Low Neutrophils - Looks like I will be starting Neupogen Injections

[nobhillhepc]

Hi,

Just called pharmacy to let them know I'll be needing next refill of presriptions a week sooner (I dropped one of my inteferon shots last Friday), they said which one "interferon or Neupogen".  I knew those white blood counts were getting low, but so far so good, they said doctor called that in today, so that means they went lower, he would have received most current lab results this morning.  So, my question is has anybody else had to take this medicine, how often are shots and how are side effects?  I am hanging in there and still working, but that's been somewhat questionable due to psoriasis outbreak, fatigue lately, just wondering what to expect with Neupogen (I think that is what it is called), I have heard bone pain is often part of side effects.

Marcus

[nobhillhepc]

Hey there!  Well, did first Neupogen on Friday as I mentioned, felt fine, but later on Saturday got severe headache, joint pain, bone, muscle pain, way too much for over the counter, did get prescription and felt better, but really did not feel better until this afternoon.  I was really just slightly under what my doctor felt was acceptable, I'll give blood on Thursday, he said that if I go above .6 I think no need to do next shot, I'll take weekly CBCs and do neupogen on an as-needed basis, hopefully it won't be necessary this week, I'll know Friday.  I hear you on being bored and having time to think about side effects, my job has been real slow lately, feel so much better when I can focus on work and not think about how bad I feel.  Speaking of quitting early, my doc said I can stop at 16, if UV treatment does not work on psoriasis he said I still have almost the same odds of SVR stopping at week 16, I am all over that one!  So, if no psoriasis relief, I stop in two weeks, if it works I'll go ahead and complete week 24.  I cleared virus during 1st 2 weeks, enzymes returned to 100% normal at 4 weeks, except for WBC, all else is normal.  How are you doing, have you cleared yet?

[ladybug52]

Just checking on you. Said you did you're neopogen shot and I wondered if it has helped yet. I do my shots on Friday also, it seems to work with my work week. I have the drained and down in the dumps feeling, staying busy actually helps take my mind off of tx. I was out of work a week and a half and felt the worst I ever have. Too much time on my hands. So glad that you only have 10 shots to go! I just did 7 out of 24. Are your labs re: pcr good so that you can stop at week 24? I've heard of some doing shorter tx's when they were responding well. Guess I'll just push thru to week 24, it's not as bad as 48 or 72!
Take care
Bug

[nobhillhepc]

Hi, I did first Neupogen shot, so far nothing to report, feel about the same as I have, drained, a little down in the dumps, not much energy, but can't say that I have more side effects than normal, I'll see doctor on Monday, he'll most likely have a CBC count ordered early next week to see if new medicine is affecting WBC, I am sure it will improve.  Did INF shot 14, only 10 more to go, being a little over half done with treatment feels good.

[nobhillhepc]

Thanks for tips on timing of shots, I will call my doctor prior to starting this, I have an appointment Monday at 5:15, he was most likely not expecting medicine to arrive so fast, I do my INF after work every Friday, and don't really want to change that, working full time it has just worked better for me to do it then, so I am feeling a little better by the time Monday arrives.  I'll run this by him, or maybe try to call, I do remember him saying that he was not concerned if I did not start new meds. until early next week, he said mine were lower than he liked to see, but alarmingly so.  Thanks again!

[friole]

Did they tell you not to take the Neupogen within 24 hours of the interferon?  The interferon destroys WBC and it can counteract the good the Neupogen is doing.  My hemotologist said to wait 48 hours before taking the Neup or do it 48 hours before the INF (but others  here have said 24 hr).  Goof had to take it twice a week and he and his hemotologist came up with a good stategy -- take it about 24 hours before the INF to boost the WBC and take it 24 - 48 hours after the INF to counteract the damage done.

Some have commented on the bone pain.  I did not have that much but did occasionally notice it.  It was more like how my muscles felt the day after a long steep hike.  I took it for a few weeks after my treatment was over since my white counts did not rebound.  By itself, I noticed the sides more.  With all the other treatment drugs, maybe the sides got lost in the mix on me.

frijole

[nobhillhepc]

Thanks to you both, I'll start Neupogen this weekend, Friday or Saturday, feel less anxious after reading your replies, thanks again,
Marcus

[amberegg]

I taake them once a week. The shot itself hurts but I don't have any sides from it. Well only good ones my neutrophil count goes up quickly

[esleighton]

I need to take a Neupogen shot about every 10 days.
One Friday my neuts were at 1000, I took a shot on Sunday, and Tuesday the neuts were at 14,000.
I do not notice any additional sides because my Peg-Intron sides are a bit harsh.

[nobhillhepc]

Hi, thanks for sharing your experiece, it is really appreciated, thank God I have awsome insurance, PPO from work, so money won't be an issue, just small co-pay.  It will be here on Friday, hopefully it won't add to side effects, I suppose there is always the chance why I have felt so much more tired lately could be related to low white blood cells, in any event, I'll start this weekend on new medicine, will do CBC test shortly after to see if it is working!  All the best to you,
Marcus

P.

[sallyo]

I can only speak for myself of course but I had to take Neupogen during the last half of my treatment for wbc< 2.  Started out with i shot a week and ended with 2/week.  Each was .5ml (300mcg)
With the medication the wbcs would respond rapidly and go up very high.  They would drop after just a few days however which was how I got to 2/wk.  The fluid I found to be slight thicker than the Peg and injected it a little slower.  As far as bone pain. ???  Yeah but might have had it anyway from all of the other.  I did not note any big change or at least nothing that tylenol wouldn't take care of.  By the way it is VERY expensive