Neulasta

Hi JKreyn...I've just finished 6 rounds of chemo with Neulasta injection after each.  We discussed the "on-body" as an option for my last cycle (3-day weekend in the way), but I ended up having the regular.  From what I can tell, there is really no difference, but the "on-body" does offer the convenience of not having to go back to clinic for the injection.  Here's a link that might help:  http://www.neulastahcp.com/neulasta-onpro/

As for bone pain, I was encouraged by my Dr. to take Claritin to prevent it.  I ignored that advice the first round, much to my regret. I took it consistently with the other rounds & had no or very little bone pain.  They suggested starting one to two days before Neulasta.  Note that while it can be the generic form, it does need to be loratadine (as opposed to another antihistiamine). People may come on and note that there is no clinical data to support that this works, and AFAIK, that is still true.  But my experience was the same as a whole lot of other anecdotal ones: it worked.  Good luck.

Over-the-counter (OTC), so no RX needed. You want the 10 mg tablets; ~$5.00 for a box of 60 of the generic tablets.

Could not agree more!  Do be sure to clear with with your medical team.  Sorry for assuming that everyone was in the U.S....

Like almost everyone, I got my injection at the oncologists office, but because I finished my infusions on Fridays, I always went in Monday mornings for the shot.

I was almost hospitalized with pain the day after my first Neulasta, but I have a broken back and collapsed disks, which is where the pain was located. My femur was broken in half at the same time I broke my back, but the Neulasta did not cause any pain there at all, possibly because there is a rod inside it. Thereafter I was given a half-dose, which always kept my WBCs normal over the next 6 months.   No one ever mentioned an auto-injector or the Clariton, so I can't comment on those particulars.

Many people who have reactions to their first Rituxan infusion do fine thereafter, but the infusion nurse will no doubt apply it at a very slow drip rate next time, which also helps.  My point here is that she will very likely be able to continue Rituxan without significant (Rituxan-related) problems.

max

I have had the On pro one the last 3 treatments. The first 2 treatments we had to play catch up with my WBC so I had Neupogen shots 3 each time( 2 the first day and then 1 the next it was 2 weeks after the treatments so again it was after my counts had dropped.) I will say that with the Neupogen I was already off my 5 days of 100mg Prednisone and I ached like I had the flu and slept a lot the first 24 hours after each shot. With the Neulasta my shot was dispensed 27 hours after treatment. Not sure if it was the Prednisone I was on for 5 days but I did not have much discomfort until day 7 when Prednisone had left system. Then that was a day I ached like the flu and slept more that day. It has been that way after every treatment. I run a low grade fever that day and ache and then pretty much it is over. Maybe a little muscle aches every now and then. So far I have not had all the horror pains I read in the forums. I just think everyone is different and really just how to see how it goes. Prayers and well wishes that she has no ill effects. The Onpro sticks on pretty good so is uncomfortable to remove but really is not bad.

Sandy Ray

Jen, i had the Neulasta injector the last 4 of my treatments. I also had Rituximab and Bendamustine for Follicular lymphoma. I am currently in remission but am on 2 years maintenance with Rituxan infusiions every 12 weeks.   The only side effects I had with the injector were mild bone pain the first time. After that it didn't seem to bother me as much.  I did have problems with the area on my arm where the injector was placed but after a couple of days it was back to normal.  BTW, I also had a bad reaction to the Rituxan on my first visit.  They ended up stopping my treatment short but after that I never had another issue.  It was very scary, though.  Your Mom is so lucky to have you advocate for her.   I am sure she really appreciates it.  Good luck!