Is Neulasta, Tamiflu, or just chemo causing me to feel terrible?

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JeopardyLG
JeopardyLG Member Posts: 5
edited March 2018 in Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After

Feb 21, 2018

Hi - I received my first round of chemo last Tuesday (so it's been a week). On Wednesday I felt completely fine (my husband was diagnosed with the flu on Wednesday of last week so my oncologist put me on Tamiflu, and he is of course is too) and Thursday started to feel really bad. Friday through now I have felt absolutely terrible.

I have never felt so terrible in my life. I can't eat, I can't sleep, I feel sick at my stomach all the time, and the pain is everywhere all the time. This is torture.

Anyone else out there had to have all three of those meds (chemo, Neulasta, and Tamiflu) in their system at once? I also have IBS and take a daily probiotic. Just wondering what the problem is and if every round of chemo will be like this and for how long.

Thanks in advance.

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  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited February 2018

    Do you have a fever?? If not, it must be the meds. If you do have a fever, call your dr!!

    Did anyone suggest that you take claritan to offset neulasta discomfort?? It is known to help !!

    Hope both you and your husband feel better SOON!!

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  • Beatmon
    Beatmon Member Posts: 1,562
    edited February 2018

    I am so very sorry. You sound so miserable. Call the Doc. You may need fluids

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  • JeopardyLG
    JeopardyLG Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2018

    Thank you ladies. I went to the doc and he said everything was normal because my bone marrow is trying to grow new white blood cells and making my bones hurt everywhere.

    I'm finally sleeping a little better but my sleep cycles are completely off. My husband is still suffering from the flu so it's been a rough week. Thank you so much for your support.

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  • JeopardyLG
    JeopardyLG Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2018

    **************Update******************************

    This is Jeopardy LG's daughter here... she is so so so sick after her 2nd round of chemo. She hurts everywhere and cannot move. Hasn't gotten out of bed in 5 days. Every motion, every sound makes her nauseated. She is barely taking in any liquids or food at all.

    My dad is taking care of her 24/7 and can't even cook food for himself because the smell of food makes Mom sick. He's almost ready to hospitalize her just to get an IV of fluid in her.

    She tried to prepare better for this chemo by taking Claritin ahead of time. Worked for a couple days after then she got sick again.

    Is this normal???? Anyone else have it this bad? Maybe it's her IBS in combo with the chemo/Neulasta?

    ANY help or thoughts would be much appreciated. Thank you ladies!!!!

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited March 2018

    I’m so sorry your mom is feeling so awful. Chemo affects each of us differently, and we can never fully prepare for what it may be like for us.

    Claritin should be taken the day before chemo, day of, and for several days after (I took it for 7 days each cycle, just to be sure). I had an especially painful reaction when doing Taxol/Neulasta, and had to request pain meds to take for a few days after each cycle, even with the Claritin onboard. It helped enough that I could get out of bed and at least function.

    Cooking food was especially awful and made me very nauseous. I either left the house or we ate easy-to-heat meals like soup or Mac-and-cheese. Meat and fish cooking we’re out. 😕

    If your mom is taking her anti-nausea meds and still can’t keep anything down, she may want to see the doctor for IV fluids - they can often do them at the infusion center. And talk with the MO about the pain, it’s normal to have some but mot normal to have so much, and they can help control it.

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  • JeopardyLG
    JeopardyLG Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2018

    Thank you Nancy! I'll check on all you mentioned

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  • anotherNYCGirl
    anotherNYCGirl Member Posts: 1,033
    edited March 2018

    I am so sorry that your Mom is feeling so awful! Like Nancy, I took the claritan at least 7 days, maybe more. Also, - I dont know what chemo regime your Mom is on, but my first dose of AC left me with so many side affects, that my onc then split the treatment up, so that I didnt take the meds together. I had 3 doses of C after that, and then 3 doses of A, and then did taxol DD. I know that doses can be adjusted in most cases!

    Was she given Emend for nausea?? That is a HUGE help.

    Hoping to read on your next post that she is much improved!!

    Hugs from NYC


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  • klvans
    klvans Member Posts: 258
    edited March 2018

    Many people have I. V. fluids at some point during chemotherapy to offset severe side effects. You should contact the M.O. No one should suffer so much from chemo. Reach out to your Dr. and let him or her help you.

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited March 2018

    I felt worse after my second and third rounds of chemo. The only thing that was different was that Neulasta was added - the chemo meds had actually been decreased. I was taking Claritin, too.

    I ended up switching to Neupogen shots. They are not as convenient but helped me. It's worth a try for the next round.

    Meanwhile - I agree that your family should call the MO. Many people say that getting IV fluids made a world of difference. I'm sure there is an answer.


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  • JeopardyLG
    JeopardyLG Member Posts: 5
    edited March 2018

    Thank you everyone! My dad took her to the doc yesterday and they changed some of her medication. I will pass on the info about doing the shots though. That might be a good alternative

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