Filigastrim and high white blood cell county

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Hi there,

I wonder if anyone has had a similar experience to mine  after having completed a 7 day course of filigastrim post docetaxil and herceptin..

Last week I had an inflamed vein post treatment and a low grade pyrexia off and on. I was commenced on antibiotics for this. The vein remained inflamed and my temperature began to rise ( but not above 37.5) and  so I contacted the cancer care line on Thursday but was told I didn't need bloods but to monitor temperature and get back in touch if it went higher. Fortunately it settled and I finished the filigastrim in the mean time. Yesterday I had a sore throat off and on and today it became more painful with uncomfortable and slightly swollen glands under my chin, After contacting the cancer care line I was directed to A&E where I received lovely care. Having had blood taken and had an examination, which didn't really show very much, I was given a different antibiotic but was also told that my white cell count was higher than they would have expected it to be and they  weren't entirely sure why. I accepted that at the time but since getting home, am now really alarmed and frightened that I have filigastrim induced leukaemia.!!!

Thank you .

  • Hi WMK 

    I had an episode of too high white cell count caused by filstgram injection I had had chemo as normal and was given my 5day course of injections to do from day 3 by day day 6 I was feeling dizzy and wobbly legged but as I have suffered from low HP many times wasn't that worried just expected that I would have to have a blood transfusion had my bloods done on day 6 only to get a phone call 2hours later to tell me to stop taking injection immediately as my white count was through the roof I felt unwell with the shaky weak feeling for probably a week afterwards but I didn't have a temperature or need antibiotics and have been fine since well as fine as you can be on chemo ! But they haven't given me the injection since it maybe that you had an infection on top of white cell overload and once everything is sorted will feel better I would talk to your consultant if you are really worried hope this helps sending hugs xxxD 

  • Hi Kentish Maid,

    Thank you so much for your reply. You have made me feel very much better.

    I, like you, was feeling very wobbly and light headed but put much of it down to the chemo. It is so hard to know what side effects you need to report!!

     I will get hold of the Chemo Nurse this morning to see if further investigations are required.

    Thank you again and wishing you all the very best with your treatment.

    Sending hugs to you too. xxx

  • I was admitted with a temperature during chemo and my white cell.count was 450 due to filgrastim (normal 4 to 11). The medics wouldn't accept that it was due to the filgrastim was but onco said it was and wasn't that unusual after filigrastim.  It soon came down again by the time of the next chemo. It won't be due to leukaemia. Mine has been normal since finishing chemo.

    Xxx

  • Thank you for your reassuring reply Bobbiboo.

    I contacted my breast care team today who said the same, that my levels were perfectly normal for where I was post filgastrim treatment. I hope that everything is going well for you as you have now finished your chemo and thank you once again.