neulasta shot

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pie
pie Member Posts: 19
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am going to begin chemo soon and part of the treatment includes receiving a neulasta shot the day after getting chemo. I live quite a distance from my oncologist so it would be difficult for me to go back the next day to receive the shot. I don't want to give it to myself and neither does my husband. Any suggestions?

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  • smalldoggroomer
    smalldoggroomer Member Posts: 1,184
    #2
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    Hi Pie
    I also get the neulasta shot. I drive a hour one way tho the Dr. but it is worth it because it helps to rebuild you white blood cells. And you don't want to get any infections that can put you into the hospital. But you can take the shot anywhere from 24 to to 48 hours is what I was told by the nurse. So if you cant make it the next day you can go the day after. The shot can have some side affects the good outweighs the bad for me. I just have some joint pain, a little bone pain, muscles cramps. Nothing to bad it is doable. Take care and the best of luck to you Kay
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    #3
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    I was able to get my
    I was able to get my neulasta shot locally. It just took some coordination between my local clinic, the pharmacy, and my treatment center. My treatment center is 1 1/2 hours away. Best wishes. xoxoxoxo Lynn
  • Hubby
    Hubby Member Posts: 325
    #4
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    Know any nurses?
    My wife has a friend who is an RN who administered her Nuelasta shots.

    Bob
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #5
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    Hubby said:

    Know any nurses?
    My wife has a friend who is an RN who administered her Nuelasta shots.

    Bob

    Hi Pie.
    Everyone is different, of course, but I had the Neulasta shot after my first 5 chemos and then because I was doing so well, my doc. decided I could skip the last one. Unfortunately, I ended up in the hospital for 5 days with an infection and high fever after skipping it that last time. It did cause some flu-like symptoms for me--bone and joint aches, but it does help to build those white cells back up quicker. I hope you find a way to get the shots after your treatments--just as added insurance.

    Hugs, Renee
  • MAJW
    MAJW Member Posts: 2,510 Member
    #6
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    Friends, etc...
    As someone said, do you have any friends who are nurses? They don't have to be an RN....an LPN can give it.. Or perhaps you could take it from your local family doctor's office.....IF all else fails, call the AMC and ask for assistance......

    Good luck and Peace be with you
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #7
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    MAJW said:

    Friends, etc...
    As someone said, do you have any friends who are nurses? They don't have to be an RN....an LPN can give it.. Or perhaps you could take it from your local family doctor's office.....IF all else fails, call the AMC and ask for assistance......

    Good luck and Peace be with you

    I never had to take it....
    My onc. didn't believe in giving it unless it was needed. She wanted my body to kick in and do the work naturally and as it happened I never had a low enough county to require it.
    Maybe you could ask to try it without the shot and see what your count does on it's own.
    I worked through the whole treatment as a 5th gr teacher so she was aware that I would be subjected to GERMS, but was not concerned. I never got sick once. I was very diligent about what I ate and drank, putting only the best of everything on my plate. One food that is high in iron that I was able to eat was venison. Don't know if you know any hunters, but I would highly suggest trying to secure some during your therapy.
    Good luck and God bless,
    Lorraine
  • Punkindo
    Punkindo Member Posts: 113
    #8
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    location
    If you get a choice, see if they will give you the shot in your belly (fluff). I had a friend that had hers in her arm and said that it was painfull. They did mine in my belly and I barely felt it.
  • tjohnson2310
    tjohnson2310 Member Posts: 168 Member
    #9
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    have the nurses
    Have the nurses teach your husband to give the shot.He can get comfortable by practicing first. Once he gives it a try you will wonder what the worry was all about.
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #10
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    tjohnson2310 said:

    have the nurses
    Have the nurses teach your husband to give the shot.He can get comfortable by practicing first. Once he gives it a try you will wonder what the worry was all about.

    Neulesta Shot
    Pie, the one thing you don't want to do is skip the Neulesta Shot. It is given for a reason, and that reason is to keep your blood count up, your immune system in tune, and your chance for infection less. Lots of times you can have the shot administered by your local pcp, the pharmacy where you generally pick up prescriptions, or even an RN any health professional in your area. Talk with your oncologist and see which is available in your area. I am sure they will work with you. Good luck, and know that you have lots of people behind you just waiting to help with any questions you may have. Hugs, Judy
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    #11
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    I had to inject it once to myself
    It was during the Holidays (Thanksgiving) and the office was closed on the day I needed it. So lo and behold, they ship it in a box. It was packed in ice...weird. Anyway a friend helped me inject it on my lower abdomen. It was pretty padded there so I really didn't feel discomfort.

    It's not easy but it can be done.

    Of course my preference is to have the nurse do it.

    Blessings,

    Sylvia
  • Kat11
    Kat11 Member Posts: 1,931 Member
    #12
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    sea60 said:

    I had to inject it once to myself
    It was during the Holidays (Thanksgiving) and the office was closed on the day I needed it. So lo and behold, they ship it in a box. It was packed in ice...weird. Anyway a friend helped me inject it on my lower abdomen. It was pretty padded there so I really didn't feel discomfort.

