question about Neulasta

Had 4 Neulasta shots in total.  No problems.  Had mild lower back pain after the first shot.  Nothing after that.

I did take Claritin (one pill before each shot) at the advice of the Oncologist.  It prevents many of the side effects.  Several other aquaintenances of mine were told the same thing by their MOs so it wasn't must mine.

Make sure it's Claritan, not Claritan D. I had four Neulasta shots. No problems (and I am allergic to all kinds of medications too). I wouldn't have wanted to do chemo without Neulasta. I was glad I didn't have to worry nadirs, having to avoid people because germs, having to have chemo postponed because of bad blood work etc. etc..

scribblinhanna, I had two Neulasta shots during my A/C chemo when my white cell count dropped below the normal range.  Never noticed any pain, or anything different at all.  I guess we are all individuals as to how we react to various drugs.  You may have no pain whatsoever from Neulasta.

Some pain and additional dragging, but that was it.  I did 12 shots as had 12 rounds of chemo (AC+T).

I was able to give myself the shots which made everything much easier.

I would do the Neulasta again even if not required (was part of the chemo study I participated in).  It was wonderful not to have to worry about infection, whether OK to eat runny eggs or pink steak, when I sliced my thumb instead of the potatoes, and other mishaps.  Plus I could eat raw fruits and veggies.

I never got sick and all went OK with chemo.  That was really worth the extra precaution. - Claire

Hi Scribblin!

Yes , something to worry about, for those of us that have autoimmune disease. I have RA/Lupus for a long time.   For 2 yrs, i did Remicade, so used to IV's every 6 weeks. Had a allergic reaction to that one, as well as chemo and the port.  They always pre-medicated with IV Benadryl and steroids, prior to Remicade infusion.....which helped the little bit of psoriasis i have. They do the same now for my chemo...so it's like 4 bags pre-drips IV, 2 anti-nausea meds also

I never was an allergy person, but this has been the worst allergy spring season, hi mold, grass pollen , etc.....all the spring rain.  Unless this is something i developed from chemo, or with age. So every day i take or tried, Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra ( all generic now)...And still need oral Benadryl, and nasal mist.  So i welcomed Benadryl IV, since allergic reaction while getting chemo.

I never noticed joint pain from Nuelasta, and you are right we are used to joint pain, and it's not just and old persons disease, RA./ especially hard on the JRA, little kids getting RA

I am able to continue my methotrexate, 6 pills a week, 2 celebrex a day,  and Plaquinel, but not biologics, so that helps the joint pain.  I wish Aleeve would help, but doesn't, and NSAID Relafen, is cheap, but darn it Celebrex is working better, but the cost is horrible. I ask for samples, if they have any. 

I just graduated by a/c chemo, going to start Taxotere July 17th, i might still need the Nuelasta, we shall see

First chemo, my WBC dropped to a 1, it was a 3  yesterday, and i haven't needed a hydration IV, electrolites were really good, i eat ice cream, !

Take care , keep in touch, to talk about the RA and BC

MidwestDogLover, I never had any pain from the two Neulasta shots I was given.  At the time, I was taking A/C chemo, neither of which drug generally gives joint or bone pain.

As an aside and which is often not even noticed, is that along with your head hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, most chemo patients lose the hair in their nose -- hair which normally blocks much of the pollen, mold, dust, germs, etc., that we inhale.  Could that have something to do with your worsened allergy season?

Carol

I didn't have any side-effects of pain with this shot. (AND I self-administered it. No need to make a special trip to the doc.)

Some guys and gals take Claritin before, the day of, and a day or two after. I passed on that as well.



We are all so different - but try not to be scared. Lots of people do just fine with chemo and the other meds. You are going to find more of the problems here because those who have trouble come seeking help.



Hoping for no or little side-effects for you.



Whatever you choose - keep moving daily and drink lots of water daily - no matter what. The activity and the hydration make a huge difference.

Everyone is different. For me it WAS worse than the chemo and lasted for about 4 days after each of 8 rounds of chemo. I took Vicodin and then Percocet ( was allergic to that one I discovered) I still screamed out in pain for many days alone while my fiance was at work) My WBC also fell to 0 every time and was hospitalized one time for fever 101F. On the other hand I had a co-worker who never once complained of pain. She was such a godly person her belief was so strong. Well since mine I have returned to god and find it so much comfort. It can be a very different experience for many. Just accept the prayers and good wishes as I am sending you. It too shall pass. Oh and I will add I did not become addicted either. Pain meds were created to help real pain so do not be afraid.

In the info about Neulasta at the main Breastcancer.org site there is this explanation about why Claritin is sometimes used: "Your doctor may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to treat bone pain caused by Neulasta. Neulasta helps the body make more white blood cells by stimulating the immune system, which also creates histamines. So your doctor also may recommend an antihistamine such as Claritin (chemical name: loratadine) – NOT Claritin-D – to ease bone pain caused by Neulasta."

• The Mods

I had my first infusion last Thursday and really did not feel that bad after the chemo, but about 10 minutes after the Neulasta shot I stared to fade. By midnight day after shot my shingles( which I have had for years and they break out at the base of my spine) where so painful I ended up in the ER for pain control that morning. I am not new to shingles but I am new to chemo and Neulasta so I am going to see my PCP and MO this week and find out how high I can go on the anti-virals , I think had it not been for the shingles the pain would not have been as bad and I did not take Claritin, wondering if I should for round 2? It is not part of MO protocol but he ok'd it if I wanted to.



Shary🌞