Claritin and Neulasta Pain?

cblue715

Can anyone tell me which Claritin is suppose to help with Neulasta pain?  Is it Claritin or Claritin-D and how often should I take it?

Blindsided

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I took Claritan and never had any neulasta pain after my 4 shots. I took it the day before my neulasta shot, and continued to take it once a day for about a week.   (unlike most people, my oncologist wanted my neulasta shot to be  2 days after chemo, and I also injected myself, which was actually very easy) 

I just finished 4 rounds of TC 3 weeks ago.  While many people complain of mouth sores and dry mouth from chemo, I had the reverse: hyper salivation, constant runny nose and constant post nasal drip, resulting in a constant hacking cough.  The claritan was a miracle cure for these problems too.  Good luck with your treatments, hopefully you will be pain free!

Shrek4

I tried regular Claritin and Claritin D. I understand they helped a lot of the ladies, but they didn't do a thing to help with the Neulasta pain. Neither did any of the mild OTC remedies. I ended up taking percocet for about three days after every Neulasta shot.

dlb823

Regular Claritin -- not the D, which is for decongestant, which you don't need.  And I found Target's store brand worked just fine.    And as Blindsided said, be sure to take it before you get the shot, as well as after.  I took it about an hour before my shot and for two or three days following it.   Deanna

Anonymous

What is Neulasta Pain?  I have only had one shot on Jan 26, 2011, but haven't had anything I think I should complain about.  What to expect?

debbie6122

Pekwd- i had the nuelasta shots every day for 5 days after each chemo which they did in my stomach it wasnt bad at all,  just tell then to warm it up and go slow when they put it in, i didnt feel it- its the pain you get later that night and for a few days after that was terrible for me, it was a painfull feeling going thru my back and chest and every part of my body, i know claritan did help some of the ladies here but not for me, i had to take pain pills it was the only thing that made it bareable, if your white and red blood counts dont go down and you have no problems with your blood work you may not even need it, sounds like you havint had any pain since your shot so maybe you will get lucky and sail right thru it- some woman dont need anything at all and if you do hopefully claritan will work for you but ask your dr for some pain pills incase the clairitan dosnt help I even thought i was having a heart attach and called the er she explained what the nuelasta and nuprgen does act like that on some but pretty sure you would of had pain by now you may not at all i hope not- Good luck with your treastment (((((((((hugs))))))))))))

riley702

The Neulasta stimulates the bone marrow, so can cause bone pain. Like the aches of flu, only worse. Claritin helped for me. I took it the day before, about an hour before the shot, and the day after. I also did the generic; I think Wal-Mart's. Also, some ladies got their Neulasta shots in their arms and it really hurt. It hurts less in a fleshy spot like your belly or butt, and they need to not push the med in fast, because it's thick and giving it fast hurts more.

Sherbear

I didn't do Neulasta, I was on 7 days of Neupogen instead due to insurance stuff (it's the same, but the Neulasta is only one shot after every chemo where I live).  Had headaches, backaches, and my thigh bones were killing me so I took constant epsom salts baths and a magnesium drink called natural calm or something like that.  Really helped.  Also, my throat was always sore and I felt ear-achy too.  I dreaded those shots, but they do work.

bdavis

I had pain starting the evening of my Neulasta shot and it lasted all the next day... achy neck and shoulders and headache... I didn't take Claritin because I was already atking Allegra... shouldn't it work the same??

My pain was just the night of and the following day, and then was gone... and then two days later I had mild hip pain and a headache, and thats it... will have next shot next Thursday, so we'll see.

mamie65

I'm a newbie, just 4 days post first round of TC. Giving myself Neupogen shots every day for ten days. Thanks to wonderful input, I figured I'd better take Claritin to offset bone pain. Took one the night before, three hours before injection, and daily since, which I will continue as long as I'm taking Neupogen. Just have slight twinges that move around different bones so far. It's worth a try! 

Hippiechick

I have had neulasta shots one day after each round of chemo.  I survived A/C and have 2 rounds of taxol left (next one is Tues) I agree with the other ladies that the pain post neulasta is severe.  They give me a claritin at the clinic before the taxol but I have not taken it at home. I usually end up in bed for 3 or 4 days after tx.  Oxycodone helps a bit but does not completely take the pain away. Sometimes I cry because the pain seems never-ending. I just want to be done with chemo.  Rads should be a breeze after this.  Hang in there, gals. 

