How important is Neulasta after chemo?

[rsgdmd]

Got my 1st Decetaxel chemo yesterday & problems with insurance covering Neulasta, which they wanted me to take. So last message I get was $4000 to buy at pharmacy and not too worry for this time & will get insurance settled for next ones. My white count, pre-chemo was a little low - 3.4 (4 - 11 is normal). Does this sound ok to you?

[Tall_Allen]

$4000 out of pocket for an infusion that is approved?

Your white count is only a little low, but all the more reason to get Neulasta.

[rsgdmd in reply to Tall_Allen]

Supposed to have been approved but wasn't. Somebody messed up by not looking into this sooner with the insurance. Office is now closed due to holiday weekend, but just heard from my Dr who says it's OK for this time. My WBC count is still ok & Neulasta isn't needed for the 1st time, but will be in future due to cumulative effects. Due for blood work on Thursday so will see. Not happy but will be saved after effects which I hear can be pretty bad.

[Tall_Allen in reply to rsgdmd]

They can always give it if they find neutropenia afterward. If you have fever, go to the ER.

[rsgdmd]

Yeah, I know. Thanks

[tango65]

Normal WBC is 4,500 to 11,000. Normal values of neutrophils are between 2,500 to 7,000. Neulasta is used to prevent or treat neutropenia caused by chemo.

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal....

[Hidden]

We just finished a 6-month Jevtana course that took 8 1/2 months because his white blood cell counts tanked. He received Neulasta twice and felt GREAT after both treatments. They didn’t give it to him after the last treatment and he’s still working to get his counts back up. I wish they would have allowed it with our last infusion.

[podsart in reply to Hidden]

Did he get Docetaxel chemo before jevtana ?

[Hidden in reply to podsart]

When he was initially diagnosed he had six months of docetaxel. But we didn’t need anything to maintain his blood counts then.

[podsart in reply to Hidden]

Thanks; good luck

[larry_dammit]

It worked for me but sure did hurt.

[Hidden]

Listen to medical oncologist and quit worrying.

GD

[JD-guy]

My experience, the first time I did not get the neulasta. White blood count went to all but zero. I got a fever from neutropenia and needed to go to the ER. Listen to T-A advice. My count was higher then yours. I am self pay and it was going to cost 3000.00. They applied to the pharma. company and they paid it. I would not and did not do another one without it. Again my experience. Thanks

[DER326 in reply to JD-guy]

Same here

[j-o-h-n]

Mr. Pastafazul asks the Pharmacist "I wanna buy some new Lasta, how mucha costa? Pharmacist replies "3 to 4 thousand bucks" Mr. Pastafazul says "in that case give me da old Lasta"

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 07/02/2022 11:05 AM DST

[monte1111]

I was given Zarxio (Filgrastim). But it was a shot, every day, for three days. Don't know why they didn't give me Neulasta. Made my legs ache like hell. Others here have said to take Claritin to lessen the aching issue. I had not found this site and suffered.