neulesta shot is a bummer

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  • Poppy
    Poppy Member Posts: 405
    edited July 2009

    I gave myself neupogen shots and had only "growing pains" type aching in my bones. Yes, it was annoying and I suppose painful, but it wasn't unbearable. If you're having trouble with neulasta maybe switching is an option to try?

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  • nelia48
    nelia48 Member Posts: 539
    edited July 2009

    I never knew it was the neulasta shot that made me feel like roadkill.  I wasn't a member of this group back then, so was clueless.  I jus thought it all went together with the chemo.  Wish I had known about the Claritan back then.  Maybe I would have had fewer days spent under the bed!!!!!

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  • anji111
    anji111 Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2009

    Hi everyone, I recognize alot of your names from different threads.  It's almost like seeing old friends!

    I have been getting the Neulasta shots every treatment, 3 now, and had a little bone ache the first time.  I had #3 yesterday and shot today so I'll have to wait and see.  Feeling really crappy right now.  The weird mouth taste and physically tired and fuzzy head and a bit sickly.

    I just have a couple of questions.  What exactly is the Neulasta for?  I can't remember.  If it's for your blood counts I don't know how it's helping me.  My third treatment was postponed a week because of low counts.  The week before I was really emotional and teary and angry.  Is that an effect from it?  Anyway I ended up having blood transfusions over 2 days.

    And to top it off, I was kind of late getting started with chemo.  This one a week late.  And they told me yesterday that the 2 doctors at our clinic are going on holiday at the same time and my next treatment might be postponed because they're having trouble finding a replacement doctor.  I'm getting a little fed up with everyone being so, I can't think of a word, just indifferent I guess.  What the hell are they thinking going on holiday at the same time!?

    I guess I just so want this to be done.  I have to see a Dr. on Monday about doing Rads.  I hope not but I would do just about anything for the cancer not to come back.

    Well, half done with the chemo.  I can almost see the light!  Really happy to see you all.

    I thought about trying the Claritan and Aleve.  I looked everywhere for Aleve and someone finally told me we don't get it here.  Guess I'm lucky I'm not having too much trouble.  That could all change too though.

    I hope I haven't been too much of a downer here.  I think I need to get some sleep!

    Take care everyone, love and prayers to you all.  Anji x

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  • anji111
    anji111 Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2009

    Just wanted to mention, my hair is gone too!  I can barely stand to look at myself.  But my husband says he likes my melon, I think he's crazy, but it helps!  Have a good night everyone!

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  • RajinCajin
    RajinCajin Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2009

    Ok, so I had my first Neulasta and guess what, i forgot to take the darn Claritan the day of.

    Got the shot on Friday around 12:30 and no less than 24 hours later was feeling like I had a severe case of the flu. Body aches, neck pain, swollen neck glands, just no fever. 

    By 4:35 Sunday morning, I had the most God-awful headache I have ever experienced.  From describing it, I have been told it sounds suspiciously like a Migraine.  It felt like a combination of a Severe Sinusitis headache with a really good dose of Tension headache thrown in for balance. Can't leave any of the head out, can we?  Couple that with Nausea and you had one really beaten down young (old) lady.  Spent Sunday in the ER on Dilaudid, left around 5 or 6, went back around midnight and was admitted.  Took CAT scan, blood work and lumbar puncture to determine that it looked as if I had an infection (wbc was over 20,000) but they couldn't find a source for the infection.  Was better buy Tuesday morning, released Tuesday afternoon and back at work in full swing on Wednesday. 

    My blood sugar and blood pressure was well within normal limits (diabetic and have High BP), so they couldn't even say it was that. 

    Will do my best to remember the claritan this next week during my second treatment and shot.  I will update as to how I feel. 

    PS. I have not started losing my hair at this time.

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  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited July 2009

    Hi Rajincajin- This thread seems to have slowed down and i just happen to notice a few more post here- Im so sorry that you have had that da... bone pain, it is terrible isnt it? Ive had to have the shot after every chemo and on some weeks inbetween too, my counts have been very low to and at one point it was actually 70,000 they are not sure if the machine made a mistake or not but after that it plunged real low, as for the bone pain the claritan did not help me at all like it has some woman, so had took pain pills, they changed the neulesta shot to the nupogen(sp) and give it to me over a 3-5 day period by the 3rd shot it sets in i just start taking the pain meds that morning to get  ahead start on it, it still is bad but the pain meds help might of been  worse like the other times. Hope you are doing better now, i notice you havnt been here long, the may marvels have been going thru it all of may with chemo come over there and we can help you with any questions you might have

    Anji111- Hope you are doing better, i have the melon ball head too LOL

    angel hugs to every one- debbie

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  • SoCalLisa
    SoCalLisa Member Posts: 13,961
    edited July 2009

    I just have to add my two cents I had that horrible pain with neupogen shots, so bad

    couldn't even raise my head from the throbbing...but then, I discovered since I was giving

    myself the shots, I tried only a half dose...it worked and I had very little pain...so the doctor

    agreed with me to do that for the rest of the chemo...what a relief..

