I had my first Docetaxel infusion 3 weeks ago. I had a bad reaction and was put in hospital for 5 days because of a low white blood cell count - 5 - and low sodium count of 119. I believe the reaction was because I could not eat for 3 days due to a severe case of acid reflux. That was fixed with medication.
My MO has now decided to give me a lower dose of Docetaxel and a Neupogen shot to increase my white blood cell count. The side effects of Neupogen look horrible. Severe bone pain etc.
Have any of you had a Neupogen shot during Chemo and what were the side effects? Thanks so much for your help and support.
Hi there,I contracted Neutropenic Sepsis during my 2nd cycle of Docetaxel. I was prescribed self administered injections of Filgrastim which, I think, is the same as Neupogen. I had to inject myself for the 1st ten days after each session of chemo. The problem then is, how can you tell which drug is causing which reaction? Looking back, Filgrastim did cause some bone pain (as a result of generating white blood cells), but it was not exceptional, and quite bearable.
When you read up on the side effects of some of these drugs, you find yourself wondering why the hell you are taking them. In the case of Filgrastim, I found the benefit much greater than the pain. I hope you find the same thing.
Thanks so much for your helpful input. My MO suggested I take 1 Claritin and 1 Aleve for 5 days after infusion. She also prescribed morphine if I need it.
I had this via an auto-injector that I wore home from docetaxel/carboplatin, and it did its thing 27 hours later. All 9 dosings went smoothly and well. I was not aware of any side effects and did not take clariten. The precaution and help is certainly worth it!
PSA kept going up throughout except for the month we added carboplatin, when it took a dip, but then it kept increasing. I am now finishing radium223 next Monday.
When I started: 66.3. 1 month = 55.0 2 months - 60.3 3 = 58.3 4 = 59.6 5 = 70.4.Mayo oncologists mostly agreed that one should save radium223 for palliation, but I talked my local consultant into trying it before palliation was needed. The oncologists said my PSA would surge for six months (for no good reason) and then I'd have to quickly start chemo. While the surge hasn't really happened, I hope that the OS (Outcome Survival) has. After dosing #4 I had 17 days of my most significant metastatic pains ever ... no one is willing to guess if that is radiated metastases "complaining" or progression. Because of covid there have been no nuclear bone or CT scans. I will have those in late April one month following dosing #6.
I too had a very bad reaction to the Docetaxel. Almost went to emergency room, but cancer center had sufficient equipment and proper method to bring me around. They then changed me to Gemzar chemo. After 5 months it didn’t work. PSA went from 4 to 10 to 20 to 40 and now 70. I am now on Novantrone. It is a much older form of chemo and is very strong. They started me with half doses the first 2 sessions. This stuff is dark blue in color and turns your urine blue and sometimes the whites of your eyes. Goes away in a day or two with plenty of water. I had the shot for my white cells also. Was told to take Claritin D ( not the plain Claritin). All side effects went away. Only took it on the days I go a shot.Good luck.
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