Neulasta or Chemo?

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Brooklynchele
Brooklynchele Member Posts: 123
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I was diagnosed with TNBC on July 5th after having a lumpectomy on 6/30 that the surgeon thought would be benign. Partial mastectomy was 7/14. I am Stage IIB with no lymph node involvement. I began TC chemo on 9/2 with a Neulasta injection on 9/3. Within 2 1/2 days the bone pain was so severe I could barely move (pain in spine and chest and hips). Is anyone doing the same chemo protocol or has had the same effects from the Neulasta injection? My next chemo infusion is scheduled for this Thursday and I am planning on skipping the Neulasta on my doc's suggestion but I am worried about the risk on infection. Thoughts? Thanks!

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  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #2
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    many people have this
    many people have this reaction. some take tylenol advil or something stronger. Some people have sucess taking claritin. My hospital (boston) had never heard of this. My symptoms were not too bad but other people do have more severe symptoms. My WBC dropped quite low even with neulasta. Neulasta is designed to help your bone marrow recover quickly for the next chemo so you can get chemo more often. It does not prevent yourWBC from dropping. some people have gotten chemo every 3 weeks instead of every two, but I am not sure this is ok, for TNBC. You can try it and see what happens to WBC.
  • cindycflynn
    cindycflynn Member Posts: 1,132 Member
    #3
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    So sorry
    that you had such pain from your treatments, but I'm glad you found this site. It is a wonderful resource and a safe place to come for support.

    My chemo was Taxotere/Cytoxan and I also received the Neulasta shot after each infusion. I was fortunate that the Neulasta did not give me very much pain.

    My doctor didn't initally order the Neulasta, and some doctors don't order it at all. The only reason my doc did was because I had an open sore spot from skin cancer that was still healing when I started chemo and she wanted to make sure my healing wasn't compromised by the chemo.

    This is definitely something to discuss with your doctor to find out if the risks outweigh the benefits of Neulasta for you.

    Take care,
    Cindy
  • pattic
    pattic Member Posts: 23
    #4
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    Neulasta
    I also had the Neulasta injections the day after my chemo infusions. I tried the Aleve and Claritin the day before the injections, but still had incredible bone pain. After my second round one very wonderful nurse at my oncologist's told me I need not suffer and had the doctor write a prescription for pain meds, which were a God send. If you are having severe bone pain after the Neulasta injections speak up and let your oncologist know you need something for the pain. Good luck to you!

    Patti
  • taberfan
    taberfan Member Posts: 8 Member
    #5
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    Neulasta or Chemo?
    I, too, have TNBC. I also have the Neulasta injection the day after my chemo treatments. After having terrible bone pain after my first injection, I was told by my PA that many people are helped by taking Claritin. I start taking Claritin the day of my injection which is every other Thursday, and I continue to take it through the next Tuesday. Claritin has helped me a lot. For the second and third treatments, my pain lessened considerably. I still have some pain (not nearly as bad as the first time) usually on Saturday evening, and then it pretty much disappears.

    Shirley
  • cahjah75
    cahjah75 Member Posts: 2,631
    #6
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    I am
    getting Taxotere/Cytoxan with Neulasta shot the day after. Tomorrow is #3 for me and Wednesday I will get Neulasta shot. I have moderate to severe osteoarthritis and by the 3rd day (Friday) I start to feel achy and remain that way for 3 days. Extra strength Tylenol works well for me and I sleep a lot! I'm high risk for infection so there is no way I would skip the Neulasta shot. So far my WBC have remained well elevated. I am not TN but did have Lobular carcinoma and bilateral mastectomy in June. I wish you well in your decision but please talk with your oncologist.
    {{hugs}} Char
  • creampuff91344
    creampuff91344 Member Posts: 988
    #7
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    cahjah75 said:

    I am
    getting Taxotere/Cytoxan with Neulasta shot the day after. Tomorrow is #3 for me and Wednesday I will get Neulasta shot. I have moderate to severe osteoarthritis and by the 3rd day (Friday) I start to feel achy and remain that way for 3 days. Extra strength Tylenol works well for me and I sleep a lot! I'm high risk for infection so there is no way I would skip the Neulasta shot. So far my WBC have remained well elevated. I am not TN but did have Lobular carcinoma and bilateral mastectomy in June. I wish you well in your decision but please talk with your oncologist.
    {{hugs}} Char

    My experience
    I had lumpectomy, followed by TAC and then rads. The Neulesta shot the day after my chemo infusion was really the worst of all of the treatments. I took pain meds (hydrocodone) for about three days after the shot, and then the pain went away until the next infusion. Each person reacts differently, so just hang in there. The Neulesta shot does bring back the White Blood Cells faster. My count started at 38,000, and after my fourth treatment is was down to less than 200. No hospitalization, but I sure had to stay away from everyone for fear of picking up a "bug" of any kind. Good luck, and hang in there. It does get better. Hugs, Judy
  • meena1
    meena1 Member Posts: 1,003
    #8
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    creampuff91344 said:

