low white cell count

[secundchance]

Since white blood cells are destroyed as a side effect of chemotherapy, there is nothing specifically that you can do to prevent neutropenia from occurring. Nonetheless, there are several things that you can do to reduce your risk of getting an infection when your white blood cells are low, So what are the chance of incrise my cell count ?

[Proactive]

Sometimes referred to here as a helper. Neupogen can be used to increase your white cell count.

"Neupogen is a man-made form of a protein that stimulates the growth of white blood cells in your body. White blood cells help your body fight against infection.

Neupogen is used to treat neutropenia, a lack of certain white blood cells caused by cancer, bone marrow transplant, receiving chemotherapy, or by other conditions.

Neupogen may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide"

[newleaf09]

Neulasta is the expensive pegylated counterpart of neupogen.  Same drug (filgrastim).  Otherwise all you can do is reduce the interferon and it's generally considered better not to do that before you've cleared the virus.

I don't know of any ways to reduce your risk of infection.  What are you thinking of when you say that, please?

[Lindaz]

My neutophil count declined during the first 4 - 5 weeks of treatment.  They went from 3.21 to 0.69.  After about week 4 and 5 they started to rise slowly and are now 1.56 after 22 shots.  They may start on their own accord to rise - it's unpredictable what they will do.
I hope yours stay in the acceptable range whilst on treatment.
take care
Linda x

[JennyPenny]

I'm guessing that secundhance is referring to things like washing hands frequently and staying away from crowds. When my neutrophils were zero they didn't even let me eat fruits and vegetables that were washed thoroughly if they weren't cooked. It was a long summer without fruit last year. LOL!

[newleaf09]

I figured that there are a lot of naturally occuring bacteria always in the body that are no longer held in check by neutrophils once they get destroyed.  People are different and some don't have many issues with low neuts.  I got infections every time mine dropped and was stopped once when we couldn't find Neulasta anywhere in town to fix them.  I spent a lot of time staying away from public places but my own bacteria attacked my kidneys.  Big waste of time avoiding the stores and movies and crowds for me and my low neuts.

[JennyPenny]

I see what you mean. But I had no choice since they threw me in the hospital. I had a sinus infection and was actually in reverse isolation. They did tell me that I wa two breaths away from a serious infection that could be fatal. Yikes, it was scary stuff.