i don't want to be on neupogen

only on my 3rd shot and got a call from the pharmacy about when to deliver neupogen.  i wasn't even aware of my drop in white cells until i called the clinic.  my doc told me to go in for another lab tomorrow and if wbc stops dropping then i can postpone the neupogen.

is this really early for neupogen?  and will neupogen cause/ increase risk of leukemia?

man, i wasn't aware tx would be so much work.  i really hope the wbc would stop dropping.

[orphanedhawk]

I hated neupogen. My advice is to stay off it as long as possible. Good luck.

[nygirl7]

It's impossible for anyone here to tell you whether you need be on it or not since we don't have any idea what your labs look like however if you do need it - it's much preferable to a dose reduction in your meds that could harm your chances of success.

Treatment is no fun and you just gotta do what you gotta do.  Doesn't mean you have to like it though - I sure didn't but if you want to get SVR you just gotta take the cards you are dealt and do the best you can.

Have a talk with your doctor and find out where you stand.  My doc personally told me to wait and see if they would go back up and they did. The hemo no but the WBCs yes...so it really depends how low you are.

Good luck.

[Trinity4]

Apparently your ANC has dropped low enough that your doctor wants to start you on Neup.  If your white count doesn't come up enough to avoid it, consider yourself lucky you have rescue drugs available because otherwise you would have to discontinue treatment.  I don't think neupogen will cause anymore risks than the SOC drugs you are taking now.  Not enough data on how tx drugs will effect us down the road.  Treatment is hard work and you have to expect the unexpected.  Nothing worth doing is easy - and if you are virus free at the end of this ordeal it will all be worth it.
Trinity

[Trish77]

What DID your doctor tell you treatment would be like?  I'm curious.  Treatment is actually pretty tough stuff.  

[dorsey15]

When I tried to treat in 2004-- my doc didn't know about Neupogen & Procrit-- and at 6 wks took me off treatment because my WBC dropped too low and my red count below 7!
So this time I'm with a Liver Specialist (not a GI Doc) who at my 3rd week when my WBC dropped to 1--and neutrophills were less than 700 put me on Neupogen right away..
I'm on my 25th week now and have been on Neupogen ever since...at my 12th week I went to doing the shot every other week...
I am VERY grateful for NEUPOGEN ! otherwise I would have been taken off treatment AGAIN!
By the way -- I'm geno 1 A and cleared at 4 weeks...
Good luck..on clearing as well.. YES ! treatment is hell... but it IS worth it!!
Dorsey

[lalapple]

thank you for being so positive :)  
i'm just sick of putting more chemicals into my body and i'm not even 20 yet.
but you are right.  it is worth it.  i hope i get to clear super fast!

[donnieraye]

I was also put on Neupogen at week 3 since my WBC was so low.  I am at week 14 and am taking 3 shots per week.  It is rough, and I hope mine can be lowered soon.  The way I look at it is that you just have to put your head down and do it.  It does make you really tired.  So stay in bed, and dont forget lots of water. LOTS!  It really does help.  

Donnieraye

[lalapple]

hey guys... i just confirmed my delivery of Neupogen.
my wbc is about 2 and it's only my 3rd week of treatment.  is this typically seen in hcv patients during early treatment?
will multivitamins help?

thanks guys :)

[jmjm530]

The important blood value is "ANC" (absolute neutrophils) which is a WBC fraction. Some doctors prescribe Neupogen when ANC hits 1000 but others wait until it gets much lower -- down to around 300 in my case. My suggestion is to first find out what your ANC is. If it's not below 500, I'd question my doc why he wants me on Neupogen, as some recent studies show that low ANC is not associated with more infections as previously thought. Of course, you can always get a second opinion from another doctor, preferably a liver specialist (hepatologist). Knowledge is power and that can work for you during treatment.

-- Jim