    My experience
    I had lumpectomy, followed by TAC and then rads. The Neulesta shot the day after my chemo infusion was really the worst of all of the treatments. I took pain meds (hydrocodone) for about three days after the shot, and then the pain went away until the next infusion. Each person reacts differently, so just hang in there. The Neulesta shot does bring back the White Blood Cells faster. My count started at 38,000, and after my fourth treatment is was down to less than 200. No hospitalization, but I sure had to stay away from everyone for fear of picking up a "bug" of any kind. Good luck, and hang in there. It does get better. Hugs, Judy

    I had my first TC chemo
    I had my first TC chemo treatment with the Neulasta shot the next day, and yes i was in a lot of pain also. Especially in my thighs, it was so painful to move. At 1 time, i got out of my car and the pain shot up my thighs and my legs buckled, so be careful of that. Oh, and i also had a lot of back pain. There are a couple of posts from others who also had similar reactions, it is not fun. But, i made it through it
  • tommaseena
    tommaseena Member Posts: 1,769
    #9
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    meena1 said:

    I had my first TC chemo
    I had my first TC chemo treatment with the Neulasta shot the next day, and yes i was in a lot of pain also. Especially in my thighs, it was so painful to move. At 1 time, i got out of my car and the pain shot up my thighs and my legs buckled, so be careful of that. Oh, and i also had a lot of back pain. There are a couple of posts from others who also had similar reactions, it is not fun. But, i made it through it

    Muscle and bone pain
    I had muscle and bone pain with the Neulasta and took Claritin and it helped me a lot. I still take it even thought I have finished chemo and Herceptin because I when I don't take it for a few days I feel pain mostly in my legs and then start the Claritin again and I am fine.

    The wonders that some drugs can do more than what they were put on the market for.

    Margo
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #10
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    I was on AC every 2 weeks,
    I was on AC every 2 weeks, with a neulasta shot 4-5 days after each infusion. My pain across my shoulders and down my spine gets so bad that my onc gave me a prescription for percocets. Next week I have the first of 2 rounds of taxotere, I'm hoping that will be a bit gentler to me...those 4 rounds have wiped me out, had my last chemo 5 days ago & still feel crappy :( Definately talk to your Onc - you don't have to suffer through the pain!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • 2Sunny
    2Sunny Member Posts: 5
    #11
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    Chemo or Neulasta
    I had a similar experience with Neulasta after my 1st chemo last month. I am also doing T/C. My stage is also II with no lympnode involvement. I told my oncologist before my second chemo last week. He gave me pain meds, I took them as directed and this time it was much more manageable. I am so glad for these discussion boards because I have no one to call when I'm in the middle of the cycle. I looked over the discussion boards, found people with similar experiences, took their suggestions and didn't feel alone. Thank you to all of my sisters.2Sunny
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    #12
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    2Sunny said:

    Chemo or Neulasta
    I had a similar experience with Neulasta after my 1st chemo last month. I am also doing T/C. My stage is also II with no lympnode involvement. I told my oncologist before my second chemo last week. He gave me pain meds, I took them as directed and this time it was much more manageable. I am so glad for these discussion boards because I have no one to call when I'm in the middle of the cycle. I looked over the discussion boards, found people with similar experiences, took their suggestions and didn't feel alone. Thank you to all of my sisters.2Sunny

    I had my neulasta shots the
    I had my neulasta shots the day after treatment. interesting. I found taxol way easier than AC so HB hoping it goes well for you .
    2sunny thank you for you !
  • carriesoup
    carriesoup Member Posts: 144
    #13
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    carkris said:

    I had my neulasta shots the
    I had my neulasta shots the day after treatment. interesting. I found taxol way easier than AC so HB hoping it goes well for you .
    2sunny thank you for you !

    29 and fighting! :)
    I started my a/c treatment a week and a half ago. received the neulasta 3 days later. i was so exhausted after the chemo. luckily, the expensive anti-emetic (emend) kept me from getting nauseous! i was really dizzy and had a horrible headache for days. the neulasta made everything worse. i was taking 600mg ibuprofen every 6 hours and nothing helped. finally called the dr, and he gave me vicodin. i felt SOOOOO much better!! take the pain meds!

    just wondering if anyone though the a/c got easier?

    thanks :)
  • Brooklynchele
    Brooklynchele Member Posts: 123
    #14
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    To Everyone That Responded
    Thank you so much for your feedback! Like some of you, my onc was surprised at the severity of my side effect symptoms - but then again I have pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis and multiple allergies to meds. My 2nd round of chemo is tomorrow. I'm going to try to do this without the Neulasta (although my onc did give me a prescription for Vicodin). I am worried about doing the Neulasta and having to take the Vicodin as it is a drug I have never had before and I am concerned it will be another one that I end up being allergic to! (Right after chemo is NOT the time to discover a new drug allergy!) If anyone is interested I'll post how things go without the Neulasta...
  • Heatherbelle
    Heatherbelle Member Posts: 1,226 Member
    #15
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    carriesoup said:

