rescue drugs-???

[Kit-c]

---hi,,
I saw someone say that at around week 4 you might need
rescue drugs-???
is this for low blood count,?
or pain meds.,.,
If pain gets bad with  everything is it good to get
something like percacets(sp),,and, or sleep meds,.??

Thanks,gale,.,.,.
p.s,,,I got some new sheets,and Jammies,,,yeeee-hhaa

[madbrad]

Your a hoot brother...We're gonna get along just fine......LOL.....BTW Ya want my recipe for crusty ham..........LOL...
    P.S. Glad to see your at the tail end of your journey.

[Teufelhunden]

I was on Neupogen weekly almost from the start and looking back with hindsight, it was probably until the Doc felt that my WBC had stabilized between 2.5-2,9. Then he started reading my NE# and haven't needed the Neup since. Week 37 and my last weeks WBC was 4.7. Needed a sleep aid but the pain wasn't so bad that I needed anything for that though. Other than the aches and pains of being young I take Motrin.
madbrad, coming from a snake eater who jumps out of perfectly good airplanes, I feel the sensitivity coming out of you with your skin issue. It's ok man, let it out (LOL)!  This, coming from a guy who cried going to work early in my treatment when I heard "You Don't Send Me Flowers". Jeez...That afternoon I went to see my doc for crying meds!  Next thing ya know, we're going to be exchanging recipes...

[Kit-c]

Thanks all,,,
I have not started tx yet but,,I am trying to get as much
info as I can,,,not too sure about my doctor,,,

Did,or do you guys find creams help your skin,,baths with a bit
of oatmeal or oils,.,?????

And Brad,,,take care of your sissy skin,,,
I bet it will go back macho soon-----------smile-------

See ya Gale-----

[madbrad]

Ain't that the truth...About the sensitivity of the skin..I'm a man and I've had pretty tough skin all my life....But now It's gone sissy on me...LOL...

[ladybug52]

Yes, as was already said, rescue drugs refer to helping blood work maintain normal levels. You want to look for your Hemoglobin (HGB) and ANC absolute neutrophils to see if they are in the normal range. Also it's nice to have a copy of your blood work prior to tx so you can have a baseline/
Friole: Any luck getting your appt with the specialist moved till after tax season? I'm interested in the name of the dr or clinic. Is it in Dallas or Houston?

[ladybug52]

The best solution for me was aveeno oatmeal tx and tepid baths. Everyone's different, I don't know, and what works for me not work at all for you.
Good luck

[nygirl7]

Ditto ditto ditto.

You'll pretty much know if you need rescue drugs not only because of how bad you feel but by monitoring the results of your CBCs (ALWAYS get a hard copy for yourself).

The silkiest clothing you can wear (and also sheets and pillow cases) the better. Our skin just rips and tears and bruises like nothing you've ever seen.

Friole - I fell asleep right before the season finale last night I simply CANT believe it..................thank GOD for Tivo!

[friole]

I think normally we refer to Neupogen for low absolute neutrophils (white counts) and Procrit/Epogen for low hemoglobin (red counts).  Hopefully at week 4 you are getting at CBCs at least evey 2 weeks.

Hint on the new jammies -- don't get polyester.  My skin was super sensitive during tx and I had to throw away a lot of things.  It also helped to cut the tags off stuff as they really bothered my neck.  Satin pillowcases are nice too - easier on the hair.

How are you feeling at 4 weeks?
frijole