Injections after chemo

[Guilane]

Hi lovely ladies, I have HGSOC stage 4 and am about to begin my third lot of chemo in two weeks time. This time it’s Caelyx and I will need to give myself the injections for 5 days after the infusion. I dread this process and really don’t think I can do it this time. Does anyone else know if it is possible to get help with this? I’m ok with having the injections I just can’t face doing them myself any more. Thank you. Gill X

[Caleda4]

Hi ,I had those filgrastim injections which I did myself,but I was told that a nurse would come out and do them if I didn't want to. So it would be worth you asking either your team or your Macmillan nurse beforehand. I finished 3rd line carbo/caelyx last August,for hgs. I am now at present on watch and wait. I actually found it easier than carbo/taxol. I wish you luck.xxx

[Guilane in reply to Caleda4]

Thank you for your reply Caleda4. It makes me feel more comfortable asking now I know it is possible that someone else would do it. Maybe not so much of a wuss! Thanks for the info on Caelyx, I’ve been told it’s more aggressive than carbo on its own, which didn’t work for me, but less so than carbo/taxol. We can only try. Good luck on watch and wait. Gill X

[Erinna72 in reply to Guilane]

hi, I have had that regime and what I suffered worse from was my skin - it affects the palms of your hands and soles of the feet - they go bright red and you need to cream to avoid cracks. Also, avoid hot water and tight fitting clothes and shoes as it can affect all your body. They also told me to take Vitamin B6. I am on it again with Yondelis - 6th round!!!! 😓

[SopSinger]

Ask for a nurse to come and do it - if the chemo nurse can't, maybe your GP practice nurse or a district nurse.

[Flute_7]

Hello Guilane, I also had to give myself injections which I hated but got used to, however I too was told someone at the hospital could do it for me, so definitely worth asking.

As an alternative, my mother who has a phobia when it comes to needles bought numbing cream over the counter at her local pharmacy, I think she used to put it on about 20 mins or so before giving herself an injection to give the area time to become numb. Obviously check with your nurse first just incase there is a reason why you shouldn’t use it, but I have everything crossed it works for you 🤞🏼🤞🏼 Xx

[Guilane]

Thank you all for your advice. I spoke to my lovely Chemo girls yesterday and they said no problem we’ll get a distinct nurse to do them for you. I can’t tell you how relieved I am, I feel like a great weight has been lifted. Now I just need the chemo to work. Good luck everyone. Gill X

[Sashay2020 in reply to Guilane]

Good luck with your chemo, Gil. I hope and pray that it will be very effective fir you.

Sashay

[Eriksendi]

I was unable to do mine too so the hospital arranged for the district nurse to do mine.

[Guilane]

Thank you both. X

[Realistic]

Thats totally understandable your not on your own. Either get your team to sort it for you. Or even your own Doctors should be help to help you out. Good luck love & hugs Sheila xxx

[Summergold2]

there is a device that is applied to your body and 25 hours AFTER you have received chemo it self medicates and you can remove it. It is called Neulasta and my chemo doc actually helped develop it as well

[PlantPower]

Sorry for the late reply to this post but i have just seen it. How are you coping with the tummy injections of filgrastim? You might be able to get the district nurses to do them for you. They come to do mine as I am partially sighted due to a stroke caused by my cancer. It's worth contacting your GP to explain and they might refer you to the DNs for the rest of your chemo course. How are you coping on calyx? Much love xxxx

[Guilane in reply to PlantPower]

Thank you PlantPower and all you other lovely ladies. I spoke to my oncologist who said the injections are only to boost your bloods and your bloods are fine, so don’t have the injections. Just like that! After all that worry! Big thanks to you all, as I wouldn’t have even questioned the injections without your advice. I would have kept on dreading those five days! As far as Caelyx is going, I’ve had two sessions so far. Apart from fatigue, not helped by contracting a very aggressive strain of covid which really knocked me for six, I seem to be tolerating it well. I’m keeping my hands and feet moisturised and, so far, have had no peeling. I hope I haven’t jinxed it now! Gill X

[PlantPower in reply to Guilane]

So glad you are coping well with Caelyx but I thought it was routine to get filgrastim injections but maybe not with Caelyx. You did get a nasty reaction to Covid, though, but thankfully got through that, too. Keep going as you are as you are doing all the right things. I get my check CT in a week to see how it's going for me. Fingers crossed xxxxxx