    29 and fighting! :)
    I started my a/c treatment a week and a half ago. received the neulasta 3 days later. i was so exhausted after the chemo. luckily, the expensive anti-emetic (emend) kept me from getting nauseous! i was really dizzy and had a horrible headache for days. the neulasta made everything worse. i was taking 600mg ibuprofen every 6 hours and nothing helped. finally called the dr, and he gave me vicodin. i felt SOOOOO much better!! take the pain meds!

    just wondering if anyone though the a/c got easier?

    thanks :)

    Carriesoup-
    I wish I could
    Carriesoup-
    I wish I could tell you that A/C got easier for me, but it didn't :( luckily i only had 4 rounds of it, the last one was last week. Hang in there, it does go fast. Best of luck to you!
    *hugs*
    Heather
  • carriesoup
    carriesoup Member Posts: 144
    #16
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    Heatherbelle said:

    Carriesoup-
    I wish I could
    Carriesoup-
    I wish I could tell you that A/C got easier for me, but it didn't :( luckily i only had 4 rounds of it, the last one was last week. Hang in there, it does go fast. Best of luck to you!
    *hugs*
    Heather

    heather
    thank you. i also only have to go through 4 rounds. then taxol once weekly for 8 treatments. i guess i didn't expect it to get easier, just hopeful. :) you're amazing, i don't think i could possibly do this with 2 children! i can barely take the dog for a walk!

    xoxoxo

    carrie :)
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #17
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    carriesoup said:

    heather
    thank you. i also only have to go through 4 rounds. then taxol once weekly for 8 treatments. i guess i didn't expect it to get easier, just hopeful. :) you're amazing, i don't think i could possibly do this with 2 children! i can barely take the dog for a walk!

    xoxoxo

    carrie :)

    A/C Not bad - Taxol BAD!
    A/C wasn't bad for me - Taxol was awful. 2 days after A/C I'd get tired for 2 days and that was all the tired. Lost hair, sense of taste and appetite and eyes and nose 'flowed' like a spigot was turned on but no pain or nausea. The only reaction I had from the Neulasta was it put me to sleep 2 hours after injection (almost to the minute) for 2 hours - no pain - nothing.

    Taxol, though, was complete and utter exhaustion for 5 days of each week (had 12 weekly doses). The other 2 days were tired but not anywhwere near as bad. I would get exhausted about noon the day after infusion and start being just tired about noon on the day before the next infusion and stayed the same on the day of infusion. Could not sleep (without pills) and did not get sense of taste or appetite back either.

    We're all so different!

    Susan
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    #18
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    Brooklynchele said:

    To Everyone That Responded
    Thank you so much for your feedback! Like some of you, my onc was surprised at the severity of my side effect symptoms - but then again I have pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis and multiple allergies to meds. My 2nd round of chemo is tomorrow. I'm going to try to do this without the Neulasta (although my onc did give me a prescription for Vicodin). I am worried about doing the Neulasta and having to take the Vicodin as it is a drug I have never had before and I am concerned it will be another one that I end up being allergic to! (Right after chemo is NOT the time to discover a new drug allergy!) If anyone is interested I'll post how things go without the Neulasta...

    Brooklynchele .. Best of luck -- sounds like you have
    your hands and body full of chemo and side efforts. Endured 18 weeks of consective TCH - ending 12/20/09 .. Herceptin ended 8/20 .. I cried, and crawled for many of days - usually 5 out of the 7 each week.

    Benedryrl and Clartin -- start 24 hours B4 your Neulasta shot .. that helped at times not always .. Felt like a freight train ran me over for months ... just getting my sea legs back.

    Strength and Courage:

    Vicki Sam
  • Brooklynchele
    Brooklynchele Member Posts: 123
    #19
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    VickiSam said:

    Brooklynchele .. Best of luck -- sounds like you have
    your hands and body full of chemo and side efforts. Endured 18 weeks of consective TCH - ending 12/20/09 .. Herceptin ended 8/20 .. I cried, and crawled for many of days - usually 5 out of the 7 each week.

    Benedryrl and Clartin -- start 24 hours B4 your Neulasta shot .. that helped at times not always .. Felt like a freight train ran me over for months ... just getting my sea legs back.

    Strength and Courage:

    Vicki Sam

    Allergies :(
    Vicki Sam, yes I've heard that Benadryl helps. Unfortunately I'm allergic to it. If I have to go back to the Neulasta I'll keep Claritin in mind and maybe it will help (thank you). I'm doing the TC part but not the H b/c my cancer is triple negative. I felt like such an oddball when I ended up having to crawl after the injection b/c the pain was so bad. It would have been nice to know that it was a potential side effect (that the pain could be that severe)! all I was told was that the pain could be mild to moderate. I would never have described it as that.

    Glad you're getting your "sea legs" back! I hope every day gets better for you.

    Michele

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