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  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited July 2009

    Hi Socallisa- Wish i could of done that, i asked onc if i could only do 2 shots since the 3rd shot is when i got bone pain he said yes, but when i did blood test the 2 shots didnt bring up my counts so had to have the 3rd one, wow, you must be brave to give your self the shot! i dont even look when they work on me lol!  hopefully this will work for other people ((( hugs)))

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  • RajinCajin
    RajinCajin Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2009

    Hey there Debbie 6122 - just wanted to let you know, as bad as the first neulasta shot was, is as good as the second one was.  From one end of the spectrum to the other.  I took my claritan (after verifying with my HemOnc that it would be ok, and I took Aleve and Zofran every eight hours without fail.  The worst I got was the achy flu-like symptoms of shoulder neck and swollen glands.  I am so happy I could jump for joy, if I didn't know it would tire me out entirely.

    Got my second chemo this past Thursday (through the port this time, thank God) and neulasta on Friday.  The day after, my hair really started letting loose.  Now, not by the handfuls, but by 12 to 15 strands at a time while washing my hair with baby shampoo.  So, I decided I would take that decision right out of the cancer/chemo's hands and buzzed all my hair off.  Feels kind of weird, and my head stays cool, but I can live with it, because this time, it was my decision.

    Everyone, stay safe, God Bless you all! Will update on Thursday what my bloodwork shows.

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  • t9jorda
    t9jorda Member Posts: 39
    edited July 2009

    Hi there ladies, I too had this lovely drug back in 2007.... hell on wheels .... the only relief I got was to walk like an old lady, very slowly for hours on end, pacing... I called it "the move your ass" club to bring some ha! ha! to it... I had read somewhere that all of the treatment drugs given to you responded better when we are able to oxygenate our blood cells via increased movement of any kind... so I walked with tears rolling down my face, and the more I moved  the less I hurt... I followed this with hot baths, and I got sleeping pills.  The sleeping pills worked better for me at night as it knocked me out enough to rest... if you are not getting 8 - 9 hours of sleep during this period of time, you need to ask for sleeping pills.  Sleep is a critical for your healing.  I can not put enough emphasis on this... sleep is like a bank account, and if you deplete it, it takes a long, long time to refill the account, it is so important to try to get enough sleep during this trying period of treatment.  Make this a priority.

    The other comment I would add to this, is I swear the that within a 24 hour period after having one of my shots, that a very minor bunion I had on my foot totally changed shaped... it was the weirdest and most painful thing that happen, it heaved upwards like a volcano.  So during periods right after the shot, make sure you wear very comfortable footwear...  I just had surgery 5 weeks ago to fix this issue (sawed my bone in two, took a cheese wedge out, and they pinned the bones back together - today is my first day out of the cast)...

    I hope maybe my insights help you in this journey.  Life is good... tj

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  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited July 2009

    Hi Rajincajin- How did your blood test come out/ ok i hope? I think that is great that you just went a head and shaved your head before your hair started coming out in clumps, mine was starting to matt together so i knew it was a matter f time so  my dh buzzed it day after birthday, i remember i cryed but it dosnt even bother me any more, and i knwo it will grow back thicker and better than it was, it was already thick so i guess i dont want it to much thicker, but at least it will be healthier.Hope your chemo went well and little SE from shot!

    Hi TJ- LOL on the move your a$$ club!! Oh my gosh, that bunion sounds terrible what you had to go thru- OUCH!!!  So far the only thing that helped me was pain pills, wish the claritin and other over the counter things worked for me like it did you and some of the other ladies, but i have my last chemo tomorrow so i hope i wont need the shot on wensday- we will see!, thanks for the info!

    hugs to all debbie

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  • RajinCajin
    RajinCajin Member Posts: 16
    edited July 2009

    Hi Debbie,

    Bloodwork gets drawn this coming thursday.  My most recent chemo treatment was much better than my first.  Still had the same nausea and dizziness on the day of, couldn't work, slept instead.  The aforementioned headache from the first treatment, never made an appearance, Thank God.  No hospital, just took my claritan, aleve and anti-nausea meds like clock work. 

    I can only hope and pray that all my other rounds produce the same results. 

    The only lasting effect I have at this time is tiredness.  My iron levels are a little on the low side. Not so much they are worried, but just enough, it seems to make me tired, just from walking from the car to the building, or between buildings during lunch to get to the cafeteria.

    As to my do, everyone at work loves it. The first day I wore a cap, but everyone said, you look lovely without it.  Such a perfectly rounded head.  Hmm, never thought my head would be as rounded as they say it is.  I hope it looks just as good bald!  PS - How'd your chemo go today?

    T9jorda,

    I too have sleeping pills (actually Xanax for anxiety [mostly for my hubby] and insomnia), and while I truly understand the benefit of good rest, I simply can't bring myself to take them during the week.  I am so worried about the possibility of not being able to function normally. I do still get good sleep, I just wake up when I have been in one position too long, or need a bathroom visit.   

    As to the Move your A$$ club, I sure felt I joined that today.  I was moving back and forth between the bathroom for a good 2 hours today.  When they say constipation or diarrhea, they didn't say you could have both in the same day did they?

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  • debbie6122
    debbie6122 Member Posts: 5,161
    edited July 2009

    Rajincajin- my chemo went ok, today, was a long day and think my chemo brain has already set in compared to the last ones that took another day or so after infusion, had the same thing as you with first constipation then diarrhea, so must be one of the lovely SE we get, hope you are doing good and feeling better

    angel hugs debbie

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  • anji111
    anji111 Member Posts: 65
    edited July 2009

    Congrats Debbie on having your last chemo! Smile

    Everyone else, I hope you're all well and having few SEs!

    I get to go for my #4 treatment tomorrow.  I'll be over half way done - with chemo anyway.

    Have a great evening.

    Anji x 

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