How will chemo affect my blood cell counts?
The bone marrow produces 3 important parts of your blood:
- Red blood cells, which carry oxygen to cells throughout the body
- White blood cells, which fight infection
- Platelets, which help blood to clot and stop bleeding
Chemo destroys some of the bone marrow cells so fewer blood cells are produced. A drop in the levels of any one of these cells leads to specific side effects.
Your doctor will check your blood cell count by doing a test called a complete blood count or CBC. This will be done often during your treatment.
Bleeding or clotting problems
Chemo 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 helping your blood to clot. If you do not have enough platelets, you may bleed or bruise more easily than usual, even from a minor injury. A shortage of platelets is called thrombocytopenia.
Report these signs of thrombocytopenia to your doctor:
- Unexpected bruising
- Small red spots under your skin
- Red or pink 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.
Things that may help you 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, like acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen, and any other medicines you can buy without a prescription. Some of these medicines can weaken the platelets and make bleeding problems worse.
- Don’t drink any alcohol (beer, wine, or liquor) unless your doctor says it’s OK.
- Use an extra-soft bristle toothbrush to clean your teeth, and talk to your doctor before using dental floss.
- If you have a runny nose, blow 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 rather than a potholder when you reach into the oven.
- Avoid contact sports and other activities that might cause an injury.
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat enough fiber to reduce the chances you will get constipated.
- Use an electric shaver instead of a razor.
- When bending over, keep your head above your heart.
Infection
Having a low white blood cell count decreases your body’s ability to fight infections. One type of white blood cell, the neutrophil, 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, and rectum.
If your white blood cell count drops too much, your doctor may hold treatment, give you a lower dose of chemo, or give you a growth factor shot that makes your bone marrow put out more white blood cells.
Things that may help you prevent infections:
- Wash your hands often during the day, especially before you eat and after you use the bathroom.
- Stay away from crowds.
- Stay away from people who have diseases you can catch, such as colds, flu, measles, or chicken pox.
- Do not get any immunization shots (vaccines) without first checking with your cancer doctor (oncologist).
- Stay away from people who have recently had an immunization, such as a vaccine for chicken pox or small pox. Check with your doctor about which vaccines are important and how long you should stay away from people who have had them.
- Clean your rectal area very well but gently after each bowel movement. Ask your doctor or nurse for advice if the area becomes sore or if you have hemorrhoids. Also, check with your doctor before using enemas or suppositories.
- Don’t cut, bite, 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 bristle toothbrush that won’t hurt your gums, and talk to your doctor before using dental floss.
- 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, scrapes, and broken skin right away with warm water and soap. Use an antibiotic ointment and cover with a bandage.
- Wear waterproof gloves when gardening or cleaning up after animals and others, especially small children. Wash your hands afterward, since gloves can get holes that are too small to see.
Even if you are extra careful, your body may not be able to fight infections when your white blood cell count is low. Look out for and check your body regularly for signs and symptoms that you might have an infection. Pay special attention to your eyes, nose, mouth, and genital and rectal areas. The symptoms of infection could be:
- Fever of 100.5°F or greater when your temperature is taken by mouth
- Chills
- Sweating
- Loose stools (This can also be a side effect of chemo.)
- A burning feeling when you urinate
- A bad cough or sore throat
- Unusual vaginal discharge or itching
- Redness, swelling, or tenderness, especially around a wound, sore, pimple, IV site, or central venous catheter
- Abdominal (belly) pain
Report any signs of infection to your doctor right away. If you have a fever, don’t use aspirin, acetaminophen (Tylenol), or any other medicine to bring your temperature down without first checking with your doctor.
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