Post by Deanne Jenkyns on Jun 25, 2007 19:39:10 GMT 1
How Will Chemotherapy Affect My Blood Cell Count?
Your Bone Marrow Produces 3 Important Blood Components:
Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to cells throughout the body
White blood cells, which fight infection
Platelets, which help blood clot and stop bleeding
Chemotherapy treatments destroy some of the bone marrow cells so fewer blood cells are produced. A drop in the levels of any of these cells results in specific side effects.
Your doctor will check your blood cell count often during your treatment and may give you growth factors to help your bone marrow make new blood cells.
Anemia
When you have too few red blood cells, your body tissues don't get enough oxygen to do their work. This condition is called anemia. You may have these symptoms:
Fatigue
Dizziness
Paleness
A tendency to feel cold
Shortness of breath
Infection
Having low white blood cell counts, a condition called leukopenia, decreases your ability to fight infections. One type of white blood cell, neutrophils, is especially important in fighting infections. A shortage of neutrophils is called neutropenia. Infections can begin in almost any part of your body, and most often start in your mouth, skin, lungs, urinary tract, rectum, and reproductive organs.
If your white blood cell count drops too much, your doctor may postpone treatment, give you a lower dose of chemotherapy, or prescribe treatment with a growth factor that boosts white blood cell production in the bone marrow.
Techniques to Prevent Infections:
Wash your hands often during the day, especially before you eat and before and after you use the bathroom.
Stay away from people who have diseases you can catch, such as a cold, the flu, measles, or chickenpox.
Avoid crowds.
Stay away from children who recently have received immunizations, such as vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).
Clean your rectal area gently but thoroughly after each bowel movement. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice if the area becomes irritated or if you have hemorrhoids. Also, check with your doctor before using enemas or suppositories.
Don't cut or tear the cuticles of your nails.
Be careful not to cut or nick yourself when using scissors, needles, or knives.
Use an electric shaver instead of a razor to prevent breaks or cuts in your skin.
Use an extra soft toothbrush that won't hurt your gums.
Don't squeeze or scratch pimples.
Take a warm (not hot) bath, shower, or sponge bath every day. Pat your skin dry using a light touch. Don't rub.
Use lotion or oil to soften and heal your skin if it becomes dry and cracked.
Clean cuts and scrapes right away with warm water, soap, and an antiseptic.
Wear protective gloves when gardening or cleaning up after animals and others, especially small children.
Do not get any immunization shots without checking first with your doctor to see if it's all right.
Even if you are being extra careful, your body may not be able to fight off infections when your white blood cell count is low. Be alert to the signs and symptoms that you might have an infection and check your body regularly for signs, paying special attention to your eyes, nose, mouth, and genital and rectal areas.
Symptoms of Infection:
Fever of 100.5°F or greater
Chills
Sweating
Loose bowels (This also can be a side effect of chemotherapy.)
A burning feeling when you urinate
A severe cough or sore throat
Unusual girl thingyl discharge or itching
Redness, swelling, or tenderness, especially around a wound, sore, pimple, IV catheter site, or vascular access device
Abdominal pain
Report any signs of infection to your doctor immediately. If you have a fever, don't use aspirin, acetaminophen, or any other medicine to bring down your temperature without first checking with your doctor.
Bleeding or Clotting Problems
Chemotherapy drugs can affect the bone marrow's ability to make platelets. These are the blood cells that help stop bleeding by plugging up damaged blood vessels and by helping your blood to clot. If your blood does not have enough platelets, you may bleed or bruise more easily than usual, even from a minor injury.
Report these signs to your doctor:
Unexpected bruising
Small red spots under the skin
Reddish or pinkish urine
Black or bloody bowel movements
Any bleeding from your gums or nose
Bad headaches
Dizziness
An increase in weakness
Pain in joints and muscles
Your doctor will check your platelet count often during your treatment. If it falls too low, you may need a platelet transfusion.
Techniques to Avoid Problems if Your Platelet Count is Low:
Don't take any medicine without first checking with your doctor or nurse. This includes aspirin and aspirin-free pain relievers, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and any other medicines you can buy without a prescription. Some of these medications can weaken the platelets and make bleeding problems worse.
Don't drink any alcoholic beverages unless your doctor says it's all right.
Use an extra soft toothbrush to clean your teeth.
Clean your nose by blowing gently into a soft tissue.
Take care not to cut or nick yourself when using scissors, needles, knives, or tools.
Be careful not to burn yourself when ironing or cooking. Use a padded glove when you reach into the oven.
