Low white blood cell count

Happy Thanksgiving All !!!

I completed shot #8 this past Friday.  My viral load at the beginning of treatment was 8+million.  At 4 week, my viral load had dropped to 7,000.  Great News !!  
However, my specialist told me today that they are concerned with the significant drop in my white blood cell count.  Prior to treatment I was at 4. - now I am at 1.  They drew blood again today, prior to making a decision on whether to put me on another weekly injection to increase my white blood cell counts.

I am looking for additional information from those of you who experienced a low white blood count and what types of medication were used to increase them?  Should I panic yet ?

[GoofyDad]

It's ANC (Absolute Neutrofil Count) that you're really interested in. The simple calc is ANC = WBC X Neutrofils X 10. Depending on the Doc, they will support ANC with Neupogen injections when ANC goes under 500 or so. Some docs will go lower - some not so low.

Apparently ANC can rebound on its own - so its nice your doc isn't reacting too quickly.

Neupogen works very fast 24-48 hours. Another sister drug is Neulasta - it's pegylated and last longer.  

I just switched from Neupogen 300 iu weekly to 200 iu 2x weekly.

There's lots about this in the archives from about 5-6 weeks ago. One last tip, while ANC is low - wash your hands a lot and stay away from obvious germ centers - like a day care center.

Good luck on your weekly CBC.

[Tonyz]

I am interupting this post to let you all know the results of my 12 month post PCR

Component Value Flag Low High Units Stat
HCV RNA Qual Fin Value:
HCV RNA, Qual, PCR <B>"Not detected"<B/>

Although I was fairly sure this is how the test would turn out, as my six moth PCR was also HCV RNA Not detected. I am experiencing a very nice natural high right now...one I hope all of you are able to experience..

I will pray that you all get the feeling I am enjoying now..So many of us have been fighting this thing together for so long.
I started my first treatment in June of 2001. I relapsed shortly after completion of TX.
The second TX had to be stopped due to unmanageable SX.
My 3rd TX started in June of 2004. I took my last injection 12-08-2004....I still have some Pegasus and Ribavirin in the refrigerator. I am thinking of burning them as a celebration.


I can't thank you all enough.

GOD is So GOOD

Blessings to you all

TonyZ

PS. My stats at the time of my first TX were. Geno-Type 2B. Stage 3 grade 2 Bx, with a Viral load of 7,000,000

[FlGuy]

Great news on you 3-log drop in VL - it's terrific progress.  You'll read that lots of folks here have had the need for WBC/ANCs intervention - it's faily common.  You can go to neulasta.com to get manufacturers info.  My experience is that I did not notice an sx from neupogen and slight sx from neulasta.  Make sure your doc keeps a close eye on HGB and plateletes too. Continued good luck to you.

[rearfang]

Tony,
That is really great news! You truly have a lot to be thankful for. Thanks for all your inspiration. God Bless you.
Lauren

[couldn't think of a nickname]

That is awesome, congratulations. Give yourself a "Congratulations" in big red letters!

[2irish]

Congratulations, Tony!  That is just the best news!  Enjoy your holidays this year flying high on that awesome feeling!!!

[LvdByGod]

TONY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY EXCEPT I WAS SOOOO WORRIED...I AM FEELING THAT JOY FOR YOU IN A MAJOR WAY...WHAT A LOAD OFF! OH MY GOSH!!!

CONGRADULATIONS...WOW!

GOD'S BLESSING TO YOU TOO, NOW YOU CAN RELAX...SOOO GOOD!

THANK YOU JESUS!

[friole]

hepcn - wow, that is a wonderful drop.You are doing significant damage to those nasty virons.  My WBC started at 5 and dropped into the 1's .  Like Goof said, the ANC (absolute neutriphils) are the numbers to watch - The Neutriphils are the primary type of white blood cell that fight infection and if they drop too low, your resistance to infection is diminished.  Mine dropped to 400 about week 15 and I started Neupogen injections every 2 weeks (300cb). My ANC is hoovering at 800-1100 now (at week 19).  I have not experienced any side effects from the Neupogen and think it is a good safeguard, especially now coming on winter.  Post your ANC from today and pre treatment, if you can.  How is you hemoglobin doing?  {Post that too (HGB))


Tony --

     ------------------HOORAY-------------------
Did you pass out from holding your breath?  I would be so anxious waiting for those results.  You certainly put in your time and I am so glad you are one year out and clear

Kathy

[cuteus]

SAy it! I WAS a 2b!  it is over, finally, you won that battle! You can worry about other things from now on, because this one is history! Have a great Holiday tomorrow with your family and friends.

[nanniegea]

   CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That has to be the best news anyone could get. Sorry it took so long in coming but you MADE it and that's what counts.

[Chriskid]

A question on anemia diagnosis:

Called my GI

[strator]

What a Thanksgiving gift! God IS so Good! What a personal joy you must be feeling, to know that you did your part to earn this gift. Thank you for sharing the natural high with us.
May you be blessed and graced to receive the gift well.
Virus free. Free to live!
Don

[dutch_boy]

It has been so long since I've posted as my sides have been quite overwhelming for some time now (terribly low blood counts).....but when I saw your post I HAD TO WRITE!  Congratulations!!!!  I am so happpy for you and this burden has been lifted from you.  Just knowing your 12 month PCR post tx came out negative is like having your life back.  So many of us here hope to achieve the same wonderful news someday and this is truly the best medicine...encouragement and hope.
My best to you and enjoy life to it's fullest.  
Scott

[Moniker]

When I started treatment, I had to lower my Pegasys dose because of low white blood cell counts. I had to go one week with no Pegasys. My nurse said I should stay away from people with colds, stay away from little kids, and I should wash my hands a lot. The doctor said that if I got a cold, I'd have to check into the hospital. I had little cuts on my hands which wouldn't heal very well, and I had sores in my nose.

Then I got a new doctor who put me on Neupogen. I take one shot a week. I take Neupogen on Tuesdays and Pegasys on Thursdays. I think it is best not to take them on the same day. Neupogen has worked very well for me; my WBC is normal now. The little cuts on my hands have healed, my nose if fine. I can now take the full Pegasys dose. It seems to me that Neupogen is a good choice. There shouldn't be any reason to panic because of low WBC.

[Tallblonde]

I'm thrilled about your news.  I know it's been such a long, long road, with lots of bumps along the way. What a relief to finally reach this point!  Congratulations and best wishes for continued good health and much happiness.  You have a lot to be thankful for today!

Susan

[jmjm530]

Congratulations! That's more than a little extra gravy for your Thanksgiving turkey!

Not sure if you're serious about burning your meds (although understandable :) ) but Friole, one of our members, recently posted that she ruined a dose of Pegasys by leaving it out of the fridge too long on a trip. (See thread down a bit  "Hot Peg".)

Anyway, thought you two might hook up and you could get some peg to her or her doctor. You might also think about giving the rest back to your treating doctor for others who may run short or have insurance problems.

Thanks for sharing your success story and have a great Thanksgiving  holiday.

-- Jim

[vegas777]

Good morning Jim and Happy Thanksgiving to you!

I'm on my way out the door to go get my second series of Twinrex and I have to shovel myself out!!!  grrrrrrrrrrrr...Dang snow!

Have a great day....

*chilly dip*

[beamishboy]

shovelin snow-delightful duty.......i am wicked tired most days(anemia?will find out inna couple days) and lookin forward to any kind of work-out...did manage to bake an apple pie for todays festivitys& so lookin forward to a goodtime w/ everyone dear to me...i hope you all enjoy this day-CELEBRATE!!!