My wbc and platelet count are down

[nuhepper]

The wbc is 1.4 but should be ok because the Hepatologist said to go back to one neupogen shot every 5 days.  But my platelet count has dropped to 86.  He says that there won't be any need for medicine until the platelet count drops to 26 or 30. He also mentioned that it would cost thousands of dollars for the meds.  I have good insurance and have been paying into one pot or another for 40 years.  Cost shouldn't be the determining factor.  What is most alarming is that I recall others talking about getting procrit up around an 80 or 90 platelet count.

I am on wk 30 of tx.  18 more wks to go.  Was doing fine, but lately my heart feels strained.  Going to see my primary care doctor tomorrow for the first time since starting tx.  

Any insights you folks could share would be greatly appreciated.  Especially about the platelet count and what the SOC is for when to begin taking Procrit.

Tia,

nuhepper

[nuhepper]

Right back at you Brand New,

Thanks again for blazing the trail.  My primary care Doc gave me some Gabapentin to get some sleep and some Nitrostat to take when my heart feels like it is going to explode.  That should just about cover everything.  

Wooooohooooo!

[ActingBrandNew]

Almost there my friend! 18 more weeks! Just wanted to say hi

ABN

[nuhepper]

Thank you Hector.  You are always so helpful to others.  You have a special gift my friend.  We all hope for the best for you.

My doctor gives me a 60% chance for SVR.  My chances would be better if it were not for my age, weight and liver condition (stage 2/3) and a biopsy report says "suggestive of cirrhosis".   He knows of no other tx in the pipeline for G3a.

I have noted your comments to others about Sofusbuvir and have them book marked if this tx doesn't work.  A 60% chance of SVR isn't bad but it is no "shoe in" either.  

Have a good one,

nuhepper

[HectorSF]

" But my platelet count has dropped to 86."

As can-do said, your platelet are fine. In fact many cirrhotics can't remember when we last had 80,000 platelets. I haven't had 80,000 platelets since sometime before 2007. Platelets clot blood, that is all they do. You won't feel any different with lower than normal platelets and only when platelets get under 25,000 are there any issues with possible bleeding under the skin, nose bleeds, teeth brushing bleeding and easy bruising. And soon you will be off treatment and your platelet count will return to pretreatment levels. So no worries.

A Hepatologist is an expert in liver disease. Always best to listen to their advice and ask questions if you don't understand something.
But you should be hep C free soon to live your life hep C free and not need to worry about hep C and more.

Good luck with SVR!
Hector

[nuhepper]

Only five weeks for you.  I truly hope that your struggles will be over.  

[Diana66]

I am good (sort of), thank you for asking. Well, here where I live, Neupogen does not seem to be a favourite and dose reduction is prefered instead.

I have started tx with a WBC of 3.2 (still lower than normal) and I am now at 1.2. I hope it will go back to normal after tx. I have been never told that tx will stop if WBC goes to 1.2 but only if Neutrophils are dropping too much. In fact I had to skip week 19 as they dropped to 0.36. I am cruising at 0.6 at the moment

Yep, 5 weeks to go for me, just to make it interesting I got a cold which I cannot get rid of and the cough and short breath is just there for the last 3 weeks. It does not help that here is winter and half of the people in the office seem to have the same symptoms :( I just seem to feel it more than them

18 weeks to go for you.. it will go fast, and fingers crossed without major issues

[nuhepper]

Thank you Diana for sharing.  My, doctor said that he would stop treatment if Wbc got down to 1.2.  Why do you not take neupogen?  We never spoke before, but I remember some of your past blogs and that you had enough health issues for two or three people.  You are approaching EOT soon.  Are you not?  How are you doing these days?

Sicerely,

nuhepper

[nuhepper]

Thank you for your thoughtful response.

Congratulations on your SVR.

I will definitely heed your advice and order ahead of time.  

nuhepper

[Diana66]

I had around 50-70 platelet count for the majority of my tx, my WBC is 1.2 and I am not doing neupogen. I do have a dose reduction instead.

As can-do said, your counts are fine for now

[crossroadsec]

That is why forums are great. You don't have to remember! Someone is always here to help.
I had to take Promacta for low platelets while on treatment. They were not approved, yet I got a company to help me pay what the insurance did not cover.
NOW the FDA has approved them for those on Hepatitis C treatment. It should not cost that much. And you are so right. Cost should never be a factor.
I think mine were about $2,000 out of pocket. It would be even less now that insurance should cover more of it. I think they ordered Promacta at about 40 count on platelets. I would have to check my records. I know they got to 20's before the Promacta came in. It worked fairly fast and I only took them for a couple of months.
I hope this helps you feel better about it. It's kinda scary when you're blood levels go wack on you. Hang in there.
Don't be afraid to push your doctor. Remind him that you want to get them ordered in advance in case your insurance gives you a hassle.
Take care of you.
Karen:)

[can-do-man]

" I am still learning how to have hepatitis."

Forget about learning on how to have Hepatitis as you won't have it long enough, as a matter of fact with your quick response your Hepatitis has done left the building........ Just keep doing what your doing as soon this nightmare will be over.......... Best to you.

[nuhepper]

Thank You.  I just did not understand.  I am still learning how to have hepatitis.

[can-do-man]

Procrit is not used for ones platelets......... Besides your count at 86 is fine, I started treatment at 80. Your doctor is correct about getting down to 30.

Good luck