Low white sells issue

I am on the pegasys/copegus treatment (12 out of 24 weeks) So far so good, side effects are mostly tiredness, no depression/agression. However this treatment made me look not only at clearing my body, but clearing my life too. I have made some changes, i was only dreaming of in the last 4 years- an totally happy. I believe we must make happiness a state of mind, especially during these tough times.
My only problem- white cells count drops too low- today even had to leave work, kept near fainting. Anyone knows any tricks to fight this?

[Trinity4]

Neupogen is given for low white blood cells.  It is injected usually once a week I think.  It helps raise your levels.  Has your doctor mentioned putting you on it?  What are your numbers?  If your levels haven't dropped low enough yet he will not prescribe but it's something to keep in mind.  Mine dropped the 7th week and I had to reduce my peg dosage.  They came back up so no rescue drugs for me yet.  Good luck and I hope you feel better.
Trinity  

[nerja2007]

My white cells are dropping- they made me do all these xtra blood tests to keep an eye... I lost a lot of weight since I started- I am 45kg (101) pounds and I am on 180mg Peg, maybe it is too much for my weight... I have an appointment on Thursday- will ask. The problem also that I changed jobs and moved to a different city since my treatment started, but still have to go back to the same hospital every time I need anything- such a pain!!!

[copyman]

hi, sorry you are feeling bad. are you sure it is your white blood count that is down? the reason i ask is you said that you felt faint and that is usually from HGB (red blood count) being low. unless both counts are low and these harsh drugs can lower both. hope you feel better soon

[nerja2007]

Hi Copyman
Yeah, maybe they were red cells as well. Hard to say, when you don't really know. I thi the docs were more concerned about the white ones. Also noticed before the storms I feel horrific- maybe it is the blood pressure plus all the drops.
I wonder when do you actually go to the hospital- I tend to suffer proudly at home and seek help in emergencies only ( thankfully, so far none of them)

[nerja2007]

It is a hard treatment, I know. I am 32, genotype 3 very low viral count ( basically bordering on too low to treat) . only now I appreciate how fit and healthy I normally am. And I am looking forward to the end of it all, to feel full of energy again.
Tiredness is a big one, although a lot of sleep works. Hair falls out like mad- however it was a great excuse to get a nice short haircut (my husband resisted it for years, but now he is in love with my new look- we are having a second honeymoon :-) lso I lost all little lumps of fat I could pick on me ( I was 52kg-114lb)- I look great and this keeps me motivated Itching, headaches, sleepless nights will pass .

Maybe I am an unforgivabble optimist, but I always look at the fun side of life, otherwise I suppose I'dbe on all other drugs (illegal ones) together. I hope there are people out there who will join me in the faith for the better, no matter how tough it is now. These are SIDE EFFECTS, we are not sick indefinitely. There is the end, it is just around the corner. I treated myself with a lovely holiday in Mallorka for a week on the last week of this treatment- that keeps me going!!!

[Trish77]

Nerja, I wonder same as copyman.  You usually don't feel anything when your white blood cell counts drop...they simply drop.  Your red blood cells however, when they drop, the oxygen in your blood drops and that's where some of the fatigue comes from.  You have to modify your activity when your red blood cells are too low and preserve your energy for the important things.

You might want to ask your doctor about your levels for each - your ANC for your white blood cells and your HGB - hemoglobin - for your red blood cells.  

You've lost alot of weight since you started, so your ribavirin - which impacts your red blood cells - rather than your interferon might be higher than you need.  However, if you're tolerating well, I would only reduce it if your side effects warrant it.  Talk to your doctor about this.

Trish

[joemc34606]

im am om dailly infergen and my white and red blood count dropped very low. they say the white has no systoms but the red will wear you out. last week i started on neupegen, when you first take the shot do it in the evening and go to bed because it cause body aches and fatigue, like you need anymore, but 2 days later i felt much better. we are gonna try every two weeks with neupegen and see what happens
good luck
joemc

[dolphinswims]

I suggest you stop working if possible.  Take it easy and allow your bone marrow to make more blood cells.  Visulize on the large bones of your body...visulize the bone marrow making cells.  Do this lying down flat in a peaceful mood.
I find lying down flat at least twice a day for one hour or more is helping my body maintain a slightly below normal but acceptable white, red and platlete counts. However, every week is a new side effect.
EAt food rich in iron and B12.  Lots of protein six times a day.
Good luck.
Elizabeth

[Trinity4]

Hello dolphinswims,

This is old thread and I'm sure nerja has completed her treatment by now.

When someone is undergoing antiviral treatment with interferon and ribavirin low whites are a common side effect.  Lying down peacefully and visualizing the bone marrow making cells does not work for most.  Nice concept and it is probably very helpful along the lines of calming and refreshing the psyce but it doesn't do much in the way of white cell production.  The ANC fluctuates and can be very low on one CBC and the the next week it rebounds.  Once a person treating experiences low ANC with no rebound the only effective treatment is the helper drug called Neupogen.  Without it they would not be able to continue treatment.

Stopping work is not an option for many which is why it is beneficial to have helper drugs like Procrit and Neupogen.

I'm glad meditation is working for you but it is not recommended therapy for raising the red and white cells.

Good luck with your treatment
Trinity