CancerCompass message board discussion started by zuma95 on 6/25/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,25398,0.htm Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,Bernice zuma95 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/25/2008 zuma95 wrote:Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,BerniceI have had 5 Neulasta shots now after 5 chemotherapy treatments.  Not all, but some experience very severe joint pain, mostly in the legs, and pain in the back, after the first shot.  For others it is mild to moderate.  I was one of those who had severe pain and even hydrocodone hardly eased it.  It lasted severely for about 24 hours and finally waned in about 4 days or so.  I might add that one of the chemos I was receiving was Taxol and it also causes joint pain so could have made it worse.  Since then I still have the joint pain after the shot but it is not as severe.  It is the first one that is difficult if you are one of those who has a strong reaction.  The trade off is worth it as I have not had to delay but one chemo to low white blood cell counts and that was due to an abscessed tooth but only delayed me 4 days.  momofthreeas Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/25/2008 zuma95 wrote:Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,BerniceMy 17 year old son received three shots of Neulasta during his chemo treatments.  He experienced SEVERE leg pain with the first shot.  He was taking Tylenol with codeine and it didn't help at all.  They put on him Oxycodon and that took the edge off.  The pain lasted about 4 days, each day getting a little better.  We learned to start giving him a mild pain killer about a week after he received the shot to keep the pain under control.  He did much better with the next two shots.  I don't know if it was the pain meds we gave him or that his body just better tolerated the shot.  It did bring his counts up after each chemo so his treatments wouldn't be delayed.   Good luck to you and your husband.   mljmom Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/26/2008 momofthreeas wrote: On 6/25/2008 zuma95 wrote:Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,BerniceI have had 5 Neulasta shots now after 5 chemotherapy treatments.  Not all, but some experience very severe joint pain, mostly in the legs, and pain in the back, after the first shot.  For others it is mild to moderate.  I was one of those who had severe pain and even hydrocodone hardly eased it.  It lasted severely for about 24 hours and finally waned in about 4 days or so.  I might add that one of the chemos I was receiving was Taxol and it also causes joint pain so could have made it worse.  Since then I still have the joint pain after the shot but it is not as severe.  It is the first one that is difficult if you are one of those who has a strong reaction.  The trade off is worth it as I have not had to delay but one chemo to low white blood cell counts and that was due to an abscessed tooth but only delayed me 4 days.  Thank you so much for the information. It is always good to know what you might be up against.God Bless, Bernice  zuma95 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Thank you so much for the information. It is always good to know what you might be up against.God Bless, Bernice  zuma95 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/25/2008 zuma95 wrote:Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,BerniceBernice, I thought you might like to hear a positive outcome.  I have completed 6 rounds of rather strong chemo for an aggressive diffuse large B cell lymphome (DLBL)  which included:CytocinRituximabDoxcilVincristinePrednisone I'm sure the type of cancer and chemo may impact side effects also.  I list these as a reference of not knowing which  chemo  drugs may or may not have additional affect on Neulasta's side effects.  As stated by another respondent, it's worth the pain not to cancel chemo.. After 6 injections of Neulasta the most I experienced was pain in my knee joints and lower back...Usually mild and responded to Tylenol.  I may have been blessed with minimal side effects; but remember not ALL cancer patients experience side effects and if they do it may be minimal.  I pray for his recovery and a good journey through this fight.I am 3 mos in remission going for quarterly scans and port flush and blood work every six weeks ..Good Luck and keep the faith no matter what comes your way..Lyn   Kicking Cancer Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT On 6/25/2008 zuma95 wrote:Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,Bernice I personally used Neupogen instead of Neulasta, and my white blood cell count went up after three consecutive shots, allowing me to continue on my chemo treatment. I had no side effects whatsoever. I know that this is not always the case, so maybe I was simply lucky. But one dear friend was on Neulasta at the same time as I was being treated, and she suffered severe pain. As far as I know, Neulasta has the only advantage of having a longer effect, maybe even one month, while Neupogen needs to be used for a few days. So what? why suffer more? If ever I needed chemo again, I certainly would want Neupogen again (remember to keep it refrigerated at the due temperature, otherwhise it won't work). Ilaria from Italy Ilaria Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT My husband's reaction was like the flu-achy and sore bones, chills etc. but was over with in 2-3 days.  