Neutropenic fever landed me in the hospital after 1st Taxotere infusion

[V10fanatic]

3 days after my first infusion I woke up to a cruel new world. The neuropathy I had previously dealt with in my feet lit up like a Christmas tree and had spread to the whole of both legs. Walking was nearly impossible due to the numbness, crippling weakness in both legs, and horrible pain in my ankles and knees. A couple days later I got lightheaded and passed out while in the bathroom. Luckily I fell forward and the water tank kept me from hitting the floor. My wife thought I had a stroke and died. We went to the ER and I was admitted for 4 days on Sepsis watch. Both my WBC and RBC were hammered. I received 6 doses of Filgastrim, 7 or 8 IV bags of broad spectrum anti-biotics, along with numerous tests, but they never pinned down the type of infection. It's now 3 weeks post infusion and my feet and legs haven't recovered, and it appears that I've primed my immune system for further infections down the line according to this study- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

"In a large cohort study using nationwide data from electronic health records, we examined if FN within 180 days after initiation of chemotherapy is a predictor of long-term risk of infection and poor outcomes among cancer patients. We found that FN following chemotherapy was associated with a long-term increased risk of infection, with an approximately 2-fold increase in risk among patients who had experienced FN compared with patients who had not developed FN within 180 days after initiation of chemotherapy. An infectious event after completion of chemotherapy was associated with a markedly increased risk of death in the following month, and the increased risk of death persisted up to 6 months after the infection."

Anybody else experience a neutrophils count of ZERO? Did the following infusions land you back in the hospital? My MO has switched me over to Jevtana, but the likelihood of Neutropenia is statistically higher with it vs. Taxotere- ugh.

[Tall_Allen]

IDK why it wasn't routine to give you Neulasta along with chemo.

[V10fanatic in reply to Tall_Allen]

I was told that Medicare wouldn't approve it. So, instead of a $5000 Neulasta shot, they got hit with a $40K hospital bill. The sad state of healthcare in this country is on full display with this one.

[Tall_Allen in reply to V10fanatic]

Medicare has approved it for 3 guys I know.

[Shams_Vjean in reply to Tall_Allen]

You can make it 4 now TA, via traditional Medicare for me.

[leebeth in reply to V10fanatic]

Perhaps an Advantage Plan? Traditional Medicare covers this without needing approval.

[HikerWife in reply to V10fanatic]

My husband is on a Medicare Advantage plan, and his Neulasta shot was covered.

[leebeth in reply to HikerWife]

Each Advantage Plan is different, but since approval was needed, it is likely an Advantage Plan, as traditional Medicare covers without prior auth.

[V10fanatic]

I have the United Healthcare Advantage plan. It appears that my MO let me down. What a shame I had to go through all this grief unnecessarily.

[leebeth in reply to V10fanatic]

I would say that your Advantage Plan let you down.

[Islandboy2021]

My first time having Docetaxel in 2017 I crashed and got very sick after the first infusion. I was hospitalized for 5 days was given a full spectrum antibiotic infusion every 6 hours. Then after the second Docetaxel I was offered Neulasta that was given the 3rd day for 5 days.

Now I am having 10 treatments of Docetaxel and I had to have my extended medical plan cover the costs for the Neulasta. The great Canadian medical system still will not approve Neulasta up front as it is not SOC. Now I start the Neulasta the 3rd day for 10 days. Also I take 16mg of Dexamethasone for 3 days starting the day before chemo and then 1.5mg Dexamethasone the remaining days until the next infusion.

I have completed 2 treatments and have not had any adverse effects yet.

[Hidden in reply to Islandboy2021]

I receive a Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta) injection 24 hours after each chemo treatment. SOC in Ontario.

[Islandboy2021 in reply to Hidden]

I guess it’s different between Provinces.

[32Percenter in reply to Hidden]

I think it varies by oncologist. I'm in Ontario too, and didn't get Neulasta until after shot 3 of Taxotere (got nasty FN after shot #2, which prompted the MO to add Neulasta to my regimen)

[Juliane314 in reply to Islandboy2021]

My dad is being treated in Ontario, he is offered Lapelaga (a biosimilar to Neulasta) for his Docetaxel treatment. He takes it 24h after each infusion.

[j-o-h-n]

Next Electric invention: "A click on your phone will send an electric shock to the ass-hole on the other end. Extra shock for doctors, medical staff and health insurance personnel". No extra cost just free of charge of course.

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 12/02/2023 12:38 PM EST

[Joeym1040 in reply to j-o-h-n]

Good one. I bet everyone on this site could add a special group or person!

[j-o-h-n in reply to Joeym1040]

I guess you know my ex-wife.........

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Saturday 12/02/2023 2:20 PM EST

[robert570]

I have castrate resistant prostate cancer. I've had Taxotere, Jevtana, Jevtana with Carboplatin, Neulasta, and Epoetin Alfa, which is given to boost my red blood counts, since I am anemic, Abiterone Acetate with prednisone, Xtandi, Provenge, Lupron Depot, Xgeva shots, and Pluvicto. I'm sure I left something out. Oh, thats right, I had radiation also. I have metastatic bone cancer also. I started out with a little stiffness in my feet and now 10 years later, I have 2 cement blocks that are tight and stiff with shooting pains through my big toes. I have been stage 4 prostate cancer for all these years. Too many medicines and combinations to list. They told me that they were going to throw everything but the kitchen sink at me and they have. I think they are running out of options soon. Positive thinking will keep me going. I will never quit.