My blood counts, both red and white as well as hemoglobin have never recovered to normal levels, post treatment. All of them are still pretty much what they were when I was in the throes of chemo and rads. As a result, for these last few years I have been constantly tired and low energy.

Has anyone out there experienced this kind of long term effect of treatment and, more so, found anything that can help return blood counts to normal?

Thanks!

I had the same problem with my blood counts. One thing to remember is that a full recovery can take 2 whole years, maybe even a little longer for some patients. You have been thru alot and it takes alot out of you.

Has the doctor checked your thyroid and testosterone if you are male? These things can get thrown off by treatments as well. Many need meds to help with these issues after treatment. These issues can also be the reason for you feeling tired and with low energy. If they havent been checked ask your doc to check them.

I'm 12 years post Tx and my WBC and RBC is still on the low end of normal (it too never recovered to pre-Tx levels) - practically anemic. I take a liquid B complex vitamin in a fermented probiotic base (MaxB-ND) and I find it helps. Has your B12 level been tested? I have also starting supplementing my fruit blends (I'm on a feeding tube - for life as I am NPO) with ChlorOxygen, chlorophyll concentrate, which is supposed to build red blood cells. They should be checking out TSH levels every 6 months as well.

WBC, RBC are produced by the bone marrow, and can be suppressed from treatment. As mentioned, see the doctor to have a physical, blood work up to see any other causes like the kidneys, infections, low iron, B-12, low vitamin D, even a colonoscopy is sometimes ordered to find the bleeding. Protein helps the bone marrow make more cells, and the life cycle for RBC is 90-120 days, WBC 4-5 days, and are constantly being replaced. The bone marrow may not be making enough or are dying off at a faster rate are some reasons. I assume it's not low enough for intervention by blood transfusion, epogen or nuprogen injections, but they have risks too.

Good luck

They've gone the distance with this! I had a bone marrow biopsy. I was seriously B12 deficient but I was able to correct that with a very high powered B complex supplement (4,383X min RDA)- went from <150 to 352 (norm being ~200). They're following me for MGUS since they detected a high level of IGG in my blood. They also suspected stomach cancer so I had an endoscopy and biopsy to rule that out (a scan I got showed thickening of the antrum). I get annual ocult fecal blood tests (always pass). Passed the PET/CT and 3 Spiral LDCT covering entire body - found nothing. I'm a medical mystery! It was supressed during treatment, never returning to pre-tx levels. I also have Baro-reflex failure because of damage to the cartid artery and vegas nerve. It's been a real joy but others have it far worse. I expanded my medical team to include an infectious disease specialist and pulmonologist. I'm still seeing my H&N surgeon, RO and MO.