Pain Meds

Do you also take Neulasta
Do you also take Neulasta injections the day after chemo? I also had TCH but the aching pains I had were not from those but rather the Neulasta shot. That could be why your Dr. seems to be blowing you off, because it is more of a side effect of Neulasta rather than the T, the C, or the H. I took ibuprophen for a couple of days each cycle. It didn't completely prevent the ache, but it made it much more tolerable. The problem with stronger presciption pain meds is that they have their own side effects, not the least of which is constipation, which in my case results in more pain that what I was taking the pain pills for.

TCH as well
I have to agree with NancyJac... it's likely it's the neulasta. So saying - are you keeping yourself properly hydrated?? That can be harder to do as you progress through the chemo cocktails. Also - get some exercise - walking is good - even if you don't really feel like it. Some effort expended to do so can help alleviate some of the discomfort. I just finished my years worth of Herceptin in April, and had finished the chemo cocktails (also 6) last July. I didn't feel as though I had extreme discomfort even from neulasta but I know that is NOT the same case for everyone. Hang in there - you WILL make it through.

zigman said:

Pain Meds
I have had one Neulasta shot and it was very painful. If I have to have anymore it will be the other one. I don't feel like I have a low pain threshhold but maybe you pink sisters are stronger than I am. I understand about the side effects of the pain meds. I would just like to have something on the really bad days. Thanks for replying to my first post. I have been reading the posts for some time now and have gotten some very good tips. Melanie, did you also have radiation? If so, how long did you wait after the chemo ended to start those?

Have to agree...
But if you've only one Nuelasta injection...I have't had any pain from chemo...I'm on my third round of having chemo and get the Nuelasta the day after...I do get some bone discomfort from that...lasts a few days...I would make your doctor listen to you..get it across that this pain is real.! You shouldn't have to put up with pain, regardless of the cause!

Wishing you pain free days...
Hugs, Nancy

Gabe N Abby Mom said:

Zigman, if you are taking
Zigman, if you are taking Neulasta or Neupogin I had a lot of success getting rid of the bone pain with claratin (not claratin d). I just took the generic, one pill a day starting the day before each neupogin shot, and continued for three days after the last neupogin shot. My chemo nurse checked with the pharmacist, who said it is recommended by the manufacturer for the bone pain.

Of course, check with your doc/nurse before adding anything to your routine. I hope you find a solution for your pain.

Hugs,

Linda

I hope that you can get
I hope that you can get something Zigman from your oncologist for your pain. When is your next appointment? Make them listen to you please.


Hugs, Leeza

zigman said:

Pain Meds
I have had one Neulasta shot and it was very painful. If I have to have anymore it will be the other one. I don't feel like I have a low pain threshhold but maybe you pink sisters are stronger than I am. I understand about the side effects of the pain meds. I would just like to have something on the really bad days. Thanks for replying to my first post. I have been reading the posts for some time now and have gotten some very good tips. Melanie, did you also have radiation? If so, how long did you wait after the chemo ended to start those?

bone pain
my daughter has terrible pain after having a Neulasta shot. It got so bad that she needed strong opiates to control it. It breaks our hearts to see her suffer so much.

avonldy said:

bone pain
my daughter has terrible pain after having a Neulasta shot. It got so bad that she needed strong opiates to control it. It breaks our hearts to see her suffer so much.

Hi avonldy
I hope your daughter is doing better today, please tell us more about your daughter. I'm new to this site also, but the people here are amazing. They can give you and your daughter lots of encouragement and experiences.
Blessings to you both,
Joyce

zigman said:

Pain Meds
I have had one Neulasta shot and it was very painful. If I have to have anymore it will be the other one. I don't feel like I have a low pain threshhold but maybe you pink sisters are stronger than I am. I understand about the side effects of the pain meds. I would just like to have something on the really bad days. Thanks for replying to my first post. I have been reading the posts for some time now and have gotten some very good tips. Melanie, did you also have radiation? If so, how long did you wait after the chemo ended to start those?

yep - radiation too
I waited about a month after the "cocktails" before I started radiation. I had read (somewhere) that a little break between chemo and radx could help minimize - no, could help lessen side effects from radiation.

I was VERY lucky and I did not have bad side effects from radiation. When you get to that point - do not, repeat do NOT use soap. In fact, stop using soap NOW. It is drying and you are going to have skin side effects anyway. I used Neutrogena Rain Bath. Neutrogena complexion bar would also be a good choice. They are not perfumed AND they do not dry the skin out. They gave me some sample of some cream (I can't remember the name of it) which I used ONCE. Let me rephrase that - I attempted to use it once. IT was stiff and difficult to apply and was said to stain clothing. WHY would I put something on tender skin that would hurt to apply??? I recommend straight non-colored aloe lotion that you can get on the cheap at the drug store. If they don't voluntarily give you some ask for Mepilex. It is a self-adhering you cut it to the size you need bandage that seems like moleskin. You may (read are very likely to) blister and the Mepilex helps cushion you from your own skin. Those little folds hold the heat and are the most likely place to blister. There is another product available on line called "coolmagic hydrogel sheet dressing. It is a little pricey but if you need it you need it and may want to look into it. I had the link ready but I never felt that I needed it.

After going through chemo (TCH) radiation was easy. It is NOT fun, nonetheless! feel free to contact me if you have any other concerns or questions. Or doubts. They may haunt you. DUMP them. A day above ground is a great day and the negative only makes things harder for you. Easy to say, eh? Walk the walk, baby girl and have as positive an attitude as you can hold on to!! That does NOT mean you can't vent here!!

zigman said:

Pain Meds
Thanks ladies for all your replies. I go Monday for my 4th treatment and I am going to talk to my oncologist about the pain then. I am aware of the problems that can result from the pain meds and will be very mindful of this. It really gets hard to keep your spirits up but I also know how fortunate I am to be able to have a fighting chance since so many do not.

Good luck tomorrow Zigman
Good luck tomorrow Zigman with your treatment. Hopefully, your onco can help you with your pain. Let us know.


Hugs, Leeza

DebbyM said:

Wishing you good luck too!

Wishing you good luck too!

I hope
that your onco has given you something to aliviate that pain which you are having. I agree that you have no reason to be putting up with that pain. During my 4rth cylce of chemo I, too experienced pain, but mainly on my legs. My onco did give me prescription meds for the pain. I did take them only when I couldn't stand the pain which seemed to be worse at night when I was trying to sleep.

After chemo I did have radiation and as they mentioned before it was 4 weeks after my last chemo. I found that the clear aloe gel did great for me. Btw, I started applying the gel 2 weeks before my first scheduled radiation throughout my breast and arm pit area. This I would do everynight. So, luckily I never got blisters like some do, but everyone is different. Hope this info will be of some help for you. Please let us know how your day went.

Hugs Hennie