Starting chemo September 2014

Can I ask a question about the Neulasta?  I've been given so much information that my brain is overloaded, I'd love to have some real world experience. I've just had my first infusion on 9/9 and I'm trying to better prepare for the next round, and I'm trying to determine which SEs were from the chemo itself and which may have been brought on or exacerbated by the Neulasta.

Are the side effects always just "bone pain"? That's really all the doctor indicated to me, and I didn't experience any specific pain in my bones, so I didn't think to start taking the Claritin. But by the third day I was feeling increasingly bad, headache, fatigue and generalized achiness, very much like the flu, only worse. It finally dawned on me that the Neulasta injection might be more of a contributing factor than I thought so I started with the Claritin. Within 24 hours I was much improved, but that might just be the timing .

Does this make sense? I'm going to talk to the doctor about it when I see him in a couple of days, but I thought I'd try and get some feedback from the people who really know what this feels like. Thanks.

Robin - after my 2nd treatment I went into "Chemopause" as of August I had not had another one.  I have now had a hysterectomy so I am DONE!

syblisketo - I would say you are suffering from side effects of the chemo - I was generally irritated the first week and my lowest day was #7 when the pain from the neulasta took over.  I had not taken the Claritin as I had been advised here.  By day 9 I was feeling 95% human!!  Keep taking the Claritin and if you are feeling queasy use your nasuea meds.  My favorite quotes from my first week when I went in for my 2nd herceptin infustion from my Dr and favorite nurse:

Dr "Do not be a HERO take the Oxycodone"

Nurse K "They do not offer those drugs because they are out of Tootise Rolls."    

Does anyone know if I should push myself to exercise?  I had the A/C last Monday and all I've been doing is sleeping, eating a little and resting.   I went to church Saturday night and food shopping yesterday w. Dh and both wiped me out.  There is a senior class at my gym layer but I would really need to push myself to go.

Thanks travlmom. I did the claritn and although I felt the bone pain, it was only bad a few times.

Sybilskelton- My husband has offered to get me some but as a former cigarette smoker, I think its a bad idea for me. But rock on if it works for you! 

Today my joints hurts, feel like I've done a million jumping jacks & lower back pain...maybe from 4-5 days of being able to do nothing but lay around?? My nose is running like a siff & its so dry! My head is on fire & hurts...today is day 6 after my TCH. I've also had a hard time keeping hydrated as eventually everything tastes gross. I've also lost 9 lbs. No complaint there! Anyone else experiencing this??

ZJ - Push yourself a bit to try to take a walk for a short while every day. But you don't have to push to go to the gym or anything like that unless you really feel up to it. I know there are plenty of women who are able to keep going at a pretty 'normal' pace, but not everyone is like that - I'm sure not! Our bodies are going through a heck of a lot of punishment right now as it is.

A&C was rough for me but I have to say a lot of it had to be the Neulasta SEs. I felt like I had the worst case of flu, then got run over by a truck. Every inch of my body ached, even my skin. 

The 12 weekly Taxol/Herceptin infusions weren't bad compared to the A&C & Neulasta.

So yesterday was the day! My first chemo administration. It went very very well, and time seemed to pass by quickly. I had a loading dose of herceptin, along with my taxotere and carboplatin. Pre meds were pepcid, 50mg of benadryl, 10mg decadron, and a dose of an antiemetic that lasts for 3 days. I forget the name of it right off hand, but so far 0 nausea. I did take a compazine last night though,  I was on a decadron high and could not sleep. For home meds they gave me zofran, phenergan, AND compazine to help battle nausea and vomiting. They wanted to make sure I was well prepared.They also invited me to come in for IV fluids if needed from time to time, because that can help if I am feeling nauseated and the meds do not seem to help.

Dry mouth and nasty taste is what is happening so far. Trident with Xylitol is helping with that.

it seems like it took forever to get here, but had first chemo today, decadron, emend, and then adriamycin/cytoxan, do they really have to make the adriamycin red? The infusions went smoothly, for which I am thankful, I had visions of allergic reactions swimming thru my head, I was drinking fluids the whole time, trying to ward off evil mouth sores, got thru almost 64 ozs, yay me, came home had lunch, and then a knock on the door, it was a delivery man with 2 dozen long stem pink roses from my husband, I AM a lucky woman, cancer aside, of course, this FIGHT is ON, I'm one step of many, many steps on my way, I CAN do this, and so can all you September Ladies! 

Hang in there,  ladies, we can do this. Even though I've already said it three times that I want to quit! Here I sit in the oncology ward. Admitted last night because they thought I might be starting neutropenia. Thank goodness I am not, dehydration and lack of nutrition (nausea) caught up with me. But then they say--but again, we can rule out neutropenia. REALLY???? Pick a theme people!!  I am perfectly fine if I just sit. But with the bone pain, who can do that!?

So, I am shedding more. Today is day 7. My biggest issue is it feels like my head is on fire in spots and almost like I have hives. And oh the itching!! Anyone else experience this burning; if so, how far into your treatment??

I'm certain you look fabulous with your new "do" Amy.  Great thoughts for you all!!

Amy, Your updated picture looks lovely!

Amy, love your new profile pic. I admire your positive attitude and taking control of it. One more week till our second infusion. Stay healthy!

Started my first treatment this Monday 9/15.  Neulasta injection  9/16.  I haven't had any side effects yet, except for flushing of my face the next day. I will have 3 more treatments, I'm taking them 3 weeks apart.  Hoping to not have to nausea and vomiting side effects.  My meds are Cytoxan/Taxotere.

IDC Stage I ER/PR+ Neu2-

0/2 nodes

BRCA-

1cm tumor

UMX 8/15/2014 with Tissue Expanders

My doc suggested Zyrtec for the bone pain.  I took one the day of the Neulasta, yesterday 9/16/2014 and he suggests to continue for 5 days.  I have slight back pain this morning, but anytime my body starts fighting anything my lower back takes the hit first.