Has anyone used the neulasta delivery kit?

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mom2boo_and_buzz
mom2boo_and_buzz Member Posts: 149
edited December 2015 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

My Onc office gave me the choice to come back the next day to get the neulasta shot or use the new neulasta delivery kit, where they load up a on body syringe that is programmed to release the shot after 24 hours over a 45 minute period. I like the idea of not having to drive all the way back to the Onc for a 5 minute visit since it takes me 30 minutes to get there. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with this.


Thanks!

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  • Suze72
    Suze72 Member Posts: 21
    edited September 2015

    Hi mum2boo and buzz,

    I used Neulasta at home during chemo over the first half of this year. Mine was a preloaded syringe with an automatically retracing needle that I injected into my thigh. It was easy to use. I haven't heard of one that injects over 45min so I can't help you there, sorry. I'm glad that you have been offered this amazing drug though. It was a bit sore at times when my bone marrow went into overdrive but well worth the peace of mind knowing that one is developing a whole army of defence cells!

    I wish you the very best with chemo and throughout the rest of your BC journey.

    Suzette 😊

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited September 2015

    Yes, I used the onbody injector...it was a breeze! It felt a little like a rubber band snap when first put on and the cannula inserted. I felt nothing at all the next day when the dose was administered.

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  • Kicks
    Kicks Member Posts: 4,131
    edited September 2015

    What's an 'on body injector'? Never heard of it. But thankfuly it's been 6 yrs since needed neulasta.

    Is it implanted like a port?

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited September 2015

    Its a temporary device which is applied at the time of chemo...either on your abdomen or back of your arm. It has a sticky adhesive pad on back. Its programmed to automatically deliver Neulasta 27 hrs after its applied. Through a series of beeps and indicator lights, you're notified when your dose is being administered. There is also a gauge so you can monitor the level of the dose as you're getting it. Once completed, you take it off and throw it away.

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited September 2015

    Here's what it looks like. I always had mine placed on my abdomen so I could see it to monitor the lights and the gauge.

    image
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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited September 2015

    That is awesome. I wish I had had that option. Going to the infusion center the next day for the neulasta shot was a real pain in the you know what.


    MsP

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited September 2015

    For sure, it was so nice...I always felt like total crud the day after getting AC!!!!

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  • mom2boo_and_buzz
    mom2boo_and_buzz Member Posts: 149
    edited September 2015

    Thanks Ginger, I did decide to get it.I got it on my arm. I can see it in the mirror and my kids like looking at the light blink. The insertion was nothing. I just can't sleep on it or get it wet. That's a lot better than driving back there.

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  • GrammyR
    GrammyR Member Posts: 702
    edited September 2015

    Cool device that was not around in 2006.I injected myself at home from a preloaded syringe.as I was an RN. Man those bone pain side effects from it were worse than the chemo meds.

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  • mom2boo_and_buzz
    mom2boo_and_buzz Member Posts: 149
    edited September 2015

    gramm any suggestions for something to take for the bone pain?

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited September 2015

    mom2boo, I took Claritin the day of the dose and for a few days after. I normally take it for allergies anyway, but made sure I never missed those days..... the antihistamine is said to help with the bone pain. I also took ibuprofen for muscle pain occasionally, but mine wasn't severe....you may want to check with your MO on what pain reliever he/she recommends. Good luck!! :)

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  • Spookiesmom
    Spookiesmom Member Posts: 9,568
    edited September 2015

    how VERY cool!! I thought the description sounded like my insulin pump. This can stay on 3-4 days, and get wet. How do they charge for the copay, if you have one? image

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  • MsPharoah
    MsPharoah Member Posts: 1,034
    edited September 2015

    What's also cool is that the dose is injected mechanically over an appropriate time frame. When a nurse gives the Neulasta shot at the infusion center, you take your chances with injection site pain when they don't deliver it at the right temperature and slowly. I was lucky but only because I supervised them. LOL

    MsP

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  • mom2boo_and_buzz
    mom2boo_and_buzz Member Posts: 149
    edited September 2015

    spookiesmom I'll let you know when I get the eob. I am very curious as well! With my first infusion I'll meet my out of pocket max for the year but they should still itemize everything.

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  • GingerChi
    GingerChi Member Posts: 252
    edited September 2015

    The insurance advisor at my MO's office enrolled me in a co-pay drug card program with the drug company. My first dose I had no out of pocket, the other 3 doses I had a $25 co- pay. Otherwise, my co pay would have been $500 for each dose!

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  • mvspaulding
    mvspaulding Member Posts: 446
    edited December 2015

    I am hoping to get one of these for my chemo on 12/31. They said their office was supposed to get them in this week. If not I will have to drive farther away to another hospital to get my shot because my office is closed for New Years Day. Would be a lot easier for me with this device. Thanks for posting a pic of it.

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  • Mamiya
    Mamiya Member Posts: 432
    edited December 2015

    I have used it twice and it was easy!

    image

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  • LisaAlissa
    LisaAlissa Member Posts: 1,092
    edited December 2015

    Just a thought (about insurance).

    When I was reading this I thought about the Medicare insurance coverage for one of my Dad's rhuematoid arthritis drugs--which he gets every 4 weeks. It varies (spectacularly) depending on whether it's administered in a doctor's office or at home. At the doc's office, it's covered under Medicare Part B...and whatever co-pay applies. But if you do it at home, it's treated as Medicare Part D, and the drug rules apply.

    For him, getting the drug each month at the Doc's office costs $40 (his copay), but if he did it at home himself, the cost would be over $3,500.

    I don't know if similar rules would apply for this device, but it's definitely worth checking out in advance.

    HTH,

    LisaAlissa

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