Going On Neupogen

[settecasi1]

Hi Folks,

I have not been around for a while. I'm in my 2nd TX @ week 12 or 48.
I start neupogen tonight. You all know that story.

Can I get some work on what to expect or see as a trouble sign?
I hear about spleen plain or pressure from inflammation, joint and or bone pain?

If it holds true to form like me on the peg and riba, I hope it's no more than common.

[Kit-c]

I guess there is a few of us starting at the same time,,
nice to have someone to share highs and lows,.,.,.,

I am in Canada,and the injection I took was called,(Pegasys),,
I am on the 48 week plan-

Well I am off to see how sleep will be,,,,

See ya,,,,Gale

[mauilady]

When my WBCs (on TX) dropped to 1.8, I was put on neupogen.  The lowest my HGB got was 9.7, last week of TX.  After TX, my WBCs dropped to 1.1, hence the neup.

Yeah, I sure hope this does the trick because I'm getting tired of this and want to put it all behind me!!!  But, I had a terrific 3 weeks before going back on the neupogen; life on the other side is wonderful!  Like someone said recently, it's like coming out of a coma.  But it sure takes time for your body to adjust... I've been going through some other stuff that I don't want to bore everyone with---like 2 CT scans today.  Abdominal issues, hopefully minor.  (Basically, the lab tech said that I had a lot of stool in my intestines... uh huhhhhh... "You saying I'm full of s---??"!!  LOL) ;-]

[katerika]

How low is low for WBC count& Hemeglobin!
My WBC is 3.3 and Heme is 11. I won't bother you with the rest of the tests I am flunking! Maybe I am not flunking only getting a ;D.
Ter

[Teufelhunden]

Sorry to hear about your low WBC's. Bummer when you finish treatment and still have to do that ****. Other than that, how you doing?  Boy, what a difference when I finished tx!  It's a wonderful feeling!   I hope you're experiencing the same (minus the Neup).  Best wishes!

[FullOfHope77]

it can certainly be of great help when needed but has sx that are a bit steep

[mauilady]

I've been off Tx since June 22nd, but I'm back on the ol' neupogen because of my very low WBCs.  I'm doing it for 5 days in a row; just did my 3rd shot---full dose.  I never got the headache, but I got the "sore bones" ache.  About a half hour after the shot, it feels like someone has grabbed the back of my neck.  After about 10 minutes that sensation goes away.  By itself, it isn't nearly as intense as it was taken with Peg/Riba, but it still sends me to the sofa.  I don't think I get edgy... but then you'd have to ask my husband!!!!  LOL  

Bottom line is: when your WBCs plummet, ya gotta get them back up~~

[mauilady]

I'm trying not to shuffle... but moving around, up and down hills, squatting, etc, can be a major pain.  My hips and knees hurt.

[FL_Gal]

I didn't chicken out!  I did mine at about 10 last night.  Injected it very slowly, and it didn't hurt going in.  I like the pre-filled syringe.

Today I was edgy and irritable all day, but who knows if that was from the Neulasta or for some other reason.  

Sette, what was your wbc before the Neup?  Do you work?

[settecasi1]

Did the 1st shot last night. So far no changes.
I'll keep you posted.

[painterlady13]

Wow I took neupogen for 6 months and twice a week for 4 of those months. the only side effect I really ever got was some mild bone pain in my shins.  But I have heard that Neulasta was much stronger and caused more sides and more bone pain Take care
Nicki

[orphanedhawk]

I took neup for about 4 months until they upped my dosage and I almost lost it. For me, it hit me hard emotionally about 30 minutes after the shot. I'd spend a day laying around. Then I'd have a couple of  days where I felt up and good. I had some aches and towards the end my hips started hurting. A heating pad helped. I came to absolutely hate the stuff but I was doing 300mg 2X weekly.
   I would suggest you ask your doctor how high he wants your wbc or neutrophils before you can stop. Be diligent. I heard recently that shitake mushrooms were helpful in improving wbc levels.
       Good luck

[settecasi1]

Thanks,  I'll report. I just administered my first one @ 9:00pm. I do the peg on Fridays.

[Teufelhunden]

Had to been the Neup. The first four weeks I had to use a cane on the weekends. And then when my body adjusted to it, the cane went away but going up and down stairs or walking the dog, or just plain walking was quite a chore!!  And winded. I got winded easily. But once the Neup was stopped, the severity of the aches and pains dimished quite a bit.

[settecasi1]

Thanks Guys,

.
@Teufelhden, what gave you the shuffles? The nup or peg?

[debnevada]

....i'm told you can use tylenol.  I mean don't go crazy but you can use it unless you have ESLD

[Teufelhunden]

I was on Neupogen my first 12 weeks and came to dread it. The headaches came like clockwork on Thursday afternoon (neup day) and lasted throughout the evening. Then Friday was my Peg day and the weekend was aches and pains and shuffling. It was difficult to walk normal so I had to shuffle. The reason for the Neupogen (according to my doctor) was my WBC was low. But after the 12th week, he started reading my ANC and decided to stop the Neup unless my ANC dropped (my WBC still stayed low, go figure). And then it was my platelets he wanted to watch and of course, close to the end of my treatment, he decided Hemoglobin was the star of the day. Sometimes I felt like an experiment (oh wait, I forgot... we are).  Anyway,  some people use it for a rescue drug, some are on it throughout their entire treatment, some do it 2-3 times a week, some give it to themselves and like me, some will get once a week it if the doctor deems it. Sorry to hear about 2nd time around. Good luck on this one!

[sfwandwow]

I thought we cant use tylenol

[FL_Gal]

I don't know the answers to your questions, but I'll be right there with you.  I start my Neulasta tonight (if I don't chicken out again).  We can compare sides and settle the burning debate between Neulasta and Neupogen. ;-)

[motheroffour]

H gets a pounding headache from Neupogen that lasts about 6-7 hours and starts about 5 hours after his Neup shot.  He really "hates" the stuff.  The Riba and Peg didn't bother him too much, a little headache here and there, alittle urpy in the morning, alittle achy but nothing that stopped him cold,  but the Neup gets him.  He has to take several tylenols and just wait it out til the headache subsides.  He doesn't get body aches, bone pain or any of that other stuff, just a plain old pounding headache for a little while.