Avoid contact sports and other activities that might result in injury.
Use an electric shaver instead of a razor.
Your Bone Marrow Produces 3 Important Blood Components:
Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to cells throughout the body
White blood cells, which fight infection
Platelets, which help blood clot and stop bleeding
Chemotherapy treatments destroy some of the bone marrow cells so fewer blood cells are produced. A drop in the levels of any of these cells results in specific side effects.
Your doctor will check your blood cell count often during your treatment and may give you growth factors to help your bone marrow make new blood cells.
Anemia
When you have too few red blood cells, your body tissues don't get enough oxygen to do their work. This condition is called anemia. You may have these symptoms:
Fatigue
Dizziness
Paleness
A tendency to feel cold
Shortness of breath
Infection
Having low white blood cell counts, a condition called leukopenia, decreases your ability to fight infections. One type of white blood cell, neutrophils, is especially important in fighting infections. A shortage of neutrophils is called neutropenia. Infections can begin in almost any part of your body, and most often start in your mouth, skin, lungs, urinary tract, rectum, and reproductive organs.
If your white blood cell count drops too much, your doctor may postpone treatment, give you a lower dose of chemotherapy, or prescribe treatment with a growth factor that boosts white blood cell production in the bone marrow.
Techniques to Prevent Infections:
Wash your hands often during the day, especially before you eat and before and after you use the bathroom.
Stay away from people who have diseases you can catch, such as a cold, the flu, measles, or chickenpox.
Avoid crowds.
Stay away from children who recently have received immunizations, such as vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles).
Clean your rectal area gently but thoroughly after each bowel movement. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice if the area becomes irritated or if you have hemorrhoids. Also, check with your doctor before using enemas or suppositories.
Don't cut or tear the cuticles of your nails.
Be careful not to cut or nick yourself when using scissors, needles, or knives.
Use an electric shaver instead of a razor to prevent breaks or cuts in your skin.
Use an extra soft toothbrush that won't hurt your gums.
Don't squeeze or scratch pimples.
Take a warm (not hot) bath, shower, or sponge bath every day. Pat your skin dry using a light touch. Don't rub.
Use lotion or oil to soften and heal your skin if it becomes dry and cracked.
Clean cuts and scrapes right away with warm water, soap, and an antiseptic.
Wear protective gloves when gardening or cleaning up after animals and others, especially small children.
Do not get any immunization shots without checking first with your doctor to see if it's all right.
Even if you are being extra careful, your body may not be able to fight off infections when your white blood cell count is low. Be alert to the signs and symptoms that you might have an infection and check your body regularly for signs, paying special attention to your eyes, nose, mouth, and genital and rectal areas.
Symptoms of Infection:
Fever of 100.5°F or greater
Chills
Sweating
Loose bowels (This also can be a side effect of chemotherapy.)
A burning feeling when you urinate
A severe cough or sore throat
Unusual girl thingyl discharge or itching
Redness, swelling, or tenderness, especially around a wound, sore, pimple, IV catheter site, or vascular access device
Abdominal pain
Report any signs of infection to your doctor immediately. If you have a fever, don't use aspirin, acetaminophen, or any other medicine to bring down your temperature without first checking with your doctor.
Bleeding or Clotting Problems
Chemotherapy drugs can affect the bone marrow's ability to make platelets. These are the blood cells that help stop bleeding by plugging up damaged blood vessels and by helping your blood to clot. If your blood does not have enough platelets, you may bleed or bruise more easily than usual, even from a minor injury.
Report these signs to your doctor:
Unexpected bruising
Small red spots under the skin
Reddish or pinkish urine
Black or bloody bowel movements
Any bleeding from your gums or nose
Bad headaches
Dizziness
An increase in weakness
Pain in joints and muscles
Your doctor will check your platelet count often during your treatment. If it falls too low, you may need a platelet transfusion.
Techniques to Avoid Problems if Your Platelet Count is Low:
Don't take any medicine without first checking with your doctor or nurse. This includes aspirin and aspirin-free pain relievers, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and any other medicines you can buy without a prescription. Some of these medications can weaken the platelets and make bleeding problems worse.
Don't drink any alcoholic beverages unless your doctor says it's all right.
Use an extra soft toothbrush to clean your teeth.
Clean your nose by blowing gently into a soft tissue.
Take care not to cut or nick yourself when using scissors, needles, knives, or tools.
Be careful not to burn yourself when ironing or cooking. Use a padded glove when you reach into the oven.
Avoid contact sports and other activities that might result in injury.
Use an electric shaver instead of a razor.
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