Anyone know how to get platelets to go up???

[momofsandj]

Hi All --- I had my first series of Topo and my platelets are in the basement --- there appears to be no Neulasta type drug for platelets --- anyone have any suggestions??? My chemo is going to keep getting delayed because this will be an ongoing problem -- it was for everythhing but the Doxil (there my skin just was destroyed) -- I'm also really anemic but Arinesp doesn't help enough to warrant the risks.

Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Jeanne

[Alaskasense]

A related discussion, Low platelets with Carbo/Taxol for ovarian was started.

[bohan54]

Having the same issue.
My onc wants to give me vitamin B12 shots with my chemo.  He believes if you make your own blood it's better than somebody else's.  Haven't missed a treatment yet, somehow I rally...  Hoping you do the same.
Sharon

[momofsandj]

Thank you all - Ronni and Theresa--- My doctor is afraid to do transfusions and then chemo for the platelets because I've had a history with the chemo of my platelets not coming back on their own.  I think he's really concerned that my bone marrow will just give up producing if he keeps giving me chemo when the platelets are "artificially" at the right number.  I had transfusions for anemia (my hemoglobin was at 5.8) during the second time I was going through chemo.  Kerry,  I'll find so red skinned peanuts.  I'll also ask him again about the platelet transfusions.  I'm hoping and praying that my platelets are up by Monday.  
Thanks again for your input and I wish you all well.  Teresa, I don't even know what to say about you and your hubby being in the same type of boat -- just good luck to you both and have strength I guess.


Jeanne

[yrrek]

I was not able to have treatment two times in a row because of low platelet count.  I cameto the site like you did and asked the same question.  Someone here told me to eat the red casings of peanuts.  I ate quite a lot of peanuts that week with the red shell around them and was able to get chemo the next week.??  Interesting huh  I wish well.  Kerry

[Teresa222]

Ronni is correct.  My husband has to have them on a regular basis. (platelet and blood infusions)  In fact, it was so strange: Yesterday, as I was having my first Doxil treatment, he was sitting next to me in the infusion room, having his blood transfusions.  The nurses were great to work with us giving us chairs next to eachother.  We had dual purposes, we were patient AND caregivers at the same time.
Teresa

[vegas2cr]

Please ask your doctor to do a platelet blood transfusion.. whole packed cells.. and a regular blood transfusion.. I had it done many times and I never missed a chemo.. yes I know that some doctors think you can wait it out.. well I was happy to have an oncologist who believed waiting costs in the long run..And you are correct there is no injection for this ongoing problem.. within 3 hours of my transfusions I could have my chemos....
Good luck.. Jeanne.  Ronni