    It's not easy but it can be done.

    Of course my preference is to have the nurse do it.

    Blessings,

    Sylvia

    I was told do to the cost of
    I was told do to the cost of the shot you can not give it at home, has to do with insurance. I also traveled 1 hour to get shot. It's a pain but you have to do it and the way I see it it's best to have all you medical in one place. I only had the shot for the 4 rounds of ac. Good luck
  • grandmasueb
    grandmasueb Member Posts: 49
    #13
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    Kat11 said:

    I was told do to the cost of
    I was told do to the cost of the shot you can not give it at home, has to do with insurance. I also traveled 1 hour to get shot. It's a pain but you have to do it and the way I see it it's best to have all you medical in one place. I only had the shot for the 4 rounds of ac. Good luck

    I gave the neulasta shot to
    I gave the neulasta shot to myseif I was scared at first but I put it in my belly and I didnt feel a thing. The needle is so fine you dont feel it at all. Its just the fear of giving yourself the shot. Good Luck Its normal to be scared at first my once you have to do it the rest is a breeze.
  • sweetvickid
    sweetvickid Member Posts: 459 Member
    #14
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    don't take it
    My oncologist said my blood work was good and he would prefer to wait and see if i really need it. never did my blod counts would always climb right back up before the next reatment.
  • Mama G
    Mama G Member Posts: 762
    #15
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    sweetvickid said:

    don't take it
    My oncologist said my blood work was good and he would prefer to wait and see if i really need it. never did my blod counts would always climb right back up before the next reatment.

    I'm with you, Sweetvickid, butt
    I think we're alone on that opinion. Why take anything you don't need?
  • marines911
    marines911 Member Posts: 68
    #16
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    neulasta shot
    I agree to have the nurses teach your husband. I have been giving my wife her's for the past 3 rounds after her Ixempra. I'm terrified of needles as long as they are not for me. The nurse showed me with a gel pad that looked like your skin. I did several times until I was comfortable and now my wife says that I do it better than the nurses. Good luck.

    Thomas
  • Sher43009
    Sher43009 Member Posts: 602 Member
    #17
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    marines911 said:

    neulasta shot
    I agree to have the nurses teach your husband. I have been giving my wife her's for the past 3 rounds after her Ixempra. I'm terrified of needles as long as they are not for me. The nurse showed me with a gel pad that looked like your skin. I did several times until I was comfortable and now my wife says that I do it better than the nurses. Good luck.

    Thomas

    Shot
    You didn't say how often you're getting the chemo.
    It takes 3 weeks for your body to replenish the white cells on its own. That's why the last shot is sometimes skipped. If you're getting chemo every 2 weeks, you have to have the nuelasta shot. I had to go to the cancer center for my insurance to pay for it. Without insurance it costs $3,000.00 per shot. Thankfully I have good insurance and it only cost $30.00 copay.

    Sher
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #18
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    Sher43009 said:

    Shot
    You didn't say how often you're getting the chemo.
    It takes 3 weeks for your body to replenish the white cells on its own. That's why the last shot is sometimes skipped. If you're getting chemo every 2 weeks, you have to have the nuelasta shot. I had to go to the cancer center for my insurance to pay for it. Without insurance it costs $3,000.00 per shot. Thankfully I have good insurance and it only cost $30.00 copay.

    Sher

    my co pay was to high for me
    my co pay was to high for me to do it myself, so we drove to the hospital. I wish I didnt have to have it, but with the dose dense chemo, every two weeks. it was necessary. unfortunately its too late by the time you get tested before your chemo. I am going to ask about the difference betwen giving it every 2 or 3 weeks. wont help me but maybe someone else.
  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 Member Posts: 242
    #19
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    I have the shot on the
    I have the shot on the second day. When I didn't take the shot my count was low and then I had to take 3 neupogen shots 3 days in a row. Not fun!

    Sparkle
  • QuiltingMama123
    QuiltingMama123 Member Posts: 124
    #20
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    sparkle1 said:

    I have the shot on the
    I have the shot on the second day. When I didn't take the shot my count was low and then I had to take 3 neupogen shots 3 days in a row. Not fun!

    Sparkle

    Sparkle, I'm where you were.
    I had my first round 10 days ago and had bloodwork today. I have to have shots for the next 3 days. How long did you ache, etc.?
  • sparkle1
    sparkle1 Member Posts: 242
    #21
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    QuiltingMama123 said:

    Sparkle, I'm where you were.
    I had my first round 10 days ago and had bloodwork today. I have to have shots for the next 3 days. How long did you ache, etc.?

    I ached for about a week. I
    I ached for about a week. I took TylenolPM to relieve the pain and get some sleep. Good luck and get plenty of rest. This too shall pass!
    Sparkle

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