[Phoebe]

will dad's neutrophil and platelet counts increase?

by Phoebe on Thu Aug 08, 2013 11:11 am

Dad's myeloma came back while he was on VDT. Also, his platelet and neutrophil counts keep falling.

Doctor now wants to put him on clinical trial but they need him to have higher counts.

He has stopped all chemo treatments since 1 week ago. Is it possible that his neutrophil and platelet counts increase since the treatments have stopped? Doctor has also prescribed folic acid for dad.

Appreciate inputs pls.

Thanks alot.

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: will dad's neutrophil and platelet counts increase?

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Sat Aug 10, 2013 12:46 pm

Dear Phoebe,

The important question is whether the low neutrophil and platelet counts are due to the previous chemotherapy or due to bone marrow problems from myeloma running rampant in the marrow. If it is due to prior therapy, then yes, the counts should improve with time (after VTD, they should rebound quickly -- within 2 weeks at most. If slower, I would worry that myeloma is the problem and not the drugs). If it is due to myeloma, your dad will need to start new myeloma therapy and knock down the burden of disease in order to get the counts back up to a respectable range. This can be tricky and requires aggressive supportive care (e.g. growth factors for low neutrophils, transfusions for low red blood cell and platelet levels).

Good luck and let us know how things go!

Pete V.

[Phoebe]

Re: will dad's neutrophil and platelet counts increase?

by Phoebe on Sun Aug 11, 2013 9:09 am

Thanks very much, Pete. Appreciate your reply. Dad will do another blood test next Mon. Hopefully all goes well.