This time
around in chemo, my oncologist prescribed Neulasta, which is a shot that is
given within 24 hours of treatment. It helps build your white blood count so you
can fight potential infections. I never had this before, even when I was at my
very worst, but I trust that my doctor knows what he’s doing. He’s told me
several times that in many cases, it’s not the cancer that kills the patient,
it’s secondary stuff like infections. So I try to be very careful and take care
of myself. If this shot gives me a boost, great! However, there is something
about this shot that I want to post so any BC fighters out there who are also on
Neulasta can have some comfort. Several days after the shot, my bones feel
weird, almost electric. It’s hard to describe, but the bones in my upper and
lower back, and sometimes my shoulders feel like they have a strong pulse. Just
little things like going pee and pushing a little while you pee – something we
all do, makes them pulse even more. It’s the weirdest feeling ever, definitely
not cancer pain or typical muscle pain. It’s just different. I work in the
office as much as I can because the routine really helps my sanity. On chemo
days or the day after treatment, sometimes I’ll work from home when I’m feeling
really tired. But this “electric bones” feeling sometimes lasts for several days
and it’s frustrating because I have a hard time sitting still and focusing on my
work.
Yesterday, I was in a lot of pain and trying to resist taking an opiate
because I don’t want to take them and then drive. My husband works in the
commonwealth attorney’s office, so getting a DUI for being high would probably
embarrass John a little bit, LOL. A Tylenol or Advil takes the edge off, but I
Googled it yesterday because I was just about to go nuts from the pain. I came
across a BC blog where several women posted that they also had terrible bone
pain after the shot, and that Claritin really helped. Apparently, something in
the Neulasta has the same kind of effect as a histamine, so taking an
antihistamine can counter the effects of pain. I always have Wal-Mart brand
Claritin on hand, and sure enough a few hours after taking one, I started to
feel better. I wanted to post this here because I don’t know who reads my blog,
or how often. The blog gets a lot of hits, most of them probably accidental. But
if I can help at least one other BC fighter/survivor, it’s totally worth putting
all of my thoughts out here. If anyone is suffering from bone pain due to these
shots, give Claritin a try. Since Claritin is a 24 hour pill, it takes a few
hours to kick in, but knowing that relief is on the way is comforting. :o) Now
keep in mind that I’m no doctor. I have an average intelligence and IQ, so
everything I post out here is purely from my experiences with BC, treatment,
etc. I’m sure a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can tell you much more about the
benefits and/or risks. I just think that when there is pain, you will try about
anything to feel better. I know I would!
