful and comprehensive response. No, it does not surprise me to read your answer. I'm just grateful to have your response. I agree that the ANC level does not require an interferon reduction. Where you and I always "wrestle" on this one is that I want you to understand that not even my doctors have a choice on this one as it's the trial requirements. So therefore, my choice is to submit to the trial requirement or to get off the trial.
Thanks. Did neupogen shot Wednesday nite and interferon shot Friday . Now it's Saturday morning and I feel off, but nothing like the neupogen side effects. So on with treatment and clearing this virus!!!!! Thank you all for posts.....
i started neupogen since my 4th week and went 48 weeks. still need neupogen occasionally even 6 months post treatment how. i would recommend seeing a hematologist. mine has been wonderful. he says he's not so worried about using neupogen as "holy water" but if you are on procrit, he would be a little concerned. neupogen really helped me stay on treatment so i could finish 48 weeks.
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