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Do you know about \"Filgrastim\" (Neupogen)
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They want to start me on Filgrastim the day after tomorrow (after chemo # 5, yea) It's because my blood counts are almost always down. I get pushed back a week or two each time. From reading the info flyer this medicine sounds dangerous and potient (course chemo is dangerous and potient). I have to give myself (or I can drive to a nurse) a shot in the stomach for 10 days in a row (need to learn how to do that) This med is supposed to build white blood cells. Does anybody know about this med and how it effects a person. Thank you, g
Posted on 06/09/09, 10:06 am |
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It's a stimulator of bone marrow to produce WBC. Injected subcutaneously. Side effect are rare. That's what I heard, never got it myself. 
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My white count was down on #4 a few weeks ago not low enough to delay treatment but I was given a shot of Pegfilgrastim on the day my pump was removed. My white count was back to normal on #5. My treatment was delayed for 1 week because of low Platlets. Dr said one did not have anything to do with the other. Nurse told me Dr has ordered a shot after each Chemo treatment. Will discuss this with Dr next week. Not sure about side effects. I have been more wiped out last two treatments not sure if it's Chemo or shot.
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Neupogen has been around for as long as I can remember - mid-1990's at least. It's given fairly routinely to women with breast & ovarian cancers, since the chemos for those cancers are really tough on the bone marrow, and it's also used for bone marrow and stem cell transplants. I've never known anyone to have a serious (or any) side effect from it, but I'm sure it can happen. Those flyers can be very scary. We live in a very litigious society where drug companies have to protect themselves from lawsuits by disclosing every possible risk.
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Sunnygal - Your doc is right. Low WBC's, RBC's and platelets are all different, and treated differently. There is a drug called Epogen for low RBC's and one called Neumega for low platelets, but I don't think Neumega works all that well and they usually prefer to do blood transfusions for the platelets.
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Hope I don't have to have a transfusion!!!Wonder why the shot is given differantly? G what is your white count?
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Sandy (Sunnie) My white count varies, up & down, but it is mostly one step forward, two steps back. So I wasn't too surprised to hear they want to give me the shots. Not sure why you and others get the shots in a different manner ??? I had first day of chemo yesterday, go in today for second round so will ask the nurse / pharmacist today for more info. I have a bad case of osteoprosis, hope that doesn't have anything to do with effects or whatever with this new med. I know they have to cover their butts against law suits, but the side effects listed scare me. My crazy body over reacts to all medications so I will ask for a lower dose at first to see how I do on it, and increase for each shot if I'm ok. Thanks for your input. g
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