Chemotherapy

Hi JDTb698a5 unfortunately there does not seem to be a natural way to increase your neutrophils - mine was always low to borderline but then my surgeon said it was before I started so I tended to get away with it - in fact it’s still low now 9 years later! Would they consider giving you filgrastim injections? 

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/bowel-colon-rectum-cancer-forum/f/new-here-say-hello/292471/capox-cancelled-again/2140257

Hi, thanks for the reply. Yes they have given me the injections to do 3 days after each session, but they haven't helped for the last 2. I have had fairly low Neutrophils for the last few years due to having Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia, however that is in remission but does leave me vulnerable to the low neutrophils.  They did my last infusion at 1.4 but the last bloods Neutrophils were only 0.9. Bloods again tomorrow so fingers crossed. Just worrying that they might cancel the chemo and just panicking that whilst I am missing them the cancer will be getting worse. Struggling to stay positive this week. X

Hi,

I too had low neutrophil count, sometimes as low as 0.2, gave me Filgrastim which increased it up to 48 on one occasion!

my white cells are low as I have a condition called MDS which is basically a bone marrow disorder which inhibits the white cell production.

I was being treated for colon cancer and had many aborted chemo sessions initially as my neutrophils were below 1.0  which seemed to be the lowest allowable limit, it wasn’t until they started the Filgrastim that treatment could go on without delay  

I always found that it worked much better if the Filgrastim was prescribed 1-2 weeks before chemo as it always hit the floor after. 

I would discuss with them the possibility of having Filgrastim before the chemo to boost your neutrophils.  

Best of luck with the treatment