He even treated it a bit like the flu: Grabbed the Nyquil and a big cuddly quilt and went to bed.  Sometimes less than this but never worse. And it was very effective. LT Tagml Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT Neupogen was cheaper than Neulasta, however, I had them both, and never suffered any side effects.  I was surprised to read your post.  If you have to pay a co-pay with those drugs...Neupogen is 400 while Neulasta is about $1,200.00.  My co pay was 60 for Neupogen and 400 for Neulasta, so I paid maybe 180 for the three successive shots, and gave them to myself! jstsandy Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/26/2008 Tagml wrote:My husband's reaction was like the flu-achy and sore bones, chills etc. but was over with in 2-3 days.  He even treated it a bit like the flu: Grabbed the Nyquil and a big cuddly quilt and went to bed.  Sometimes less than this but never worse. And it was very effective. LT Thank you so much LT for your information.God Bless,Bernice zuma95 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/26/2008 Ilaria wrote: On 6/25/2008 zuma95 wrote:Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,Bernice I personally used Neupogen instead of Neulasta, and my white blood cell count went up after three consecutive shots, allowing me to continue on my chemo treatment. I had no side effects whatsoever. I know that this is not always the case, so maybe I was simply lucky. But one dear friend was on Neulasta at the same time as I was being treated, and she suffered severe pain. As far as I know, Neulasta has the only advantage of having a longer effect, maybe even one month, while Neupogen needs to be used for a few days. So what? why suffer more? If ever I needed chemo again, I certainly would want Neupogen again (remember to keep it refrigerated at the due temperature, otherwhise it won't work). Ilaria from Italy Hi Ilaria,Thank you so much for you input. I will have to discuss this option with my husband and his DR.God Bless,Bernice zuma95 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT  On 6/26/2008 Kicking Cancer wrote: On 6/25/2008 zuma95 wrote:Could any one tell me what possible side effects my husband can expect from the Neulasta shot?Thank you,BerniceBernice, I thought you might like to hear a positive outcome.  I have completed 6 rounds of rather strong chemo for an aggressive diffuse large B cell lymphome (DLBL)  which included:CytocinRituximabDoxcilVincristinePrednisone I'm sure the type of cancer and chemo may impact side effects also.  I list these as a reference of not knowing which  chemo  drugs may or may not have additional affect on Neulasta's side effects.  As stated by another respondent, it's worth the pain not to cancel chemo.. After 6 injections of Neulasta the most I experienced was pain in my knee joints and lower back...Usually mild and responded to Tylenol.  I may have been blessed with minimal side effects; but remember not ALL cancer patients experience side effects and if they do it may be minimal.  I pray for his recovery and a good journey through this fight.I am 3 mos in remission going for quarterly scans and port flush and blood work every six weeks ..Good Luck and keep the faith no matter what comes your way..Lyn   Hi Lyn,Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with me. I appreciate any information I can get.You have been through a lot and certainly are an inspiration!! I am just so thrilled to hear of your remission. God Bless,Bernice zuma95 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT My mother also took the Neulasta shots. She had the bone/joint pain as well.. It nearly knocked her on her butt the first couple of days. Then about day 4or so it started going away. She was taking Avastin,Taxol,carboplatin as her chemo. Here is a great website www.chemocare.com you can find alot of info about different chemo and chemo related drugs. The website also gives you some self care tips while taking these drugs. Dothedewmom Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT When first in the hospital for diagnosis, They gave me neupogen to see if neutrophile counts would go up. I got little results and the pain was very uncomfortable. Pain in my chest and legs and not much benefit.  After DX of T-LGL Leukemia, I started on Immune suppressant Cyclosporine and monthly shots of neulasta because I could not go into the Dr office three times a week for neupogen. The week following the shot is almost unbearable, pain in hips, knees and legs. The worst is the pounding in my chest. It feels like a heart attack. I have had seven shots and thought that I would get used to it, but not the case. However, it does bring my neutrophil levels up for about two weeks out of the month. Dr Says, It is keeping me from infection, so it is a trade off that keeps me alive. I expect to stay in bed for a week and take as many hydrocodone as I need. The pain feels like an intense case of the "Growing pains", If you ever had those as a child. Also my insurance covers the shot if it is given at the Dr's office, with a twenty-five dollar co-pay. I hope this is not the case for you and I wish you well.      TJ   tjteresa Sat, 28 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT