A/C and neulasta

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backachedp
backachedp Member Posts: 132
in Breast Cancer #1

Tomorrow I start my Red Devil or A/C and have heard bad  things about the Neulasta shot.  I have been told that it causes more pain I am allergic to Benadryl and have never tried Claritin which is suposed to make the Shot not so bad.  I asked the Pharmasist if Claritin had any of the Benedryl stuff in it and if I could take it got a look like IDK....I also was told by the NP when you are on the A/C you must flush the Toilet twice with the lid down and sterilize the Toilet seat after using the Toilet.  Can anyone help me with my questions?  I am scarred of the A/C but did very well on 12 Taxol's.  I got numbness inn hands and feet tired but was able to keep working and went to work from Infusion Center.  I have read that some people can't drive after the A/C because of relex isuues.  Any advise would help me I feel like I am spinning and can't stop with all of my questions.  My Onco Dr has had to leave me after my last Appt because of a Code Blue and  the Appt before tthat she spendt les than 5 minutes with me I didn't get to talk because within less than 5 minutes another Code Blue.  I see a NP tomorrow and I feel like I need my Onco Dr not a NP this is a new one usually I see the same one and being my first A/C I have so many questions.  I am glad my Son is coming with me because I have also heard about Heart Damage from the A.C and I want to know as much as possible.  

Thank you to anyone who can help answer any of my questions.

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  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #2
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    Neulasta

    The bone pain that the Neulasta shot can cause really varies from woman to woman -- I know that some women have reported pretty significant pain from it, but that wasn't my experience.

    I did 4 rounds of T/C, a different chemo than you're doing, back in 2009, and had the Neulasta shot the day after each round.  I felt achey in my back and legs for a day or 2 after the shot, similar to the achiness you get when you have the flu, but it was never bad enough that I felt I needed to take anything for it.

    You just don't know how Neulasta will affect you until you try it for the first time, and I hope it's as problem-free for you as it was for me.

    Traci

  • Meme14470
    Meme14470 Member Posts: 30 Member
    #3
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    Neulasta

    I had 4 doses of AC with the neulasta auto injector, two weeks apart this past January.  All chemo affects each person different, but this was my experience:  I had pretty significant pain 2 days after the shot and had to take about a day of round the clock pain pills.  I have not heard about flushing twice or sterilizing the toilet seat.  The main side effect I had was severe mouth inflamation and pain in the mouth/throat along with "dry mouth" symptoms, I've been told this is a rare side effect but possible.  The mouth issues continued with 12 weekly taxol treatments for me.  I'm thinking if you handled the taxol very well, you will probably do ok with the AC as well.  I wish you all the best, and advise that you insist upon answers to your questions from your health care team.  I also found that i was able to get more detailed info from the PA (NP in your case) than the actual doc, they sometimes have alot of valuable info and sometimes have more time for you.  Good luck, keep us posted!

  • backachedp
    backachedp Member Posts: 132
    #4
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    Meme14470 said:

    Neulasta

    I had 4 doses of AC with the neulasta auto injector, two weeks apart this past January.  All chemo affects each person different, but this was my experience:  I had pretty significant pain 2 days after the shot and had to take about a day of round the clock pain pills.  I have not heard about flushing twice or sterilizing the toilet seat.  The main side effect I had was severe mouth inflamation and pain in the mouth/throat along with "dry mouth" symptoms, I've been told this is a rare side effect but possible.  The mouth issues continued with 12 weekly taxol treatments for me.  I'm thinking if you handled the taxol very well, you will probably do ok with the AC as well.  I wish you all the best, and advise that you insist upon answers to your questions from your health care team.  I also found that i was able to get more detailed info from the PA (NP in your case) than the actual doc, they sometimes have alot of valuable info and sometimes have more time for you.  Good luck, keep us posted!

    A.C Neulasta

    Thank you both for your advise

  • Kfish
    Kfish Member Posts: 11
    #5
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    AC and neulasta

    My regimen is ACTH which will take more than a year to complete. oncologist said we could schedule treatments every 2 or 3 weeks. for several reasons, my oncologist recommended 3 week cycle which allows an extra week to recover but delays total treatment journey. I've been very lucky to have very few side effects But I've picked up tips from other blogs that I am doing and want to believe help. I take Claritin 2 days before chemo and continue for a full week. it seems to help avoid bone muscle pain. I've had no pain. I also super hydrate by drinking 80 oz water starting on day before chemo and continue for 2-3 more days. This seems to dilute the red devil (urine is tinged pink orange and not full red). 

    The day after chemo is pretty much normal for me but the 2nd day, I need a long 4 hr afternoon nap. I'll wake to have dinner and continue to push water till bedtime. I will get full night sleep but have then felt fine over the weekend and no more need to daytime naps. 

    I just negotiated to reduce cycle to every 2 weeks For #3 and 4. I'm hoping I continue to feel as well as I have. My goal is to finish chemo by thanksgiving rather than mid-December. I'm anxious to have this journey behind me. 

    I hope my tips help anyone who reads this. Hugs to all going through this journey  

  • backachedp
    backachedp Member Posts: 132
    #6
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    Kfish said:

    AC and neulasta

    My regimen is ACTH which will take more than a year to complete. oncologist said we could schedule treatments every 2 or 3 weeks. for several reasons, my oncologist recommended 3 week cycle which allows an extra week to recover but delays total treatment journey. I've been very lucky to have very few side effects But I've picked up tips from other blogs that I am doing and want to believe help. I take Claritin 2 days before chemo and continue for a full week. it seems to help avoid bone muscle pain. I've had no pain. I also super hydrate by drinking 80 oz water starting on day before chemo and continue for 2-3 more days. This seems to dilute the red devil (urine is tinged pink orange and not full red). 

