Back pain after chemo and first neulasta

Addie29

okay so I started chemo on 4/21. It was a/c. I had my first neulasta shot 27 hours after and about a week after that I started to get some back pain. Nothing bone crushing just enough to feel and make me use bengay or a heating pad. I worry about bone mets. All my blood tests are absolutely 100% normal. Should I mention it to my doc? What are the chances the cancer moved that quickly with only being stage 1a grade2? My husband says Im over reacting. I did sleep propped up for over a month and didn't have good lumbar support and I know surgery can be harh on your back and muscles. And I've always been prone to back pain. Can chemo and neulasta cause back pain

inks

I don't know if you had a mastectomy, but my mastectomy changed my posture. While I did not take as long as you to recuperate from surgery the shift in weight caused me some back pain. Pain from Neulasta last usually 3-4 days after the shot and for most people it affects the large bones that produce the most marrow. You should mention it to your MO but I hope it will subside on it's own.

ml143333

That is totally normal.  You will feel the effects of Neulasta in your bones about a week after the shot.  Try taking Claritin a day or two before your next chemo and about 3 - 5 days after your shot and see if that helps.

You normally feel the Neulasta in larger bones like the sternum, hips, etc. the most.

Addie29

I did have a bilateral mastectomy. And my posture has really changed because I have tissue expanders put in. I've had the back pain for about 15 days now that's why I was concerned. I'm just super nervous about it because I just found out a friend of mine is stage 4 after completing chemo only 7 months ago. Yes she was a higher stage and grace than me but I worry about every ache and pain now. It's not just in one area either. I can occasionally feel it between my shoulder blades and in my mid to lower back. Last night I kept having muscle spasisms in my back so I'm thinking it may be muscular also.

KBeee

Addie, The Neulasta gives me back pain and muscle spasms in my lower back too, which can knock you about flat on your back. I did notice mine were worse when my potassium was low, so MO has allowed me to take some potassium. I do take Claritan too. For soem reason, my back pain seems to be days 3 and 4, go away fro a few days, and then resurface or a couple days about a week later. I hope you get relief.

Addie29

thank you. It's been about 2 weeks. It hasn't been continuous and isn't excruciating just enough to notice it. And it doesn't help that I've been doing a lot of twisting and turning to try to crack my back and it just won't crack. And these tissue expanders are not helping matters.

pajim

Addie, the "rule of thumb" is that any pain longer than two weeks should be mentioned to your doctor.  Say something at the next chemo treatment.

It could be the neulasta.  Many women complain of bone aches. 

Addie29

I mentioned it and he wasn't too concerned. He said you had a very good outcome with surgery and you got the cancer out early. He said yes your fears of it spreading are understandable but he ultimately thinks it's fine. If it continues then we will look into it. It's been feeling better actually. And I think it was a mixture of everything because my next muscles were also tight and sore. Maybe it's just time for a new mattress lol

klanders

or time for a really good chiropractor and massage therapist!

Addie29

I was seeing a chiropractor before my surgery but now I have tissue expanders In and can't lay flat on my chest- real bummer. Also I wasn't sure if I could get a massage without laying flat either. I'm sure I could ask.

DaisyQ

Hi Addie,

I got a massage last week. I have been having back pain similar to what you are describing (and I have TEs too). My massage therapist used rolled towels to make me comfortable lying on my stomach. The massage really helped!

I hope I get past the fear every ache and pain can create. It makes me frustrated that I spend time worrying about recurrence. Cancer has taken enough of my days.

Be well!

Addie29

that is an awesome idea. I may contact someone about a massage and a pedicure. Someone told me not to get my cuticles cut because of the chance of infection. Have you heard that? I bet that massage felt wonderful. A lot of my pain is between my shoulder blades. And that's where is was before my cancer and tissue expanders. These things have done horrible things to my posture. Thank god I only need 2 fills before my implants.