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Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv

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14 years 7 months ago #12710 by jbaker63
Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv was created by jbaker63
My husband has been getting chemo for Hodgkins Lymphoma and hasn't been able to get chemo since Nov.2010 because of low platelets. A second bone marrow biopsy found everything to be okay, then high dose steroids and IGIV treatment did nothing. Now we're waiting on the dr. to decide on the next step. Anyone out there with this situation?

Thanks,
Jeanie
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 7 months ago #12714 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv
Jeanie:

Unfortunately, there isn't anyone here that I'm aware of that is in that situation. Nearly everyone here has ITP. My Mom had non-Hodgkins years ago though and had the same problem. She did eventually resume treatments.

Has your doctor mentioned N-Plate or Promacta? Those two drugs can stimulate platelet production and might be a good solution in this case. Is he using Rituxan?
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14 years 7 months ago #12715 by jbaker63
Replied by jbaker63 on topic Re: Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv
Sandi,
His doctor hasn't mentioned any of those drugs. He's not on Rituxan either. His platelets have been low since Nov. 2010 and have never recovered. Earlier this month the dr. suggested another PET Scan to see where we are. At the end of 2 complete rounds the tumor was half the size before chemo. He's only had 1 1/2 rounds of chemo since then. He received IGIV on 2/14 & 2/15 and that didn't even work like we had hoped it would. We see the dr. on Friday so we will ask about those drugs. Thanks for your input.

Jeanie
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 7 months ago #12720 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv
Yes, I'd mention those. I know that chemo patients are often given Procrit or Neupogen for red/white cells. N-Plate and Promacta do the same thing for platelets. I'm not sure if either of them are used routinely for chemo-induced thrombocytopenia though.

"Nplate is the first treatment specifically developed for chronic ITP. It is also being investigated for potential use in pediatric ITP, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia (CIT)".

www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amgen-recognized-for-best-pipeline-and-best-new-drug-at-scrip-awards-71780277.html
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14 years 7 months ago #12724 by jbaker63
Replied by jbaker63 on topic Re: Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv
We heard of injections at one point but they talked about such horrible side effects. Do N-Plate and Promacta have any bad side effects? He's had Neupogen for his low blood count numerous times and that did cause alot of bone pain. We will mention both of those to the dr. and try to get somewhere with it. Thanks for all of your help. I'll let you know how we make out.

Jeanie
  • Sandi
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  • Sandi Forum Moderator Diagnosed in 1998, currently in remission. Diagnosed with Lupus in 2006. Last Count - 344k - 6-9-18
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14 years 7 months ago - 14 years 7 months ago #12735 by Sandi
Replied by Sandi on topic Re: Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv
Some people have reported bone pain with N-Plate, yes. It sort of goes with the territory. Quite a few people here use N-Plate though on a continual basis because they have to. If it would get your husband his chemo, it might be worth it. Keep in mind it would only be temporary until his treatments were done and hopefully, his counts will go up. Let us know how it goes!
14 years 7 months ago #12748 by
Replied by on topic Re: Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv
I can only speak for myself and Promacta. Side effects have been negligible when compared to everything else I've taken for ITP. I've been on Promacta for just over a year now.
Also, Promacta is in tablet form....no injections. ;)
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14 years 7 months ago #12760 by jbaker63
Replied by jbaker63 on topic Re: Platelets low with chemo even after steroids/igiv
Did the Promacta increase your platelets quickly or was it a slow process? My husband is just anxious to get this chemotherapy over with.
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