When I took my 3rd treatment my WBC was too low and I had to wait another week. When I went to get treatment #4, same thing, very, very low blood count. So again I am waiting until Monday to try again. The nurse said the doctor would probably put me on Neulasta. Has anybody else taken this for low white blood count? Any side effects? I know everybody's different.
How dangerous is it to go 3 weeks instead of 2 weeks between Folfox treatments? Can cancer cells actually start growing again because of the missed week?
Any thoughts on this will be appreciated.
B.A.Mc.

I can only respond to the part about Neulasta, I took it just about every time I had chemo after the 3rd cycle. The only side effect I noticed was the "mild to moderate bone pain" and I put that in quotes because for me there was no mild or moderate to it, it was pretty strong bone pain, for me mostly in my sternum, hips and sacrum. But it only would last a day or two and then I'd be back to normal. Hope this helps.

I had Neulasta after my 6th or 7th treatment. That mild to moderate bone pain was probably the worst pain I can remember. It also was in my lower back and hips. Tylenol was extremely helpful, and I only had pain with the first shot. What you are actually feeling is the bone marrow being stimulated to make more white cells. I don't think the delay in treatment makes much difference. Sometimes they let me go an extra week or 2 to let my body make its own blood cells without the aid of shots. My last treatment was delayed 3 weeks-no one seemed concerned. This Tuesday I go for my 2 year check. Of course I am hoping everything goes well. Good luck to you. Remember, there is life after chemo.

I had Neulasta after my 6th or 7th treatment. That mild to moderate bone pain was probably the worst pain I can remember. It also was in my lower back and hips. Tylenol was extremely helpful, and I only had pain with the first shot. What you are actually feeling is the bone marrow being stimulated to make more white cells. I don't think the delay in treatment makes much difference. Sometimes they let me go an extra week or 2 to let my body make its own blood cells without the aid of shots. My last treatment was delayed 3 weeks-no one seemed concerned. This Tuesday I go for my 2 year check. Of course I am hoping everything goes well. Good luck to you. Remember, there is life after chemo.


BAMC:
I don't know whether you experienced the same "pain" that Sammy experienced. But, I have been told that the SIGNIFICANT sacral and hip pain is due to the excessive radiation I received. I never received Neulasta, alhough other hormone levels were thrown off due to the metal based chemo and radiation, so I've been told. So, I don't know whether you had radiation *sorry, I don't recall at this point!!!* but I would think a regerneration of or stimulation of regeneration of WBC's would tend to cause more of a weird discomfort, not PAIN. But then again, I respect edinaman's comments and admit that I have never received the Neulasta product. I just thought I would chime in for whatever it's worth.

Good Luck,
CancerDad