    The day after chemo is pretty much normal for me but the 2nd day, I need a long 4 hr afternoon nap. I'll wake to have dinner and continue to push water till bedtime. I will get full night sleep but have then felt fine over the weekend and no more need to daytime naps. 

    I just negotiated to reduce cycle to every 2 weeks For #3 and 4. I'm hoping I continue to feel as well as I have. My goal is to finish chemo by thanksgiving rather than mid-December. I'm anxious to have this journey behind me. 

    I hope my tips help anyone who reads this. Hugs to all going through this journey  

    A/C Nuelasta

    Kfish I will take any advise I can get.  I have no Claritin but can stop on the way home still not sure of I can take it due to allergies.  I am getting mine every 2 weeks.  I hope I have as good luck as you as far as pain and I have heard weakness.  I am going to drink drink drink to flush it out.  Thanks for your input.  can you message me some of the blogs if not that's ok I just don't know how to find them.  I am hoping to be able to sleep tonight every time I have Chemo I have trouble sleeping but the new chemo is mmaking me very nervous.  I also have to work Friday.  Hope a weekend of rest will be good and Monday I am doing well.

  • Iris_G
    Iris_G Member Posts: 50 Member
    #7
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    TCH & Neulasta

    backachedp...I was on TCH (taxotere, carboplatin, herceptin) and had the Neulasta shots for 6 treatments.  My onco told me to start taking Claritin 24 hrs before the shot.  I did and had minimal pain around my knee area just a couple of times.  I had my treatments on Wednesday, had the shot on Friday, and by Monday I was good to go.  I worked from the time of my diagnosis (July 2015) and all through chemo and radiation.

  • Puffin2014
    Puffin2014 Member Posts: 531 Member
    #8
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    toilet flushing

    I too was instructed to double flush after chemo (I can't remember if it was 24 or 48 hours) and to wipe the seat off with a sanitizing cloth since the chemo is excreted in the urine.

  • peony
    peony Member Posts: 306 Member
    edited August 2016 #9
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    I was told to double flush as

    I was told to double flush as well. With the top down.  I had the Neulasta shots the day after the Red Devil and I had no side effects from it at all. Every chemo journey is different.  Hope it's easy for you.

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #10
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    I had A/C, followed by Taxol.

    I had A/C, followed by Taxol.  The day after each infusion, I had a shot of Neulasta.  I did not notice any aching bones/joints until near the end of it all.  That achiness only hung around for a few days.

    Although I had friends drive me to chemo, I could have done most of those myself -- maybe not the last two times because I had to get an extra bag of benadryl and then some other relaxant (starts with D).  While I did chemo, I tended to have maybe three down days out of fourteen.  When I was feeling good, I was out and about -- locally.  Later I reined myself in more because of some of the effects of the chemo that had set in (cleared up once I finished).

    No one told me I had to do all those things to the toilet when I was on AC.  I did get warned that I'd pee in pink a few times at the outset AND that I was to drink a lot of water.

    As others have said, we may have the same disease and same treatments, but that does not mean that we all respond in the same way.  Places like this do give you a bit of an idea what to maybe expect, and then you are caught less off-guard by what may happen.

  • backachedp
    backachedp Member Posts: 132
    edited August 2016 #11
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    A/C Neulasta

    Well I did it, but it didn't start out as well as I hoped. The NP I was supposed to see called in sick so off for Bloodwork and the Tech could not get Blood out of my Port she kept trying and trying.  So off the the Chair and having someone my Chemo Nurse try she got it after laying me flat and pushing the needle in a bit.  I almost hate getting my Port accesed more than the Chemo part.  The one time I had no pain was when another Nurse accessed my Port,I do have the numbing cream.  Today I go get my Neulasta shot at 3pm.  I was told it would/could cause pain in my Low Back and Pelvis area I have had 3 Low back Surgeries and I have constant low back pain so hopefully it won't get worse.  I feel a bit of neausea, have Compazine and Ativan.  I peed ornage once asked about the flushing and sterilzing and was told not nessasary.  I will go to work today and leave to get my Shot don't think I will go back.  I will rest over the weekend and take it from there.  Thanks to all for your comments and experience.  I truly appreciate each one.

     

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    edited August 2016 #12
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    My experience

    I did not have AC, but I did have Neulasta after my last few treatments with Taxotere and Cytoxin.  I had a friend administer the injections, so I did not have to return to the Cancer Center for them.  I had absolutely NO side effects.  No pain at all - and believe me I was on the lookout for them.  So I had a good experience with Neulasta.  I typically felt like crap about day 4 after chemo anyway, but I don't think the Neulasta added to it - it was just part of the process.

    The toilet advice was included in my handouts.  It's really just a precaution for anyone else that you live with who would use the same toilet because the drug is in your urine for a couple of days after.  I did what I was told.  I did everything I was told to do! 

    You'll be fine seeing the NP.  Ask all of your questions.  If there is anything that requires input from your oncologist or something you're not comfortable about, send him/her an email.  Or call.  Or ask the NP to check with your oncologist and get back to you.

    Chemo is just plain scarey.   I remember all too well being overly concerned about this or that.  This is a new experience for you (and most of us) and you should not feel uncomfortable calling at any time.  We're all different and all have different responses/side effects.

    Good luck to you.

    Suzanne

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