MarciaM

RE: Neulasta Pain and Migraines

Everytime I get a chemo I have to go in for the neulasta shot. As soon as I get it the horrible bone and muscle pain kicks in; but worst of all is the migraines from neulasta.  That has been really hard because they never end; going on for about a week. I have a prescription for migraine that I have to use round the clock as well as taking Codine 3 for the bone and muscle pain.

I don't like the shot but it would be devastating without it.

I use claritan every day and it never helped with any of this; sorry to say.

Kstillie

I've just had my 2nd Neulasta shot and have taken Claritin but still have pain. I'm also being horribly reminded that my heart races like crazy when I take Claritin (not to mention the steroids probably contributing to that). I think I'll stick with the pain meds for the few days after the shot. We'll see how next tx goes. Do you get the shot with Taxol as well??? </p>

volleymom77

Zyrtec vs Claritin does it matter which one. I have taken Zyrtec for my allergies, however when I took Claritin before cancer it made me ache, so I don't know what to do? Please advice needed.

SpecialK

Claritin (loratidine) is the only drug that has been studied, but all allergy meds contain antihistamine, so not sure.  I think it is important to take it an hour before the injection and to continue for several days.  If you have SE from the Claritin, or it does not prevent the pain, Aleve seems to be the best OTC med for pain relief.

cjgriggs1

Take CLARITIN, not CLARITIN D. I took it for 5 - 10 days after each neulasta shot. i find it is also helping me a little now that I am just on herceptin and also getting some bone pain. not the same, but does help.

Beatmon

Hi. I'm on of those Claritin didn't work for. Had to switch to Nuepogen and it was much gentler. No problem with my wbc

Beatmon

Hi. I'm on of those Claritin didn't work for. Had to switch to Nuepogen and it was much gentler. No problem with my wbc

BeautifullyBroken4284

the pain from the Nulasta is so bad I'm on my way to the emergency room waiting for a ride now. They gave it to me yesterday. I never want this shot again. My oncologist said go up I called. Took Claritin, took two oxconde 5's too. No relief. Omg worst pain imaginable.

Midwest_Laura

Beautifully Broken: you need to let the Claritin build up in your system.  I usually start the Claritin on Tuesday morning in preparation for Thursday chemo and Friday Neulasta.  I keep taking it through Monday, just to make sure.  While it doesn't completely take away all of the pain, it makes a world of difference.  I did the first 2 rounds of AC without it.  The pain was terrible.  So glad I found the Claritin solution. 

Hang in there.  Keeping your white blood cell counts up really matters.  Get through this round and try again with the Claritin next time.  You can do this.  Stay strong.

SpecialK

It is also possible that at least some of your bone pain is actually from the Taxotere - this is a documented side effect. As Midwest said in the above post, you need to start the Claritin (regular, not Claritin D) prior to the injection, preferably at least the day before. For some reason it does not help if you take it afterward, I did that for one of the six I received and it was the only time I had bone/joint pain during chemo, even though I took the Claritin only 30 minutes after the injection. The antihistamine in Claritin is thought to help control the edema in the marrow that is produced by the rapid expansion caused by the production of white blood cells. Because Claritin is a 24 hour drug, it does not get up to full strength immediately so you need to give it a chance to become effective prior the injection. You may find more relief from an anti-inflammatory like an NSAID rather than narcotic pain reliever, and warm baths or showers - good luck!

MinusTwo

Beautifully - yes do take regular Claritin at least one or two days before your chemo. It won't help you after the fact. But keep taking it for 3-5 days after the neulasta shot. Hope it works better next time.

