Re: Low Platelets

[Guest guest]

Dear Nickie,

Thank you so much for responding. I think I'm going to ask her

doctor again about Neulasta to try to boost her platelets. It seemed

to help her WBC but I don't think we really tried it long enough to

see an effect on her platelets. As far as the shark oil caps

go...the last thing I want to do is give her any discomfort...so I

think I'll wait on that.

This is a third line treatment for my Mom so I'm hoping and praying

like you are for your Dad that the newer drugs become available soon.

Again thank you...you are so nice to respond to me and to so many on

this board.

God Bless you and your family

Kat

[Guest guest]

Hi Kat:

Not sure if the following information helps but perhaps might, so

here goes.

Neulasta cannot be given, so I'm told, when chemo is administered

weekly because of the fact that it takes two weeks to work.

Therefore it is less helpful for those on Saltz regime with

Camptosar. It seems to be more helpful on regimes that are at least

every two weeks or more, which I believe is your case.

I'm not familiar with a drug for low platelets, but I also remember a

post on this board and I also could not find it when I searched the

archives under platelets. Will try another approach and see what I

come up with and post if I'm successful.

I do know that some people actually receive platelets while on

chemo. This seems to be not uncommon in the oncology unit my mom

visits, though I cannot help you with what circumstances they are

given for. I do see bags of platelets hanging with the IV meds, so I

know they sometimes are given.

Finally, some people just respond a certain way to chemo. My mom has

had to change her regime because of an issue with white blood count.

Hers always goes down in the week following chemo. For this reason

she and her oncologist have decided to go with one week on and one

week off, rather than four on and one off. It gives my mom a chance

to feel better in the interim. The downside is that she receives

chemo for three out of six weeks, rather than four, and who knows

whether this will have a downside in the long run? However, it has

allowed her to enjoy life, with fairly tolerable side effects from

chemo so far, and since she is Stage 4 with abdominal mets, this is

key for her.

Best of luck. Really hoping for the best for you all.

Laurie

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurie,

Thank you for replying to my concerns for my Mom. I found the drug

used for low platelets posted by Kris....it's Neumega. It looks like

it comes with serious side effects. If we find her platelets are not

stable or higher on Tuesday I may ask about this drug but I think

skipping a treatment or giving Neulasta another try may be more

helpful.

My Mom is on Oxal/5fu and her doctor preferred to reduce her dose

last week rather than skip a week so hopefully that's helped to

increase her platelets. Like you, I worry that a lesser treatment may

not be as effective, but as long as she feels good and her blood work

comes back with better results I'll be ok.

Thank you for caring and all the best to you and your family.

Kat

> Hi Kat:

>

> >

> I'm not familiar with a drug for low platelets, but I also remember

a

> post on this board and I also could not find it when I searched the

> archives under platelets. Will try another approach and see what I

> come up with and post if I'm successful.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nickie:

We're all hoping that the new drugs get approved SOON. My mom's onc

holds these drugs with high regard and has said he would put my mom

on them when they become available. Considering all you've been

through with you dad, I'm hoping, wishing and praying extra hard on

your behalf. Hang in there!

Hugs,

Laurie