Some people get bone pain and some don't. I think procrit may be the same way. I didn't have that side effect with either but perhaps we can hear from someone else. It would be a good thing to know how long the pain lasts after a shot.
There is little correlation between a very low ANC and infections, but the doctors like to play it safe. The main side effect of neupogen is the achy bone feeling, but I didn't feel much from the shots. I was on it from week 8 to 48 and it kept me from any dose reductions. But I agree, I wasn't thrilled to inject something else into my body. Good luck to you.
In general terms, white blood cells are known as leukocytes. White blood cells have several components; neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, esonophils and basophils. If hubby is on treatment the particular component that's getting the doc's attention is neutrophil, which can be affected by the drugs. The 'resuce' drug that is used is "Neupogen".
I got a call from my doctor 3 months into my hep c treatment that I had no white blood cells and had to get a shot of neupogen immediately! I was on neupogen for 7 months, and I had all kinds of side effects from it, especially on my left upper back and shoulder (it felt as if maggots were gnawing at my bones). I had pains everywhere which made me have panic attacks that I was having a stroke, not the case. Every time I showed up at the doctor telling him I was dying he said I was fine.
Although her ca125 decreased only from 199 to 169 for the first chemo, her side effect was not that severe in the first time. For the second chemo, she felt really sick, did not want to eat, and alwyas felt really tired, and now the blood test got low numbers too. I am a little worried about her situation and donot know what we can do to help her. Her gyn doctor is 9 hours drive away and it is always difficult to get information from the doctor.
My dr. wouldnt let me have my shot today and told me no shot or pills for 2 weeks, then theyll start again. my white blood cell count was 2. will my tx be as effective if they stop and start???? I've only been on it 3 weeks and i'm just wondering if anyone knows how this will effect my tx.
The Hematologist said he was going to start him on Neupogen is anyone else taking this and is it working for them. He also said that he may need a transfusion , which is freaking my husband out because that is how we suspect he contracted the Hep c orignally (back in the 80s). I told him that they screen the blood much differently now then they did back then , but he is still freaking out. Anyone who is taling Neupogen please let me know if it is helping.
Of course, hard to be certain given no blood values were posted, but it certainly seems that way. Like you suggest, in general Neupogen is preferred to reducing the Peg dose, and Procrit preferred to reducing the riba. In this case, it seems like both drugs are being stopped, and early-on, where stoppiing the drugs can have the most negative effect.
lasta is longer working, but I think the side effects (mostly bone pain) were worse than Neupogen which, for me, was side effect free. I also took a look at the charges to my insurance co. Neulasta was $7000 (yes, thousand) per shot. Neup was $400. Even with the longer lasting aspect, Neulasta was more expensive. I prefer the shorter and more frequent Neupogen for both the cost (although I did not even have a copay) and the lack of sides, even considering the increased inconvienience.
I believe that your pain complaints are valid and this may be a side effect of neupogen shots (this bone pain can be part of the usual 'flu like' side effects associated with the drug). If you are experiencing pain from this treatment, then I believe it is inhuman to withhold pain medications for you, though I agree there can also be side effects from the chronic intake of pain medications (such as dependence or kidney problems).
Hi..There is no concrete data that taking Neup will have an effect of lowering platlets.,however there is significant data that the use of Neup is for the most part unnecessary for patients receiving HCV therapy.(you may be interested in the discussion here I linked below.
Having said that many doctors will prescribe it if the ANC(neutrophils drop down to approx. .5 . even given the data that says HCV therap patients having problems with bacterial infection is extremely rare.
"I know my spleen is enlarged but I figure it's working overtime trying to get my blood counts back to normal levels."
That is NOT TRUE. The spleen does NOT get enlarged for that reason. If your spleen was NOT enlarged before you started treatment, the fact that it is enlarged now would be worrisone. I'm not sure using Neupogen on somebody who has an enlarged spleen is safe since Neupogen can cause the spleen to rupture.
Many of you have advised me throughout my drop in anc which was 280 at it's lowest last week it was 6500
4 weeks ago started neupogen 300 mcg once weekly, I am monitored every two weeks. I've been told to keep taking it once weekly with no dose reduction. I thought that you don't want the anc to go high in the range and that the idea is to keep the the neup at the minimum to bring you to a safe level!
I'm lucky it did nothing for me except make me stop fainting. That was a blessed thing! I always thought neup caused the bone pain.....never knew Procrit could too.
Do I take it the same in the stomach or thigh the I take neupogen and interferon? I I took my INF yesterday, is it okay to take the procrit today? How long does it take to work, I've heard 2 weeks. My hgb was 7.7 on friday when they took blood.
Thanks for advice!
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