BeautifullyBroken4284

hey ladies. Thank you all for your responses. The day hisbpast friday when I went in for my chemo follow-up along with more fluids and steroids. My dr made the decision then to do the Nuelasta. She gave me the Rx for the Claritin at the same time. So I had no time to be able to take it before hand. I was fine at first and then Saturday afternoon at 2pm it hit hard. I although in thinking this is post 10 of my first chemo treatment, (in regards to the taxotere. I'm going to mention this to my oncologist with my next appointment is 4 days.) I took two of the pain pills they gave me which is 10 mg's of pain meds. It doesn't touch it at all. By the time I called the dr on call it was 5pm. He heard two sentences out of me and said that I needed to go to the energy room there. I called a friend to take me as driving was completely out of the question. My Pain controlled the entire half of my body so badly I could even walk. Upon arriving to the er I say for 2 mins before a nurse called me in. She asked why I was there while taking my vitals and history. She ended up making a page over head and I was brought right back in a room with a heart rate of 150, and a blood pressure that was intensely high because the pain was so awful. They were not even able to contain it so I was admitted to the hospital with two hours and kept for 2 days, which I have to say, I lost a day because I'm having a hard time remember much of that day. I was discharged and sent home with very specific instructions on how to control the pain. A new handful of medications that's for sure. Along with rest. They had said what I was going through was one of most rarest side effects of the Neulasta shot. Which is the intense bone pain. That I can still feel but I can manage with it here at home.

{I have to ask if this also is normal for anyone else; or if they had the same denial I did. I honestly have to I was in complete denial about how the chemo was going to affect me. Knowing what I know to expect now means a huge reality check for me. I honestly before I found out about having cancer I took naps as a daily thing. I got the the point I think of denial about it all the I kept pushing through and didn't stop like I was on 100 cups of coffee with refusing to nap. } constant go and not stopping. I know now I was complete denial of the whole situation and the effect chemo would play on me. Lessons this first round have significantly an eye opener to me as well as a slap in the face reality check. Now I truly know what to expect and to do things right my second round. Although I'm sure I'm going to learn so much more then too.

MinusTwo

Beautifully - sorry to hear about your reaction. I've been on & off these thread for 6 years and have never heard of this reaction. Hopefully your round two will be better.

Denise-G

Beautifully, I've talked to many women who have had severe reactions to chemo. Some times the dosage has to be lessened or drugs need to be changed. Since Taxotere causes allergic reactions in some woman, it is not rare.

Often things go much better the second time and certainly sending prayers that this will be the case with you. But please make sure you talk with you MO before infusion and really express your concerns and what you experienced!!!

Micmel

~Beauty~ I know what the bone pain you're talking about with the neulasta shot! Mine was not as severe but it had me off my feet writhing in extreme pain for days, I failed to take my Claritin, something I would never do again. I learned to just take the claritian daily , because it helps with the medicine arimidex as well that I take daily. I started taking it a few days before and after, but found it works so well that I just take it daily. Arimidex causes all kinds of joint and muscle pain It's crazy. I really hope you're doing well. I had a reaction to abraxane where my throat closed and those nurses seemed to have capes to help me. Shout out to all wonderful nurses that help us!! Get a lot of rest, that's what helped me. I know you most likely get as much as you can, but be kind to yourself. Stay strong. ~M~

Artista928

Regular Claritin. I can't say if it worked or not because I didn't wait to find out. Just took it morning of shot and for 2 days after and never had bone pain.

HappyHammer

I was told to take Claritin and Naproxen for 5 days starting the first day of chemo each time...neulasta as the next day.  All was well and no bone pain until round 4- forgot to take them day of and next day of chemo.... had some bone pain but it was alleviated once I started the Claritin and naproxen. After that, had to do about 7 days rounds 5 AND 6.  Well worth it.

Micmel

Artist~ I would think it's safe to say if you felt nothing, the Claritin might have helped. I wouldn't stop taking it , because the side effects are a doosey. Hope things continue to go well ! ~M~

solitude

I've had such a tough time with side effects of my first round of chemotherapy. The first few days not so bad and then it hit me. I'm not sure if it was the docetaxel or the neulastin injection. Bone pain was severe I finally had to call the nurse to get a prescription to help reduce the pain. Im considering taking claritin before and after my 2nd round. I'm very nervous about going back and was seriously considering stopping treatment.

Micmel

sol~ if you mean the Nulasta shot, make sure you start taking the claritain three days before the shot along with Aleve. I had the same horrible bone pain, it's awful!!!! I just finally broke down and I take it every day to fight any inflammation of allergic issues i may have. It has helped tremendously. The first few rounds of adjustments are hard but it does get better. I'll keep you in my prayers.

~M~