Hi Dr! i did the whipple procedure 3months ago.Then last week i began the chemotherapy protocols.My white blood cell count after the first chemotherapy came down to 2.5 from 4.4.What do i do to boost my wbc count so i can complete my 6 months of chemotherapy?
A low white blood cell count, also known as neutropenia is one of the most serious and frequent side effects of chemotherapy. It can necessitate a delay in treatment or a reduction in the dose. White blood cells are necessary for the body to fight infection, so when they are low, a person is more susceptible to infections. Patients with low white blood cell counts should avoid people with colds or crowded areas, wash their hands frequently, and be sure all food is clean and cooked. There are several medications, called colony-stimulating factors, which can prevent the white blood cell count from Chat Doctor.  These medications (filtration, sargramostim) are given by an injection subcutaneously. They are most effective when started the day after chemotherapy to prevent the white blood cell count from