Low platelet count and delay of chemo

Hello!
I had the same thing happen to me-a delay in chemo due to low platelet count.

I was told that there is a less potent version of the Folfirinox that they could give me-just to keep on schedule.
Also, I’m wondering if you could ask to have some scans repeated to confirm that there is no cancer. Just a thought.
Scary stuff for sure.

Thank you. Yes, I had repeat scans, all clear. They have mentioned lowering the dosage of what I’m getting - I assume lowering the Folfirinox, dropping Oxaliplatin I think, but they have not done this, instead just cancelled the cycles for now. One problem is I haven’t gotten to talk to anyone, so I’m left confused as to what the exact plan is - but scheduled me for an appt and this is in 2 days, so guess I’ll get more info then. We ‘talk’ through the portal, which kind works…but sometimes doesn't.

@katieliz good luck with your appointment. Please let us know how it goes. I too have struggled with low platelets. It is a constant balancing act.

@tomrennie Thank you. Platelets up (107) so will see what they say. Would love to be done with chemo, but if I’m given this option, what if skipping the last 4 rounds results in some cancer coming back at some time in the future and I should have kept to the original plan of 12 cycles. Is 12 an arbitrary number? Lol, I will be asking these questions of my Dr, my appt. is tomorrow, Wed. 10/8. Just hard to know what is the best thing to do, and even the doctors don’t have all the answers as far as I can tell.

@katieliz I am jealous of your platelets at 107. Mine have been in the 70s before. Fortunately, they have been consistently in the 90s for a while. If 12 cycles is an arbitrary number, it is quite common. Do you have your questions prepared for tomorrow?

@tomrennie Yes, thanks. Going to see if they have any definitive answer for the best decision - continue with chemo or would stopping now affect the long-term outcome? And am wondering if it’s true that sugar feeds cancer, or has this been debunked.

For a time I also struggled with low platelets. Your doctor can order platelets for you!
Also, believe it or not, I began having a bit of very dark chocolate (80% or so) every day. I had heard this would bring my platelets up and indeed it did. I now always have dark chocolate in the refrigerator (very dark-not Hershey candy bars) and snip off a piece every night. No platelet problems since 2023! And yes, I am still doing chemo every 2 weeks.

PS-pls don’t let them stop chemo unless your CTDNA is reading 0. This cancer is notorious for rearing its head again. 💜

@gamaryanne I need to be more consistent with the dark chocolate. You suggested it a long time ago. I believe that it made a difference for me. It is also a nice nightly treat. Thank you.

@gamaryanne . Yes, why is pancreatic cancer so resistant over time! I did restart today, #9, lesser dose of 2 of the drugs.
As for chocolate - which I have always loved - cannot tolerate it any more. Same with coffee. I googled it, and it seems it's food with tannins that don't appeal to AT ALL, so off those for a while. The trial and error with food and drinks goes on.

@katieliz Glad you restarted. My husband deals with low platelets so they went from 3 weeks on, one off to every two weeks. On the Thursday before treatment his platelets are checked and if they are under 125 he gets a shot if Romaplastin to raise them in time for chemo on Monday. He’s on gemabraxane but I’m sure they could go the platelet shot with other chemos.