Neupogen - how many shots?

NotVeryBrave

I've completed three of six scheduled TCHP rounds (once every three weeks). I ended up with Neutropenic Fever after the first round and was hospitalized for three days. They added Neulasta after chemo for the next two rounds and counts were good by next treatment.

However - after the last round I had some episodes of chest pressure or tightness on days 3-5, like nothing I've experienced before. It's not anxiety and it's not heartburn. And after the last two rounds, I've also had severe abdominal pains on day 6 or 7 (once with diarrhea).

I'm concerned that it's related to the Neulasta since that's the only thing that has changed (they actually decreased the chemo drugs by 25% due to my initial reaction). I had blood work done on day 9 this time due to my complaints about SE's. My WBC was 31,000 and my Neutrophils were 26,000!

I will be switching to Neupogen with the next round in hopes of less SE's. My questions to you all are: Anyone else had this experience? Are SE's less with Neupogen? How many Neupogen injections did you do? Did they test your blood during that time?

octogirl

I had five shots of Neupogen, one shot per day for five days, after each chemo round (four rounds). Blood was tested before each round. WBC stayed within normal range the entire time.The only SE I had was bone pain, but regular Claritin (NOT Claritin D) taken at the time of each shot seemed to do the trick for that. Hint: if you are giving yourself the shots (or in my case, hubby gave them to me, in the stomach/abdomen area) warm up the needle by taking it out of fridge about twenty minutes before shot (medicine must be refrigerated) and holding it in palm of hand: warming it up helped lessened the pain of the shot, which wasn't that much to begin with but less pain is always good...

I don't think you can assume that SEs are related to the Neulasta just because that is all that changed. Chemo is cumulative, and for many people the SEs get worse over time. I haven't heard of abdominal pains and diarrhea being a SE of Neulasta but they are a common SE of the chemo itself, so I wouldn't rule out that possibility even if it only came after several rounds. I had Neulasta with every round but had some side effects, particularly GI issues, only with the third and fourth rounds, and I am fairly certain it was from the chemo itself (T/C). Can't speak to the chest pressure or tightness, never had anything like that.

Good luck!

Octogirl

naturegirl2

My oncol. is suggesting Neupogen shots (he calls them a booster) since my WBC is a tad low for which I had to have my chemo delayed til next week. He didn't say how often the shots would be, but it seems it may be a one time thing, Neupogen and said that otherwise, it would be each day. From what I read on the SE's, I'm not interested in getting Neupogen. I'm just now feeling better from issues due to my cancer. Anyone out there getting Neupogen shots, monthly possibly and what have your SE's been?

NotVeryBrave

The Neulasta injection is usually only given once after each round of chemo. It can be a shot or the auto-injector. It's long acting.

Neupogen is the original, shorter acting version of the same medication. It's normally given as a daily injection for 3-7 days (sometimes more) after each round.

I'm getting the Neupogen shots (6) this round since I was worried about some symptoms I was having. I think I felt somewhat better after this last chemo. The shots sting a bit but not bad. No really worrisome SE's for me. I do take Claritin daily.

It's worth it to me to avoid another hospitalization or a delay in treatment.

NotVeryBrave

I just wanted to update this for anyone else who has these questions.

I had problems with getting the Neupogen last round due to insurance copay being very high. I ended up getting the shots for only 4 days at the office since they were closed on the weekend. Bloodwork showed a good, normal response. The following week showed the neutrophils had dropped below normal, but they improved by chemo time.

This round I am only receiving 4 shots - giving them to myself and not bad. No bloodwork is planned until before next chemo unless signs of a problem show up.

I think I've felt generally better since switching from Neulasta to Neupogen.