Neulasta with FEC (fluorouracil-epirubicin-cytoxan) chemo?

tessu
tessu Member Posts: 1,564
edited December 2015 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Has anybody been given Neulasta or another granulocyte growth factor (to reduce the infection risk) during FEC chemotherapy? I got it during my first half of chemo (Taxotere plus Herceptin) but it was not prescribed for FEC, which I just got first dose of last Thursday. It's not too late for me to ask for it; I just forgot to ask at the infusion clinic, I was so otherwise anxious while I was there

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  • Mamiya
    Mamiya Member Posts: 432
    edited November 2015

    Tessu, I got my first FEC about three weeks ago (next one is Monday). My MO said that they don't usually give neulasta with FEC because the 21 day interval is usually enough to bring your numbers up without it. However, I had low numbers with carbo/taxol so we decided that I probably would get neulasta BUT he wanted to "try" the first round without it. Well, that didn't go too well and I had dangerously low counts (WBC .6, neutrophils 0.04, hemoglobin 6.8 etc.) and ended up getting a blood transfusion and being pretty sick. SO, I am definitely getting neulasta this time. I get the first infusion on Monday, then I go Thursday for a 5FU "boost" infusion and (I hope) then they put the auto injector on so that it gives me the injection on Friday.

    By the way, how have your side effects been? I was pretty miserable for a solid two weeks and I am kind of dreading Monday...

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  • tessu
    tessu Member Posts: 1,564
    edited November 2015

    Notdoneyet: I had my first dose of FEC75 (that's what the high dose is called here) last Thursday and was scared, because the SEs from the three doses of Taxotere/Herceptin had me on my knees, and I had been told that was the "easy" chemo. But so far I've just been extremely tired. The long-acting antinausea meds seem to he working, and these new drugs did not cause the awful headaches that started with every Taxotere infusion and lasted a week and a half. Also, brain fog doesn't seem so bad. I know, early days. I was a little panicked, because apparently Neulasta isn't routinely given here with FEC, but I pushed for and got a prescription. Then during wee hours wake up, started thinking maybe there was a good reason they didn't usually give Neulasta with FEC... (maybe your brain also creeps over to The Dark Side when you can't sleep and you understand?). Well, luckily I got in touch with the oncologist-on-call, who saw I had an admit for fever and neutropenia despite Neulasta after my first round of chemo, also that I'm getting the high-dose FEC, and she said yes definitely take the Neulasta!

    I honestly do not know what I would do without the support of these forums. I am still in shock over my life being cut so short so suddenly :(

    Thank you so much for answering :)

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  • Mamiya
    Mamiya Member Posts: 432
    edited November 2015

    Tessu, you said "I am still in shock over my life being cut so short so suddenly :(" BUT WAIT!!!! Your life hasn't been cut short, you don't know that. Keep working through treatment and have a positive attitude. People do this then go on and live long and full lives. Let's be those people!

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  • tessu
    tessu Member Posts: 1,564
    edited November 2015

    Thanks for the words of encouragement :)

    Hmm kayb, my treatment is only three cycles Taxotere/Herceptin, three cycles FEC75 --- those three weeks apart ---- then Herceptin every three weeks for 14 more doses...I guess every place does things different. The fact that you were treated way back in 2010 (!) is very encouraging to me.

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  • countryfrenchrose
    countryfrenchrose Member Posts: 48
    edited November 2015

    hi I got nulasta after my first AC dose I got the robot device for the injection at home 27 hours later. But I wound up in ER day 7 anyhow neutropenia 1.3 Wbc platelets 83 etc fever 101.5 one week In hospital just got out. Some debate about wether the device delivered the nulasta but I did feel it and it did leave a small bruise where it injected into my belly so anyhow I got my second AC dose one week late and went back to clinic to get my nebulasta IM injection in my arm for sure so I will keep you posted if I get another neutropenia bout

    The whole episode was rough. The took out my port a cath and the worst experience yet was a PICC line placement so painful

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  • tessu
    tessu Member Posts: 1,564
    edited December 2015

    Bracing myself. After my first FEC I did take Neulasta then 5 days later got a weird rash and started having breathing difficulties. They cleared slowly; I ended up in the ER with a lung CT showing NO blood clots or obviois lung tissus issues, so my MO wants me to take the Neulasta again this cycle, despite the company's website stating do not take it if you get those symptoms....MO said she would otherwise cut the chemo doses if I refused Neulasta because of the sepsis risk --- nope, no dose cuts, not with my aggressive cancer.... Soooo, I have my go-to-hospital bag packed, an EpiPen by my side, and husband agreeing to stay in the house within earshot should I get anafylaxis....Wish me luck :

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  • Calcon
    Calcon Member Posts: 21
    edited December 2015

    tessu,

    I had FEC100 back in 2008 when first diagnosed. I was prescribed Neulasta after the second round of chemo because my neutrophil count was borderline following the first chemo. I continued to take the Neulasta until the end, i.e. sixth cycle. It really helped keep my bloodwork at an acceptable level, though I had significant side effects from it. Good luck with your treatment

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