Did anyone get by without Neulasta shot? |
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Boo 
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Joined: Feb 05 2012 Location: canada Status: Offline Points: 171 |
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 Posted: Mar 02 2013 at 10:59pm |
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I have used both nuelasta and neupogen. I give myself three shots a week of neupogen on treatment weeks currently, if my counts are low. It is easy once you get used to it. I usually do not have side effects. Once or twice, over two years, I did react and then I would head to bed for the day. I am grateful I can keep my counts up so that I can receive full treatment. All these meds effect us differently, so if you need a shot, don't anticipate a result, just see how it goes. Neutropenia (nuetrophil counts very low) is not comfortable either. Most of my shots have been just fine. The once or twice it has bothered me, it has not the next time. Thinking of you, Anne
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dx 12/2010 age 50 TNBC 12 X 9 cm tumor 1 node, 3 X FEC 9 X Doxitaxol with concurrent rads - 2X3 cm residual tumor 20/1/12 mets in lungs METMAB trial May 7 to Oct. 21, CHK1 /Gem trial 26/12/12 fails
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Lee21
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Joined: Dec 22 2011 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 752 |
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Posted: Mar 04 2013 at 5:21pm |
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Kaye, Good luck w/ chemo tomorrow.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids today and tomorrow (I was told to drink about 2 liters of fluid) so that the IV will slide right in and the excess chemo will get eliminated (Cytoxan can also cause cystitis). If your onc is giving you Benadryl, it will make you quite drowsy. I also asked for Ativan to take the edge off (makes me drowsy in addition). I bring reading material (on iPAD), ear buds to plug into iPAD to listen to music, Gatorade/water as well as a variety of foods (trail mix, fruits, crackers). Those hours at chemo can be quite long. I'm not sure if Taxotere causes neuropathy as frequently as Taxol - when I was on Taxol initially and Cisplatin later, I took Vit B6 100 mg (from Walgreens) twice a day, acetyl L-carnitine 500 mg (from Whole Foods) twice a day and glutamine 5 gm (powder from Vitamin Shoppe) three times a day. I don't know if it helped or not - I developed low grade neuropathy in fingers and toes. I also took Miralax starting the day before chemo and through the week. Constipation is caused by the anti-emetics they give you. You might need to figure out what is optimal by trial and error. Also the Decadron (dexamethasone) they give you to take gave me insomnia for a week. Very importantly, I brushed my teeth and rinsed my mouth with baking soda/salt mouth wash after each meal. Oral hygiene is key to minimizing discomfort during chemo. I'm sure your care team has told you all of these things; there are other things I am forgetting. |
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12/9/11 @59,IDC,grade3, TNBC,3cm(MRI),SLNB0,stage IIA, BRCA1 variant
1/30/12 DD AC-T, 6/7/12 Lumpectomy, ypT1b(0.8 cm), 7/9/12 Rads x 30 11/9/12, clinical trial cisplatin/rucaparib, cisplatin-only arm |
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Lee21
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Joined: Dec 22 2011 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 752 |
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Posted: Mar 04 2013 at 5:30pm |
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Just won't let me edit the post.
I wanted to add: Almost forgot, I took Prilosec (a proton pump inhibitor) starting the day before through 1 week-10 days after each cycle. Prilosec minimizes heart burn. Over the counter Prilosec is much more expensive than the generic form that your doc can prescribe. |
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12/9/11 @59,IDC,grade3, TNBC,3cm(MRI),SLNB0,stage IIA, BRCA1 variant
1/30/12 DD AC-T, 6/7/12 Lumpectomy, ypT1b(0.8 cm), 7/9/12 Rads x 30 11/9/12, clinical trial cisplatin/rucaparib, cisplatin-only arm |
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BamaRachel
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Joined: Sep 23 2011 Location: Alabama Status: Offline Points: 164 |
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Posted: Mar 04 2013 at 11:23pm |
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Kaye, hope everything goes well with your treatment tomorrow. I had the Neulasta shots after each of my eight treatments (four EC and four Taxotere) on the day after treatment. If you do get the Neulasta shot, make sure you take the regular Claritin OTC pills once a day for five or six days beginning on the day of the shot. I did so, and never experienced any of the bad side effects of the shot.
If no one has mentioned it, make sure you get some Biotene mouth products (toothpaste, mouthwash, and there's a gel for dry mouth). Do NOT use any mouth products that have alcohol in them. Biotene is expensive but well worth it. And ask for a prescription for something called Magic Mouth Wash. It will help with mouth sores if you get them. After my third treatment is when I had a hard time with my mouth. If you get a chance, message me and let me know how you're doing. You will be in my prayers tonight and tomorrow. |
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DX 7/5/11, TN Invas; Lump w/clear marg., 7/21/11; Stage 2A. Grade 3, 2.6 c; 0/6 nodes; TX 8/22/11 4DD E/C; 4Taxotere; Chemo ended 1/3/12; 33 Radiation Treatments, ended 3/15/12.
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*Nancy
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Joined: Jan 23 2012 Location: St. Peters, MO Status: Offline Points: 78 |
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Posted: Mar 11 2013 at 1:00pm |
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I got the Neulasta shot the day after each of my 4 rounds of chemo (Taxotere and Cytoxan). It worked tremendously well and brought my blood counts back beautifully.
My insurance did not cover it though and we spent many thousands for it. It was also painful for about 48 hours afterward, starting about 24 to 48 hours after I got it. Would I do it again? Yes.
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Dx March 2010, age 54, 5 mm tumor, Stage Ia, Grade 3, 0/3 Nodes, Ki-67 70%,
Lumpectomy April 2010, TC x 4, Rads x 33, Treatment completed Sept 2010, NED 06/17 |
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