Neulasta injection

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  • Gabrielle
    Gabrielle Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2010

    I gave myself the neupogen shots daily for 10 days following chemo.  Being able to give myself a shot in the thigh was one of those accomplishments I conquered during this (&*&^%) journey which made me feel like I could, now, do anything....bring it on.  I was a quivering crying mess the first time I did it under the supervision of a nurse and by the end of 4 months, a pro -- injecting myself in my bathroom under the "supervision" of a Jesus statue my dad had given me.  :)

    I had such bad pain in the legs and groin that I really didn't know if it was the shots or the adria/cytox/taxol.  Didn't really matter...it all hurt.  The best I ever felt was in the last few days leading up to the next chemo. 

    But, once chemo was over....no more pain.   

    Best of luck to you -- this, too, shall pass.

    -Gabrielle

  • Gabrielle
    Gabrielle Member Posts: 73
    edited January 2010

    ....oh, by the way.....once the chemo was over and I was into the 5-week radiation....I used to go to aerobics class after radiation (I was 44 years old).  Radiation was a walk in the park compared to chemo.    :)

  • AnacortesGirl
    AnacortesGirl Member Posts: 1,758
    edited January 2010

    I'm sold on the neupogen.  My SIL, who's an RN, supervised my first two injections and then I took it from there.  Had to do about 24 of them on taxol/sutent and now I give myself 6 a week while I'm on AC.  I'm sure you wouldn't have to do anywhere as many as I do -- I'm on a trial so it's the AC protocol that requires this many shots.  But I give them in my tummy.  I've never had a side effect.  And it does wonders for the WBC.

  • Readyforliving
    Readyforliving Member Posts: 5
    edited January 2010

    I had to administer this injection myself the day after chemo, and i was a little apprehensive at first but once i had done it I was ok.  Chemo for me was not too bad, I was Ok the day of and the day after because I was on the usual anti sick, but it would get me the second and third day after, make sure you drink plenty of water to flush it out of your system quicker and also to reduce the possibility of UTI's. Gym would be OK if you were not doing it the day after generally you will have to see how that goes and see if you are up to it once you start your chemo.  I had six cycles and to be honest each one was different with its side effects. I hope that this has helped and wish you all the luck and best wishes for the future.x.

  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited January 2010

    Neulasta shots are part of the global study I am participating in.  So give them to myself on Day 2.  Make sure I get my long walk in first as consider them Part 2 of the 1-2 punch.

    I would say I get mild general achiness which I sometimes take Tylenol for and sometimes just put up with.  Worst though is that Neulasta further depresses my breathing which makes exercising more difficult.  But I do it anyway.  I make a point of clearing out my lungs and pushing through it.  I always win.

    Achiness is mostly in my chest and knees.  I am grateful for the Neulasta as has kept my immune system functioning and that I can eat normal food.  YAY!!!!

    This has been my experience with AC.  I have no idea how it will be with Taxol which starts in two weeks.  My last AC was Monday and I am thrilled to be done!

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2010

    I had the neulasta shots the day after chemo sessions.  They mostly just gave me an achy arm where the shot went in.  I played some tennis, painted my bedroom, and tried to get out to walk a few times. I think that was good but my advice is to only do how much exercise you can do comfortably.  Your body will tell you when enuf is enuf.  I think I really overdid it.  I can't imagine trying to go to a gym workout every night of the week !  You will know when you need to rest. 

      

  • tracydip
    tracydip Member Posts: 1
    edited January 2010

    I had a similar experience.  Mammo in March was fine and I found a lump in November.  It only took 3 days for the diagnosis but I didn't have a rare cancer, I had the most common....Lumpectomy, then chemo and radiation as my lump was 1.7 cm and it was a very aggressive cancer also triple negative to receptors.  My onc recommended 8 rounds of chemo and I believe I also received 4 different chemo drugs (it's been almost 3 yrs since I was diagnosed so I don't remember all the details, I like it better that way).  The actual chemo treatment took about 1 1/2 - 2 hours and in my onc office they had books, magazines, dvd's or I would bring something to read but usually ended up chatting with other patiets.  I didn't really think about when I ate as I was working and went on Thursday late in the day.  Friday I was good, Sat. a little 'chemo fog', Sunday was my worst day but when I woke up Monday morning I felt pretty good and went back to work.  Also had 7 weeks of radiation.  If the Dr. recommends chemo I say do it.  Neulasta shots I gave myself the day after each chemo and experienced some bone pain but it never got bad.  Make sure you have a good oncologist that you really like. My onc and his staff were WONDERFUL!!

    Good Luck!!

  • Lindae911
    Lindae911 Member Posts: 3
    edited January 2010

    I just finished my 6th Chemo treatment on Nov 5.  I rec'd a shot of Neulasta the next day after each treatment.  I was given a tip by a nurse and that was to take Claritin the day before the shot and two days afterwards.  It worked wonders because I did not use the Claritin until my second treatment.  I used the generic brand.  Everyone is different but good luck!  I will begin my radiation next month.

  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited January 2010

    I had the Neulasta shot the day after my chemo (TAC every 3 weeks, 6 rounds).....amazingly, I had no side effects from the Neulasta...but I did go for IV hydration the 3 days following chemo....could have never made it to the gym (with or without the Neulasta).....I was lucky to get out walking....as Kerry said, please remember that we all react differently.....you may just breeze through it all.....

  • bopeep
    bopeep Member Posts: 288
    edited January 2010

    Neulasta is very good for your because it keeps your white blood cells up, you will feel achey in your bones afterward, but this is a sign that the medicine is working, stimulating your bone marrow to make blood cells.
     
    I had one (1) neulasta shot and then I found out that my insurance wouldn't pay for it.  One shot cost $2500!!!  So I had to take Nuepogen instead, one shot a day for five days after chemo, except on weekends when the clinic closed.  As a result, my blood counts were low, I felt like shit, I had many infections and colds and had to take multi-antibiotics.  Never again.  I've changed insurance and if I ever do chemo again my Neulasta shots will be covered. 
  • HairSprayMom
    HairSprayMom Member Posts: 251
    edited January 2010

    I did nulasta shots the day following chemo also. I had some bad joint and jaw pain. My nurses told me to take Zertek sp? (the allergy med) 2 times a day the day before and 3 days after. It really seemed to help with the bone pain as strange as that sounds. I was also around my germy kids and I never got sick at all. You can get the med over the counter now for really cheap, it was still a prescription when I was doing chemo and was rather pricy, but worth every penny!

     Sending Love,

    Regina

  • janincanada
    janincanada Member Posts: 258
    edited January 2010

    I took the Neulasta after 5 of my 6 chemo's.  I didn't have any significant side effects.  With regards to the gym I did go--- I needed it for my sanity.  I wasn't able to do a lot some days but I felt normal.  I was very anal about cleaning the equipment.  I cleaned the cardio equipment before I used it and after.  I didn't do any wieghts as my Onc told me not to due to the port.  I did get into yoga and found that I enjoyed it.  It was good for my soul and my body.  I made sure to take my own mat to minimize germs.  I found that I was able to work out at a reduced rate throughout most of my chemo with the exception of when I was hospitalized due to a really low white blood cell count.

    Just listen to your body.....stay out of the pool and or hot tub and don't use anything you haven't cleaned.  I got some very funny looks going on an elyptical wearing a bandana or not. Sparked a lot of conversations.

  • stlcardsfan
    stlcardsfan Member Posts: 466
    edited January 2010

    I just started this journey on 1/13. Gave myself my first Neulasta shot on 1/14. So far so good.

    Just general muscle soreness. If someone is going to react, when do they react by? I keep reading about how bad the bone pain is, and keep bracing myself for it. I have been drinking a lot of liquids, mainly water, and it seems to be helping?

    Main sore spot is back of neck, right where hairline ends. 

  • jdash
    jdash Member Posts: 754
    edited January 2010

    I had no problem with the neulasta shots  actually i gave them to myself in the thigh (the nurse showed me how to do it   i never thought i could but it actually didnt even hurt)  as for the gym i didnt continue at the gym but i did continue to work as much as i could and kept my activities pretty normal thru all my treatments   i guess everyone has a different reaction to everything  hopefully yours will be fine like mine  big hugs and good luck

  • victoriasecret
    victoriasecret Member Posts: 333
    edited January 2010

    Feroza ...hi

    I also took neulasta after each chemo...no problem at all I would take a tylenol  before my nurse injected me about a half hour before , and then maybe another in 3 hours just to ward off pain,but did not really have any...no complaints..finished chemo Dec 7th all a distant memory already..if there was a discomfort could not tell if it was the Neulasta or chemo...as LIB  said very doable !!!

    ml C

  • feroza
    feroza Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2010

    thanks for the info on Nulasta - very encouraging - I feel much better knowing the unknown is not so painfull  -  I pray and hope I like you will feel the same without any side effects.

    Thanks for the comfort and strenght.

    Feroza

  • feroza
    feroza Member Posts: 16
    edited January 2010

    Nulasta is also covered under the victory program =  they assist financially for coverage where there is non. 

    SInce I have a coverage they will pick up the balance of 20 percent that I will have to pay.  It is linked with the Nulasta medicine and the program is run by AMGEN the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the injection.

  • Lifeisbeautiful
    Lifeisbeautiful Member Posts: 36
    edited January 2010

    I took my shot in the stomach and so far the only pain I've had from the Neulasta was the slight burn at the injection site right afterwards.  That lasted only a few seconds.  

  • laurak1
    laurak1 Member Posts: 27
    edited January 2010

    I got my first Neulasta shot this week. The aches in my hip and legs are very aggrivating.  Wish I would have called the doctor to get something stronger then just OTC tylenol.  Of course now its the weekend and will just have to tough it out I guess.   Hopefully the pain will go away soon.  Tired of sitting on a heating pad all the time. lol

  • shockedat39
    shockedat39 Member Posts: 252
    edited January 2010

    AAAAAHHHH....the Neubastard shot!  This post is a few weeks old so I'm not worried that I'm going to scare you.  I shudder at the word.

    I've been getting Lupron shots to stop my period and normally I get them in an exam room.  The other day, though, they took me into the little room where they used to give me the neubastard shot.  Made my skin crawl.

    That said, I know it affects people differently so I'm hoping that maybe you haven't had too bad of a time with it.

  • badgerfan
    badgerfan Member Posts: 4
    edited February 2010

    Hi, I, to am triple negative. I am taking A/C chemo 4 X every other week. I am deciding if I want the Taxol-and how it will be administered: 12X weekly, 4 X every other week or 4 X every 3 weeks.

    What kind of Chemo did you receive? 

  • clariceak
    clariceak Member Posts: 752
    edited February 2010

    I had A/C every other week, followed by weekly Taxol for 12 weeks.

     Initially I was offered dose dense Taxol, but once recommended 12x because I had such a rough time with A/C and weekly Taxol is supposedly gentler on your body.  So far (week 9) I have had very few side effects from Taxol and the treatments seem to going faster than I expected.

  • fighting4mykids
    fighting4mykids Member Posts: 69
    edited February 2010

    I took the Neulasta injection the day after chemo (my  husband gave them to me in my thigh at home). Like many other posters, I had severe bone pain that lasted for several days but a pain killer took the edge off when needed.

  • redsgirl34
    redsgirl34 Member Posts: 7
    edited February 2010

    I had Neulasta on the day following my chemo.  I had absolutely no side effects from it.  I didn't even realize that there were any. 

    Hope yours goes as smoothly as mine did!

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