G-CSF

[ricky23]

Hi there.... Has anyone had this run alongside carboplatin at all ?

😀😀😀😀

[Sunfleury-UK]

I was neutropenic from the start with single agent carboplatin.. They tried deferrals and levels continued to drop so ended up have the gcfs injections (there were two types and I needed the big dose one after each chemo). Had some achy ness in legs but otherwise no great issue. They just about held my neutrophil levels at a point whereby the chemo could be completed... Sx

[ricky23 in reply to Sunfleury-UK]

Ah that's reassured me my white cells reading was 0.62.. not sure what that means except he gave me Christmas off chemo.... but still worrying not having it. It's a double edged sword!! Thank you.

Hoping you are well ....x

[Sunfleury-UK in reply to ricky23]

Hi Ricky, yes I remember feeling quite anxious when mine was deferred. Mine was deferred twice and additionally the dose of carboplatin was reduced (the dose is often increased if having carboplatin on its own, so the reduction took it down to the level when given with Taxol). It's a fairly 'normal' thing for oncologists to defer but for the person having chemo, if it's not explained clearly, can be concerning... I'd read that it was likely towards the end of the course but this happened very early on in mine... It transpired that there are a couple of options if your WBC doesn't recover sufficiently on its own and as I mentioned above, they needed to try a couple of approaches with mine. I did, with these injections, get to the end of the course and I've been fortunate to be NED since then (just over 3 1/2 yrs).

There isn't much to do yourself to boost neutrophil levels, but do be careful and try to avoid infection at this time. Apologies if you already know this!! I kept an eye on my temperature, was careful with hygiene etc (plenty of hand washing and anti-bac), cautious about exposing myself to unneccesary risks etc etc... It was Christmas when this was happening so for me, it was a balance with also wanting to spend time with those I love and not wanting to put everything on hold... Think it was probably as much luck as judgement but I did get through the whole thing without any infections!

Take good care of you and I wish you hope and strength,

Sx

[pishi1]

Hi, I had CSF injections every 5 out of 7 days. I did tire of it as I had to administer it myself in the evenings but after a while I got used to it. It did help to keep the white cell count up. Good luck.

[ricky23 in reply to pishi1]

Thank you. Glad its not too bad!!

[HogwartsDK]

I had the Neulasta the day after Chemo and I injected myself! It wasn't too bad there was aches in my legs and other limbs but they were bearable!

Good luck!

Dx

[Yoshbosh]

I had to do the injections for 5 of my 6 chemo cycles. My neutrophils were on the floor each time. Below 1 is a concern, so 0.62 isn't great, but at least it's not too far from the magic number. Mine were at 0.04 at their lowest 😳

The injections are fine, but you have to keep them cold. They weren't that bad to do.

[Lost4Words]

I had these a few times and they weren't too bad. A little trick: I injected mine near to my scar (not too close) as the area was still numb so I don't know if they hurt or not!!

I did find I got some pain in my hips if I got too warm but paracetamol sorted that. If you do take paracetamol remember it lowers your temp so be careful of infection signs.

L4W

[GBIRVMIC]

Yes for the very same reason I too had those... few achy limbs but not too bad.. oh yes they have to live in the fridge... all the best Love Michelle xx💐

[Hidden]

Yes.... I now get it routinely as it was such a problem with first line carbo. You can get horrible bone aches from it forcing to make the bone marrow work hard, but I found this wasn't a problem with short bursts of it with carbogem. Epsom salts help.

Try and go for the fewest number of consecutive doses to do the trick.

Good luckx

[Catfeeder in reply to Hidden]

Hi, stupid question but did you bathe in Epsom salts, was this pre or post injection etc thanks x

[Lyndy]

I was sooo grateful for it because I kept getting neutropenia ans was admitted to hospital each chemo until I got the injections. X

[ricky23]

Thank you everyone for all your support and help. I feel a lot better. I had no idea I was having this until a letter came via my GP . But if it helps then that's all good.

Merry Christmas to all and hope you are all feeling as well as you can xxxx

[Bobbyo1]

I have been having these injections on and off for quite time now usually two days before treatment and 7 days after I do experience aches in legs as it sapping the bone marrow to boost neutrophils my husband has great joy administing them but I was a neutraphenia before I had cancer but just had antibiotics when my white cells were low