Neupogen Injections

I have just completed my 5th monthly 5-day chemo treatment for colon cancer and am expecting to receive the treatments for at least 7 more months. After each treatment I receive 480 mcgs of Nuepogen injected daily for 10 days. I have been experiencing tremendous weight and appetite loss, and saliva build-up between chemo treatments which do not let up until just a very few days before the next scheduled treatments, hardly enough time to regain the weight loss. I'm wondering if these symptoms might be a side effect of the Neupogen injections and would like to hear from anyone who has had this or a similar experience with Neupogen and what, if anything, was done to remedy the situation.

HI, Neupogen shots...oh yeah...we've had those...But we decided to FIGHT our cancer at Cancer Treatment Center of America. Instead of Nuepogen for 10 days - CTCA, being on the cutting edge used the new stuff called Nuelasta. 1 shot, lasts 10 days. 1 shot...one time invasive procedure, instead of 10 invasive procedures.

Do not know of any side effects but at CTCA they have something for everything...they are the experts in CANCER CARE.

Thank you, Elizabeth,
Like you, I also believe CTCA are the experts in cancer care. I will be returning to their Midwestern Regional Medical Center in Zion, IL for my fifth monthly chemo treatment on Oct 4th. I plan to discuss Nuelasta with my oncologist then.

I'm so sorry to hear about your side effects. I completed chemo last December, and to have Neupogen injections for three treatment cycles. Although I didn't like them, I felt empowered by giving them to myself (my oncologist's nurse provided training) and knowing they were keeping me from getting sick. I assume that your white blood count is extremely low and your immunity is compromised as a result. I hope your oncologist is performing blood analysis to establish the fact that your counts are so low that you truly need the Neupogen. I never experienced any of the symptoms that you are describing and my appetite never suffered during six months of chemo. Are you sure it it the Neupogen that is making you sick? Is your oncologist giving you anti-nausea medication along with your chemo? There are so many good medications available to combat nausea, your doctor should be able to give you something to alleviate your distress. You have to take these meds ON SCHEDULE exactly as prescribed in order for them to work. I even set the alarm clock to make sure that I didn't miss my middle of the night dose. Good luck to you. Feel free to write back if you have questions.

I am taking Nuelasta, I have not had a problem with it at all. I have had two chemo treatments so far. I am from Indiana. They say Neulasta is very good. I get a Neulasta shot 24 to 48 hours after I get chemo (either in stomach or in arm). Just thought I would let you know. I am new at this site and to this cancer, so I am a little bit shy at this, sorry.

Hi Barbara, What you are describing really sounds like side effects of the chemotherapy and not the Neupogen. I certainly would mention these things to your oncologist and perhaps he/she can prescribe something to decrease the nausea/decrease in appetite. Maintaining your weight is an important factor for a cancer survivor and your body needs the nutrition to combat the disease. Also, as others have suggested, perhaps Neulasta would be a better option for you. I am currently taking the Neulasta and it is a one-time shot (per month) to be given at least 24 hours after the chemo treatment and then it is long-acting and slowly-released (14 days). Hope this information is helpful to you. Good Luck, Debbie

Hi I had breast cancer and I am happy to say I am a survivor of 5 years and 8 months. My treatment was with Taxoter, cy....,  herceptin and adrimycian. My white count got down to 0.2 and they started me on neupogen. I did lose weight about 31 lbs, however I believe it was from the cancer treatments itslf amd not the neupogen. I could not eat much during my treatment as everything tasted awful. Please take care and hope to here from you. GBU

 

On 6/16/2003 Debbie B. wrote:

Hi Barbara, What you are describing really sounds like side effects of the chemotherapy and not the Neupogen. I certainly would mention these things to your oncologist and perhaps he/she can prescribe something to decrease the nausea/decrease in appetite. Maintaining your weight is an important factor for a cancer survivor and your body needs the nutrition to combat the disease. Also, as others have suggested, perhaps Neulasta would be a better option for you. I am currently taking the Neulasta and it is a one-time shot (per month) to be given at least 24 hours after the chemo treatment and then it is long-acting and slowly-released (14 days). Hope this information is helpful to you. Good Luck, Debbie

 

Hello to everyone,

I am an RN, a 12 year ovarian cancer survivor.  I have heard that Neulasta was the difficult White Blood count booster in that it caused pretty extreme bone pain.  Neupogen however, its cousin has virtually no side effects, only it is not as convenient as you have to get a daily sub-q shot (something I think is very minimal and could have my husband do who is a critical care nurse) Hence, this is why Cancer Treatment Centers usually people on Neulasta, as it is difficult to go there daily, especially if you live in Arizona as I do. 

What I would like to know is why MDs are so reluctant to give either one.  I had pneumonia from a low WBC when I was on Topotecan.  I am now on Etoposide, a drug not usually given for ovarian ca, however it's at the top of my Onco-Assay.  I am taking the pill form.  My MD tells me they only give it if the WBCs drop to 1000 and you have a temp.  I went ?????, isn't that kind of like closing the door of the barn after the horse ran out???  

I would like to try to understand if they really give this as a prophylactic for infections.  Does anyone know???  Bone marrow suppression is the #1 side effect of Etoposide and with a history of pneumonia, I am very worried about this.  What are others' experiences??

Thank you,

 

Hi again,

I have never heard or read that Neupogen causes any kind of G-I distress, i.e. nausea, vomiting, etc.  That most likely is due to the chemo and not the Neupogen.

 

Sedona Lady 

I am on a 2 week protocol with Taxol and 24hrs later a shot of nuelasta.  The first treatment wasn`t too bad ,had some bone pain. I understand that the taxol and the nuelasta can both cause bone pain.  Well had the second treatment on Tuesday and Nuelasta on wednesday.  By the evening after getting the nuelasta I didn`t know where to put my legs. I hurt really bad. Hips, groin,legs, knees and feet and shoulders.  I had pain pi;lls  (darvocet) but have to take 2 in order to help with the pain. I can also take ibuprophen with it.  I don`t like to take all this med as it surely cannot be good for my liver.  I had breast cancer and  in the milk duct  1.3 in size, nothing in the  surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. However the tumor did not have any hormone receptors so that is why they say I am at high risk os spreading to other parts of my body and they are doing the chemo to prevent that. 4 treatments every 2 weeks. Then when chemo is done I will get radiation of the breast involved 5x week for 5 weeks. well I am at the half way mark, hope I can withstand this pain which is really intense. Just thought I would let you know what I am going thru on Nuelasta with taxol. Any comments appreciated.