Any expirience with this?

[Hazel30]

I dont do much posting but I check in every day too see how everyone is doing.  All your posts are so helpful to me and Im very impressed with all of you strong and brave women.  I post here for my Mom and she just began her chemo last week.  I was hopping maybe I can get some advice on her situation:  Chemo went well and the day after she received her immune shot and thats were all her problems started.  Its been 7 days now since her shot and, yes, the pain isnt as bed day to day but its still there, THE ACHES & PAINS.  Its mainly just in her back with some pains going to her chest, but yesterday she started getting it in her legs as well.  Her pain is so bad that she had to take pain killers, the pain killers helped, but thats when the itching started.  She almost tore up her entire skin, thats how bad it is.  Benadryl doest work, she goes through tubes of Cortizone cream now, her neck puffed up from itching it constantly.  She barely sleeps because of her back pains.  My main question is did anyone else expirience such BAD aches and pains from this shot?  and did anyone else have any itching in result of chemo or this shot?  How long do these pains last?  We were told just 2-3 days, but its been a week and making me very worried. Every day the pain decreases but still there.  Just today the Doctor perscribed her new pain killers that hopefully will not have the itching side effect.  Any suggestions would also be very helpful,  Thanks so much.

[MickeyVicki]

Unfortunately, these problems are so common with chemotherapy that it is considered a normal situation.  You are doing the right thing, though - always discuss the side effects with the doctor, and also ask for advice that you can get from nurses working in the treatment center, as well as the patients in the treatment center.



I know that friends who have undergone chemo have had nurses recommend bathing in lukewarm water with Aveeno bath additive.  These same friends have all complained about the pain in the legs and feet, and most stated that the pain was the worst about one week after the treatment.



Honestly, to me, the greatest value of cancer support groups is the ability to get such advice on these types of topics.  So, you might consider that option as well.

[sueg]

Hazel, is this immune shots-neupogen for her white blood count?.If it is, I had them once a day for three days.The first two days every bone in my body ached and I just stayed in bed,or had a hot long soak in the bath.I added oatmeal to the bath water-my nurse recommended it in case I got any itching but I didn't-don't know whether that was down to the oatmeal or not.By the third dose it wasn't too bad-at the end of the week I felt fine.I'm in England and here my Doc wont give Neupogen,especially to elderly ladies, unless they really need it because of all these added problems-the chemo's bad enough as it is! Sue.

[MisiaMaja]

http://www.cancer-prevention.net

PLease read this REPORT on other possibilities to help with Cheemo's bad reactions and terrible symptoms.

Ela.

[Barney22]

Did they choose to give your mother immune shots for a reason?  For example her white cell count was originally low?  I'm intrigued because I was never offered them at my London hospital and went through 6 cycles last year with my blood counts staying reasonably OK.  I was 64 so no spring chicken although fairly well.  I think they manage it (in some cases) at my hospital by delaying the next cycle for a week to allow the blood to recover a bit and also in my case they reduced the Taxol a little when the neuropathy in my feet and hands got bad.  The immune shots sound awful!  If they get worse it might be worth asking if they are essential?  I've just started chemo again and nobody has mentioned it this time either.  Perhaps as Sueg says they don't give them so much in the UK.

[dian07]

I am not familiar with what your mom is getting after her chemo; I got an injection in the back of my arm. The drug I got is called "Neulasta" and is manufactured by AMGEN.

I tell you what; I didn't think my body, including the bottom of my feet could hurt so bad; I didn't think sleeping could be so difficult and painful. I didn't know elbows and shoulders could hurt for no reason; I didn't know my spine could hurt...vertebra by vertebra.  Crazy! When I gagged, brushing my teeth, I wasn't sure if I had broken ribs or was experiencing a heart attack.........I can honestly say I know where your mom is comming from, and it is not fun, but if she can take that she can fight anything!

I didn't dread the chemo as much as I dreaded the side effects of Neulasta!  I think my second and third doses were the worst.

I was given different pain meds until we found the right one. My doctor was great; and still is; so were the nurses.

I finished my chemo in October, and the wait and watch continues.  So far so good. I think these terrible injections are very important, however, and I am thankful they are available.

Please report any rashes to your onc quickly as that might be an allergic reaction to her pain meds. I am a little younger than your mom; 56 this month. She is one tough lady; please give her my very best, and let her know how much I respect her for fighting back so bravely; it takes real guts.

Peace to you and your mom.   dian

[kathy o]

Also had itching but it did go away after a few chemos.

[kathy o]

Ditto here, Neulasta is designed to start working about a week after the chemo, I still felt is early on. The pain was almost intolerable. I am closer to home now so I get Neupogen shots this time and they are just as bad. I feel like my body has convulsing pain, at this time I do take my Vicodin every 4 hours. Normally I only take one a day. For some reason this time around the Chemo is really kicking my butt for almost two weeks. Legs and left side pain when I try and walk any distance.