1. < Breast Cancer

Talk to me about Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) experiences

Posted by ilcpfighter @ilcpfightee, Oct 16, 2022

I am in my first week of TC, had bone pain bad days 4 and 5, started to subside day 6 only to violently wake me up last night (beginning of day 7) feeling like my hips and pelvic were broken. I would appreciate hearing experiences, tips, tricks, anyone...

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

plshouse1 | @plshouse1 | Jul 26, 2023
In reply to @loribmt "Hello @plshouse1. The more common side effect from Neulasta is the bone pain that can happen..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hello @plshouse1. The more common side effect from Neulasta is the bone pain that can happen for several days. I just read a previous reply of yours talking about the pain associated with this. I don’t know where you are on your chemo rounds but if you get another shot of Neulasta ask your oncologist if it’s ok for you to take over-the-counter Claritin antihistamine!
(not Claritin D) That is one of the best ways to mitigate the pain and discomfort. My oncologist told me to take it and we have a discussion on Connect with other members saying the same thing, that their oncologist suggested Claritin.

~Talk to me about Neulasta experiences: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/talk-to-me-about-neulasta-experiences/

Instead of the Neulasta being the culprit for your weakness, brain fog and fatigue could it be the chemo itself? All of those can be pretty common side effects of the chemotherapy as it also knocks down the blood counts as well as cancer cells. The impact of the chemo may be bothering you more each month as your treatments progress because each month it can take a little longer to bounce back. That’s probably why your doctor gave you Neulasta this month to help ramp up your white blood cell production.

I really can empathize with how you feel. It’s just draining mentally to be so fatigued and not feeling normal. But it’s a means to fighting the cancer and our bodies have amazing recuperative abilities. So hang in there and get through the treatments…then the healing can begin. There’s no guilt for lying around reading, binging on movies or listening to music. ☺️ But do try to walk several times daily…doesn’t have to be far and drink plenty of water to keep the toxins flushing through.

Do you have more chemo ahead?

Jump to this post

Hi Lori
Thank you so much for replying.
You just feel like you are losing your mind. What's going on with me,I used to have so much energy. Now all I can do is stay in bed.
I have had 4 chemo treatments and 3 neulasta injections. You may be right about the chemo. I guess I just assumed it was the neulasta.
I have been taking Claritin and the Dr also prescribed gabapentin at night which does help.
I have 2 more treatments and then an MRI.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
It helps for someone to understand.
Pat

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 26, 2023
In reply to @plshouse1 "Has anyone had side effects from neulasta that have lasted for many days. I have been..." + (show)
@plshouse1

Has anyone had side effects from neulasta that have lasted for many days. I have been weak,foggy and can hardly get out of bed for days.
Has anyone had the same?

Jump to this post

Hello @plshouse1. The more common side effect from Neulasta is the bone pain that can happen for several days. I just read a previous reply of yours talking about the pain associated with this. I don’t know where you are on your chemo rounds but if you get another shot of Neulasta ask your oncologist if it’s ok for you to take over-the-counter Claritin antihistamine!
(not Claritin D) That is one of the best ways to mitigate the pain and discomfort. My oncologist told me to take it and we have a discussion on Connect with other members saying the same thing, that their oncologist suggested Claritin.

~Talk to me about Neulasta experiences: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/talk-to-me-about-neulasta-experiences/

Instead of the Neulasta being the culprit for your weakness, brain fog and fatigue could it be the chemo itself? All of those can be pretty common side effects of the chemotherapy as it also knocks down the blood counts as well as cancer cells. The impact of the chemo may be bothering you more each month as your treatments progress because each month it can take a little longer to bounce back. That’s probably why your doctor gave you Neulasta this month to help ramp up your white blood cell production.

I really can empathize with how you feel. It’s just draining mentally to be so fatigued and not feeling normal. But it’s a means to fighting the cancer and our bodies have amazing recuperative abilities. So hang in there and get through the treatments…then the healing can begin. There’s no guilt for lying around reading, binging on movies or listening to music. ☺️ But do try to walk several times daily…doesn’t have to be far and drink plenty of water to keep the toxins flushing through.

Do you have more chemo ahead?

REPLY
1 reply
plshouse1 | @plshouse1 | Jul 26, 2023

Has anyone had side effects from neulasta that have lasted for many days. I have been weak,foggy and can hardly get out of bed for days.
Has anyone had the same?

