Neulasta shot in the wrong arm...

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Harley44
Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

Hi everyone,

I had a Neulasta shot in my arm which had some lymph nodes removed... I know, I should have told the nurse, but they should have my records, anyway, I forgot to tell her, and a few days later, my arm is sore!! 

What should I do to help relieve the pain?  I tried exercises from after my surgery, but they hurt now.  I found that massaging the arm seems to help.

Anyone else have any ideas?

BTW, I don't have lymphadema, but now I am wondering...

Thanks!

HARLEY 

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  • PixieDust
    PixieDust Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2007

    Hi Harley,

    Sorry to hear about your bad experience.  I showed my husband this post and he's really good with all this stuff you would practically think he was a medical expert! Anyway, he says you should have nothing to worry about since an intramuscular injection of Neulasta from a syringe sterilized to begin with would be highly unlikely to cause any complications.  The injection itself might cause soreness no matter where you got it. I have to say my doctor recommended that it be injected into fat such as thigh or butt, so next time maybe you would want to try there.  But as far as the lymphedema goes I wouldn't waste another thought on it.  You'll be fine!!  

    Here's some PixieDust*****

    Stacey 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007

    Hi Stacey,


    Thanks!  I was getting worried, because my fingers on the left arm were swollen, and I couldn't get my ring off.  It wasn't swollen too much. 

    I never had any trouble with soreness from the Neupogen shots, but I don't ever want to get them again, because it caused such terrible back (bone) pain!!

    I guess I'll just keep massaging it, and it should get better.  I was worried, also, that I would never get rid of the soreness... since after my mast, I was sore, but after doing the exercises for awhile, and then if it was sore, I just let it rest for a couple of days, and I would be alright.  This has been sore for a week and a half. 

    Thanks!  I feel so much better!Laughing

    Harley

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited September 2007

    Harley -  the massaging you are doing should be very very gentle ---  moving up your arm - the intensity should be like you're petting your cat.  The lymph system is just beneath the skin. 

    Doreen 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007


    Doreen,


    Thanks.  I am not rubbing it hard.  It is sore all along my arm, the inner arm, but not where the injection was.  I am just worried that it will not stop being sore.

    HARLEY

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  • PixieDust
    PixieDust Member Posts: 28
    edited September 2007

    Harley,

    I just created a thread here for medical alert bracelets.  First person I thought about was you.  Hope you are feeling better!

    Stacey 

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  • NPat
    NPat Member Posts: 485
    edited September 2007

    Harley,

    I would monitor the swelling in your fingers/arm. One shot
    CAN trigger LE.... sorry.... just like one BP taken on the wrong arm, hang nails, mosquito bites, sunburn.... I don't want to be an alarmist but most of my patients with LE do NOT have a cancer diagnosis. We need to be proactive and direct our care. This is done by being informed. Don't expect healthcare providers to be LE experts because 99% of them are not... I WAS one of the dummies until BC and LE hit. I was blessed to find a certified LE therapist who taught me the ropes... and I am still learning. LE occurs because of the inability of lymph channels to function properly and lymphatic fluid collects... Go to the LE information on this website and print out LE prevention precautions or go to www.lymphnet.org . Give these to your providers so they may be informed. I started a discussion question last year that you can find on this site... "What do you want nurses to know about LE?"  The responses were numerous. I printed out several of the comments and passed them out to attendees at a LE lecture I was giving to RN's, ARNP's at a FL Nurses Assoc meeting. Only one of them knew about LE, she had had BC and now uncontrolled LE. The rest were amazed and angry that this topic was not in any of their curriculum.  We HAVE to educate our providers if we want safe care.... The medical and nursing schools are lacking in coverage of LE in this country. Sad but true.

    Pat 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007

    Stacey,


    Thanks!  I saw an ad about bracelets, to let medical professionals know if you are unconscious and can't tell them.  It sounds like a good idea...

    Harley

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007

    Pat,

    Thanks.  The swelling in my fingers went away.  I get a little swelling in my fingers anyway, it is joint related... arthritis...  so who knows? 

    I know have to figure out how to stop the pain in my arm.  It feels like it could be bone pain.  I really don't know.  It isn't as bad as it was.  I guess I'll ask next week when I go for my next tx.  I'm sure they won't know anything.

    Thanks for the info.

    Harley 

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  • NPat
    NPat Member Posts: 485
    edited September 2007

    Harley,

    Ask to be referred to a certified lymphedema therapist. I send patients frequently to them if I am not sure if LE actually is present. They either begin treatment or call me and tell me that LE really is not probable. I have developed a great relationship with the LE therapists and they have been very helpful to me and my patients. Google "certified lymphedema therapist" and your area. Not all are listed on the national websites because they charge for the listing. Post back.

    Pat 

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited September 2007

    Pat,

    I am going to see my surgeon tomorrow, because even though it got better, and that arm was starting to feel normal, I woke up this morning with my left hand swollen, and my wedding rings were stuck! on my finger.  So tomorrow I go to see my surgeon, and maybe he'll refer me to someone...  He has been great getting me referrals to see specialists that I need to see.

    Thanks

    Harley

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