msrobin58, I wish I could give you my nausea meds that I haven't needed. From what I've read on these boards, TC must be less likely to cause nausea. Of course that's not to say I won't need them after chemo #2, but I think the Red Devil must really be hard on people.

After brushing my teeth this morning I noticed that there were many single hairs scattered in the sink. I lost more strands as I ran my hands through my hair. I wasn't expecting it quite so soon (14 days into AC chemo) or so suddenly, but today was also tentatively Day 1 of AC Chemo 2 and I had bigger things to worry about - namely, would my WB neutrophil count be high enough to go ahead with infusion?

Well I'm happy and grateful to report that the Neulasta finally kicked in and my neutrophil count (the part of the total WBC that fights infection) went from .03 to 6.1 in 5 days. A neutrophil count of 1.0 is required for chemo infusion, so Neulasta did it's job (albeit a little slowly. My NP says I may have "naive" bone marrow.) It was 2.9 before my very first infusion on 5/18, so Neulasta has really given even my normal count a boost.

It's possible that when I go in for a blood test in a week, my count will be very, very low again, but I'm willing to isolate myself for the rest of June if I must! Luckily, I work at home for the most part.

Greedy thing that I am, I'm hoping that Chemo 2 is a repeat of Chemo 1 in terms of other SEs. Fingers crossed for none. Wishing the same blessings for each of you. Hugs : )

P.S. MsRobin, Sounds like the change in your chemo treatments (from every 2 to every 3 wks) may solve multiple issues and provide time and justification for much needed SE meds. I too would gladly give you my Compazine and Lorazepam, which so far have gone to waste. So frustrating! I hope your insurer comes to the right decision - quickly. No one should have to suffer from debilitating nausea. Stay strong. We're with you!

Msrobin, I hope they get the anti nausea meds worked out for you.

Notanisland, my hair is coming out pretty quickly, too. I'd say at least 10 strands at a time when i just run my hands through it. Has your scalp been tender? Mine has been since Monday or Tuesday. When I saw my MO yesterday before my infusion, he said it was a little early for hair loss (in his experience, it usually comes out quickly around day 18), but since my scalp was already tender, he expected it to fall out quickly over the next 2-3 days. It is coming out much faster today than yesterday, so I expect that I will shed like crazy tomorrow and Sunday. I'm going wig shopping tomorrow, so that should be interesting. My MO's office just faxed a "cranial prosthesis" prescription so it will be dated before the purchase, and maybe I can get some reimbursement from insurance.

So, update on me: The Neulasta worked REALLY well for me. My WBC count yesterday was actually high, at 15.4. I feel very fortunate after reading some of the stories on here. My SE from infusion #2 have been pretty much the same as with #1. No nausea, but I'm tired. I do seem to have the steroid rosy cheeks today. I don't know if I just didn't notice that last time, or if I didn't have it. Other than that, so far so good! I'm glad to be 50% done with AC, and 25% done overall!

Yes, lovepugs, the start of my hair loss was preceded by slight scalp tenderness, and it happened very suddenly. Up til day 13 I had no hair loss, barely even normal hair loss. Guess the tide has turned! At least we know the chemo is working!

I have a wig that needs thinning and trimming which my hairstylist will do for me on 6/12 when she returns from vacation. She was also going to cut my chin-length hair much shorter, but in 10 days that may not be necessary! When I feel the need to, I'll start wearing scarves out. But because I'm playing it safe while I see if the Neulasta shot I'm receiving today works faster on stimulating neutrophil production, I don't expect that I'll be attending client meetings in the next couple of weeks. My main clients have been very understanding and so far have had no problem with communicating with me by email. I'm very fortunate. No deadlines missed, most beaten.

Glad the Neulasta worked so well for you! If I hadn't had my labs done on Day 9, I would never have known that my neutrophil count was .03 (total WBC 1.6) at nadir. I had planned to attend a luncheon that day, and instead got sent home from the onc lab with a face mask and antibiotic soap! Off to get my Neulasta shot now. Wish I could do something to improve my body's sensitivity and reaction to these drugs - but even the pre-chemo steroid doesn't affect me much - no rosy cheeks!

After 2 really good days, day 3 & 4 kicked me down. Severe bone pain, tring the Claritin and ibuprofin. Seems a little better this evening so hoping tomorrow less pain. Did have to take anti nausea med yesterday and today. Also got out the stool softness and miralax. Feelng a little bummed, but hope it's just temporary. Enjoying the day with family at the lake.

BJI, next time try taking the Claritin 30"-60" before Neulasta. That's what I was told to do and haven't had any bone pain. Also told to take Tylenol or Advil too if needed, but I haven't had to. Not sure I would have had bone pain at all, but I continue to take the Claritin every 24 hrs for 4 days just to be safe (at least it can help with my hay fever). In your case take it as long as you have pain. Nice that you're enjoying family time at the lake

notanisland - is Neulasta the one you get put on you after chemo and then 24 hours after chemo it starts to inject the medicine in you? Do you feel the needle?

MomAngel, Yes, Neulasta is the cartridge thing they stick on you when you are finished with your infusion. Some people have to drive back to the cancer center to get an injection of Neulasta instead. The cartridge makes that step unnecessary, as the cartridge automatically dispensed the drug 27 hours after your infusion was done.

The cartridge thingy is really clever. They peel off a sticky backing and then they have 3 minutes to stick it on your body (either your arm or your tummy) before it automatically inserts its needle. It barely hurts, just a little snap. The thing inserts a needle in your flesh, then a tiny catheter stays in your flesh and the needle withdraws back up into the cartridge. So you walk around for 27 hours with this thing blinking on your tummy--it has a little neon green light that blinks every couple seconds to let you know all is working okay. If the light turns red, you're supposed to call the cancer center.

There is a little window in the cartridge that looks like the thing on a pregnancy test stick. It shows whether the cartridge is full or empty.

27 hours after you finished your chemo infusion, the damn thing starts beeping at you!! (Surprise!!) then it starts clicking and the green light blinks faster. This is how it acts when it's dispensing the drug. Takes about 45 minutes or an hour. Then it beeps again to tell you it's done. You're supposed to check the window and make sure it indicates empty. The light will be solid green at this point, no blinking. You won't feel a thing. When you are sure it's done, you're supposed to peel it off like a band aid (make sure to look at the diagram they give you, peel it from the correct end first). When it's off your body, you can see the teeny tiny little catheter at one end of the underside of the cartridge.

They tell you to check for any leaking, and let them know if it doesn't dispense properly or leaks.

All in all, it's a damned clever little thing!! Oh, I have a picture of it. I don't know if we can post pix on here. If not, private message me and I'll send it to you.

Everybody recommends you take Claritin for a day before and 5 days after the Neulasta injection to avoid bone pain. I did, and I had no pain whatsoever.

I had them put my cartridge on my tummy because I usually sleep on my back.

Let's see if I can send a pic of Neulasta cartridge. OMG! It worked! This is what it looked like after I peeled it off my stomach. Like the cute little green light? Haha

My MO doesn't require a blood test except before each chemo, so I'm guessingthey just assume most people will need it.

hi notaisland - I have tried them and they work somewhat but the accupuncture was more effective for several days...

Love pugs me 2....4 to go....this too shall pass!

I have a blood draw before each chemo, so I'm assuming my WBC was low enough that I needed it

HapB- I am scheduled for blood draw each week before infusion, no discussion about Neulasta being used.

HapB: I'm being treated at MGH and was prescribed neulasta. I have my 2nd treatment tomorrow and will discuss with my MO to see if I can skip it.