Platelets loooooow!
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Hi Jeff,
Wow, I read that about your platelets and thought to myself “wish mine were that high”. My platelets run around 8 to 15. Even when I went off of chemo for a year, they never got up to more than 101. Since doing chemo, it’s been the one thing holding me back from regular treatments. In fact, they told me today, there’s nothing more they can do because my platelets are just too low and I can no longer have the transfusions. My body has been rejecting the tranfusions and my body isn’t producing new ones for some reason. My doctor would be thrilled to see my platelets at 42.
It’s just a reminder to me of how different all the Oncologists are in our treatment and how varied all of our treatments are.Anyhow, something my doctor did tell me about that could raise your platelet counts. A drug called Numega. I’m not sure if that’s the correct spelling or not. But you might ask your own Oncologist about it. My doc won’t give it to me, because I’m too low and I guess it can be a pretty nasty little drug to some. I haven’t done enough research on it yet (in fact I was getting ready to post something about it asking if anyone else has tried it and thier experience with it).
Please let me know if the Gatorade is helping. I haven’t heard of that one either, but it’s worth a shot for sure!
Also, I remember you saying you take Milk Thistle and I’ve noticed a few folks on here take Milk Thistle. My doctor doesn’t want me to take that because while doing chemo, she thought it would not allow me to retain the chemo in my liver for very long. (Now that I’m not doing chemo any longer, I may as well start using it again). But I wonder, have you (or anyone else on here) had your doctor veto the Milk Thistle?
Hope you enjoyed your camping trip Jeff and got your much needed rest!
Sorry if I seem a bit curt this evening. Guess being told “there’s nothing else we can do” has got me in a bit of a mood!
– Kel
Hi, Jeff. I am new to this forum. Platelet count of 42 is not too bad. I have very wide swings in my platelet count after chemo. I go down to about 50-60, then back up to 105-123 ten days later. I was told it doesn’t get really dangerous until you fall below 35k. I don’t know of any drugs that help with platelet formation, but I started having better “bounce back” after I started taking Milk Thistle (sylimarin) supplements. (BTW, are you also “JeffGer” on the CancerCompass forum sponsored by CTCA? I think I corresponded with you a couple of months ago on that forum.)
Violarob in Texas
Hi Jliu168…. Thanks for the advice. I seem to be doing better this time around. I’ve been eating peanut butter, banana, and strawberry sandwiches and drinking gatorade. All other levels and markers are within normal last time we checked. CT on 29th , f/up with Doc 5th, and irregardless what he has to say I will hold off on ant chemo until I get back from visiting my Mom in Maine. Tootles!
God Bless,
Jeff G.Hi Jeff,
Been off for a while as traveling with work. A bit of advice re Platelets, eat more protein, and yes Gatorade or Sport Beverages!
Also in case you have any nosebleeds (my father sent to ER twice), get them to give you TRANSAMINE right away, as it helps stop bleeding. Also my dad had transfusions as well to boost count.
Are they checking your ALBUMIN levels? Maybe ask for that next time you get a blood test.
Keep at it and best of luck.
Hi G. Lasix (forusomide) for water build up in chest cavities around the lungs. Seems to be pretty well cleared up, so cut back to one every other day. Yes the filgrastim can cause me some pain in the bones at times. Feels like it’s crushing my chest sometimes and then no problem at all other times. Also when you get a dull needle ouch! Hows all going with you G? Wishing you the best and nice to hear from you.
Cheerio,
Jeff G.Hi Jeff,
What’s the “lasix” that you’ve been taking? Is it the Taxotere?
I know it’s no fun at all with the Filgrastim. But it beats having very low wbc.
Your attitude is just the best!
G
Hi Maryanne, Had blood work and check up yesterday and the platelets popped up to 81 so the ole body is still doing it’s thing. I will wait at least 3 more weeks before chemo again. And that’s if they reach at least 120. I prefer above 140. I’d really like about 250. I sound like an auctioneer hey? Ha! I was informed that the lasix I’ve been taking was the most likely culprit that caused them to dive so quickly. I think I’m more watchful of my white cells with this Taxotere though. Wish you guys the bestest! Say Hi Ya to Joe!
God Bless,
Jeff G.Hey Jeff,
Joe’s platelets dropped to 38 while he was in the hospital two weeks ago and they gave him two units of packed platelets. That brought it up to 88 when he left the hospital. Then when he had his blood work done a week later in the onc’s office it was up to 142. I hope that means his body is working to build it back up. He just started chemo this week so we will see what that does to it. Keep on truckin. You are an inspiration to all of us. God Bless Mary AnneHope you rested up well Jeff, and I hope your blood platelets have mutiplied and are in good fighting form! Hang in there love, keep up the humour! Thinking of you!
Hi Jeff,
I am glad your platelets are looking great. Now, please, get off the computer and get some zzzzzzzzzzs.
Lots of hugs and kisses coming your way
celoi (Charlene) Daughter of David Cook
Thanks Guys! Just double checked with my ONCO Nurse and other than platelets all looks pretty good. Ordered to rest the weekend. Wifey is working and don’t have to chase my grandchildren around either. So ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
JeffG.
Thanks for the link Ron—Patrice—Now that you mentioned it, My last scan comment that my spleen was slightly enlarged. Something to double check on with the doctor. I definitely don’t need to rupture my spleen. Tom—I really couldn’t say. I told My ONCO nurses I was going to a country slaughter house and have a cup of pigs blood and they starting thinking wierd vampire stuff Ha! I know what you mean if your naturally high and have same blood type would it be benificial to some one else. I would think it surely wouldn’t hurt, as that would be considered a transfusion of white and red cells as well as platelets. I think they try to avoid though unless you get in the 20 -30 range. Here I go again. Catch you all later. Kris Yummy! you leave my gatorade alone. Ha! just kidding You can have all you want. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Carol, thanks for the prayer, I’m sure they will bounce back by next week. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZHey Jeff- anemia is low hemaglobin count. Hemaglobin carries oxygen in the blood. Platelets are the factor that help blood to clot and is affected by chemo and also by hyperspleism. I know you take an herbal concoction but i know there are some that are specific to low platelets. Usually they rebound as you get further out from the chemo. Probably none of that helped and you probably knew it already but just wanted to throw in my 2 cents.
PatriceHi Jeff
I am probably teaching my granny to suck eggs, but I found this article quite interesting.
http://www.cancerhelp.org.uk/help/default.asp?page=314
Hope it all goes well for you.
Ron
Hi Jeff
I know that lack of iron will cause someone to be anemic but low platelets will cause the same thing??? I need some schooling on this.
My dad and I have a hi iron count. His is 600 and mine is something around 450. They checked us for Hemocromitosis ( spelling? ) but nothing came back. Clean bill of health for me.
My question is can blood from someone like me help you?
Tom
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