neulasta

The way that Neulasta works is that it stimulates the production of white blood cells in the bone marrow.  During this process the marrow expands - that is what causes the pain.  The larger the bone, the more marrow, the more pain.  That is why so many of us feel it in the pelvic girdle, legs, hips and back.  Generally, the first Neulasta causes the most pain because it is the first time the marrow is expanding.  Subsequent ones not as much usually, it is like when you first put on jeans and they are tight, then you wear them for a while and they stretch out.  Claritin helps with Neulasta bone pain because the antihistamine helps control the edema in the marrow caused by the expansion.  I have linked a clinical trial for this below (2nd trial entry).  Take a 24-hour Claritin (not Claritin D) an hour prior to the injection, then continue every 24 hours for several days.  Aleve also is supposed to be good (1st trial entry) - I just took Tylenol and took a very warm bath.  Of course, ask your oncologist if it is OK to take the Claritin and Aleve.

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01712009

http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01311336

Auralaine, you do know Claritin is available over the counter? Walmart, all the drugstores, and Costco all have their own store brand versions that work just as well and cost much less. Taking it now won't help nearly as much as taking it before and for about a week afterward, but maybe you can avoid such a bad experiece next time.

Auralaine, I had a similar experience to yours - horrible pain after my first Neulasta shot. I learned about the Claritin before my second shot (on this board, not from my oncologist), took it and the pain afterwards was much, much less. Also, as SpecialK wrote above, it gets better with each Neulasta shot, as your bone marrow gets "stretched out". I used the generic Claritin from CVS - just make sure you get the 24-hour kind, with nothing in it but the Claritin. Hope you're feeling better soon!

I too found out about the Claritin on this board and before my 2nd treatment a few weeks ago, I mentioned it to my MO and she said she hadn't seen anyone benefit from taking it. I tried it anyway and it worked for me. After the first shot I was in excruciating pain and took hydrocodone and ibuprofen along with using a heating pad for relief. After taking Claritin before and after the 2nd shot, I only needed a few ibuprofen on occasion. The Claritin made a huge difference for me. I will be sure to tell my MO that next week when I go back. Anything is worth a shot to avoid the pain that comes with the Neulasta.

Does anyone know how late after chemo you can get the neulasta shot? I know you are supposed to get it at least 24 hours after, but that works out for me right before my daughter's birthday party. Do you know if it's ok to do it around 40 hours after chemo?

Latte -- I was told 24-48 hours. I had to postpone chemo because I was unavailable the day/s I could get the Neulasta shot. So check with your doc.

My reaction from the Neulasta was so bad that I had to call 911 and was admitted into the hospital for two days.  They believed that my reaction to it was so adverse that it caused nerve damage.  Onc refused to give it to me again after that first time.  One thing about going through all of this stuff, be sure to tell your doctors of the smallest of reactions and side effects, they can lead to a much larger problem if left unattended.  Everyones body reacts differently to these medications so it is imporatant to share with your doctors any issues you are having.  Most of the times they can help pinpoint the problem or give something else.

Meek

Latte---glad you can attend your daughter's party!

I went for first chemo yesterday and therefore, first Neulasta shot will be today.  I asked my Onc if she could write a prescription for generic version so my insurance would cover it.  She hadn't heard about that but said it can't hurt and to let her know if it helps.  I got 30 for only $4 by doing it that way.  I think that comes out cheaper than buying OTC.  Just a thought that may help others save a few bucks, too.