Jay Lake (jaylake) wrote,
Jay Lake
jaylake

[cancer] O, Magnesium, where is thy sting?

Yesterday I passed my blood tests and was cleared for chemo today. However, two items of note cropped up.

One, my neutrophil count is actually higher than the guidelines. Not by a huge amount, but it's noticeable. My oncologist isn't concerned, so I'm not, as insofar as I know I don't have any infections that such elevated counts might imply. In point of fact, with the chemo skip week, I feel pretty good.

However, my magnesium levels have dropped below minimums. I've measured 1.5 mg/Dl when the healthy norms are on a scale of 1.8 - 2.5 mg/Dl. See the chart below for trending. This is an expected side effect of my chemotherapy regimen. My oncologist has prescribed a magnesium supplement for me.

Plasma Magnesium Levels 2012-11-29

Of course, nothing is ever simple. The magnesium supplement and my Doxycycline do not get along well, so I cannot take it when I take my other pills. Now I have a lunchtime medication to go along with my morning and evening medications. Whee.

And of course, the potential side effects include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Not unlike my everyday life already.

Regardless, I'll be at the infusion center at 8:30 am today. Another weekend on the pump. Sigh.

Tags: cancer, health, personal
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