REPLY
1 reply
bcwarrior | @bcwarrior | Jan 22, 2023

WOW!!! Wish I knew this info back in 2007. I dreaded the shots more than the chemo. Early-stage cancer typically isn't painful but the treatment is well you know what I want to say. I'm convinced all the Arimidex and Neulasta is what has my hips and low back such as mess now all these years later. I use a shopping service because I cannot walk the whole store. I'm seeing a Dr. soon now that my (recurrence of cancer) bilateral mastectomy has finally healed. I had a dehiscence. Also, asking for a pet scan.

REPLY
cubgirl1960 | @cubgirl1960 | Jan 21, 2023
In reply to @loribmt "Hi @ilcpfightee I feel your pain! Neulasta, while it’s a really valuable medication to jumpstart the..." + (show)
@loribmt

Hi @ilcpfightee I feel your pain! Neulasta, while it’s a really valuable medication to jumpstart the white blood count after chemo, it is the worst pain I ever experienced when I misjudged how long I needed to take the Claritin with it.
Yes, Claritin, the over-the-counter antihistamine for allergies! This is what my hematologist told me to start taking the day I received the shot and for at least 7 days after. Not Claritin-D. Just the plain Claritin. It’s amazing how well it works.
When I experienced the bone pain, I had stopped taking the antihistamine too early.( I needed to continue another few days. ) Woke up with a pain level of 15 on the 1-10 scale. You know the one in the doctor’s office with the grimacing faces? LOL. My husband said my face didn’t match any of those photos so he knew I was in trouble.

This shouldn’t interfere with any of your meds but you can check with your doctor or pharmacist first. But it’s a well known remedy in the cancer world for pain control after Neulasta.

Give it a try and let me know, ok?

Jump to this post

Yes! Totally true- Claritin was a life saver for the post-Neulasta pain

REPLY
selwena | @selwena | Jan 8, 2023

Hi it’s Selwena
How are you feeling ?

REPLY
asa13 | @asa13 | Oct 30, 2022
In reply to @dlmdinia "I took Neulasta only for the 4 cycles of A/C (Andriamicin/Cytoxin?sp) I was advised to take..." + (show)
@dlmdinia

I took Neulasta only for the 4 cycles of A/C (Andriamicin/Cytoxin?sp) I was advised to take Claritin before the shot (I chose to get the actual shot versus the patch contraption) and then again the next day. I never had any bone pain so I guess I got lucky there. I believe there was also Claritin or an antihistamine equivalent in the infusion mix of drugs (4 bags) the day before.

Jump to this post

I took the patch instead, also for the first 4 cycles. It when super, not having to go out the day after the chemo. Did not take anything like antihistamine and I was fine.

REPLY
dlmdinia | @dlmdinia | Oct 29, 2022

I took Neulasta only for the 4 cycles of A/C (Andriamicin/Cytoxin?sp) I was advised to take Claritin before the shot (I chose to get the actual shot versus the patch contraption) and then again the next day. I never had any bone pain so I guess I got lucky there. I believe there was also Claritin or an antihistamine equivalent in the infusion mix of drugs (4 bags) the day before.

REPLY
1 reply
Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 28, 2022
In reply to @7lady7luck7 "My treatment plan consists of TCHP chemo for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I had a double mastectomy..." + (show)
@7lady7luck7

My treatment plan consists of TCHP chemo for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I had a double mastectomy and began six cycles of chemo. Neulasta was difficult for me. I had extreme pain/discomfort in my pelvic area. I Take Clariton every day as advised by my oncologist. Finally on the 5th chemo I begged to go without taking Neulasta. I wasn’t as sick thank God and have only one more cycle to go. I pray I do well on the last one. Neulasta made me sick, gave me bone pain in the pelvic area, made my face flush, and gave me a cognitive fog, which was scary.

Jump to this post

Hi @7lady7luck7, sorry that Neulasta made things worse for you. How did your final cycle of chemo go? Did you ring the bell?

REPLY
7lady7luck7 | @7lady7luck7 | Oct 16, 2022

My treatment plan consists of TCHP chemo for Invasive Lobular Carcinoma. I had a double mastectomy and began six cycles of chemo. Neulasta was difficult for me. I had extreme pain/discomfort in my pelvic area. I Take Clariton every day as advised by my oncologist. Finally on the 5th chemo I begged to go without taking Neulasta. I wasn’t as sick thank God and have only one more cycle to go. I pray I do well on the last one. Neulasta made me sick, gave me bone pain in the pelvic area, made my face flush, and gave me a cognitive fog, which was scary.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.