neupogen b4 treatment

[springfever]

Has anyone taken neupogen to increase neutrophil count before starting treatment?  
My numbers are low, but not that low, and Dr. suggested and tried to get pre-approval for neupogen (ins. wants more info).  My ANC was 800 (10/07); 1350 (1/08); and 1790 (5/08).  
I can see his reasoning - build it up before tx knocks it down.
Just wondering if anyone else had/has a similar beginning.  If so, did it work?

[springfever]

This was posted in another thread on neupogen.

To calculate ANC  http://www.mylan-clozapine.com/ANCCalc.asp

[FlGuy]

Usually, CBC results will show a value for ANCs without further calculation.  Look for a label that might say 'Neutrophils'.

[virgocharm]

how do i determine or calculate what my anc is. i think my wbc s are low. dont know how to read it on my lab result.

[springfever]

lalapple - so glad you are able to fight this when you are young and strong.  You'll have a good outcome.  Thanks for the info, looks like neup is working for you.

Flguy and meakea - thanks for the advise.  I will question my Dr. with one eyebrow raised now.  Without this forum, I would not have questioned it.  Another thread on ANC made me say - wait a minute.  

Thanks.

[meakea]

I would tend to wait to see if your numbers drop on treatment instead of taking Neup ahead of time.  My WBCs have been below normal for many years (a consequence of Hep C I guess) and I'm in week 25 of TX and my WBCs haven't dropped "too" low yet.  I can't tell you my specific ANC pre-treatment number but all of my WBC numbers were low prior to starting TX.

[FlGuy]

Pre-treating with Neupogen would be like buying a wig before treatment. You just don't know what's going to drop or how bad it will look if it does.  

[lalapple]

by the way, my anc's always hoover around 800 on tx, i guess neup just keeps it from dropping lower.

[lalapple]

not before, but 4wks after starting tx, close enough.  my clinic won't put me on it unless anc < 750.

been on neup ever since weekly, rarely twice a week, i'm in wk 36 now still taking it, just added Procrit to my stash.  but some think it's not necessary unless anc < 300

good luck!