Low white blood cell count - Filgrastim - any experiences?

I had 4 rounds of EC and used Filgrastim on days 5-9 of each cycle. I then switched to weekly Paclitaxel and didn’t have it then. The injections are self retracting, you pinch up a bit of skin, put the syringe in at a 45 degree angle, press the plunger and it self retracts once it has released its dose. I found they made me very achy, particularly on the first couple of days, easing up thereafter. Paracetamol didn’t touch it, but ibuprofen helped. The aches were particularly bad in a shoulder and finger that have osteoarthritis. They also temporarily gave me tinnitus. I found them the worst part of EC but they kept my white blood cell count high, so did their job. 

Paclitaxel was a weekly treadmill of not feeling quite right, with 2 trips per week to the hospital, 1 for bloods and 1 for treatment. Watch out for signs of peripheral neuropathy in your hands and feet as it can become permanent if it develops too far. 

Thank you - I’m worried about that neuropathy as I already have it in my left foot from a surgical error back in 2018. Interesting that you didn't need the Filgrastim for the paclitaxel .

After one of your posts I did enquire today as to why I hadn’t been offered immunotherapy as standard for early breast cancer now that it has been approved. The consultant didn’t know but rang me back later to tell me I wasn't eligible as the lump was under 2cm’s on baseline. It was interesting he didn’t  know but went to find out. I realised how important it is to keep asking questions!

Yes - the approval is over 2ams or lymph node involvement. I hope I am an exception having a secondary from a tumour that wouldn’t have qualified. I qualify now as metastatic. Hmmm. 

Hi Jan 

My wife blood count was low pre one chemo session fools up call. However, by the repeat bloods the day before the treatment was up to the required level.

I also had the injections and felt achy afterwards, although difficult to know if side effects are due to the injection or chemo drugs. They are temporary though and painkillers and wgentle exercise help.

Good luck with your treatment, hope all goes well for you. 

Thankyou - yes Im hoping the count will increase by thursday as just want to crack on! I already had a delay last cycle as my liver levels were out but they are fine this time. Im not keen for the injection - but then not keen for delays or infections either!! So much juggling. It seems like you have or had quite a bit of juggling in your house with you and your wife - that must be hard. Hope you both doing ok now.

Jan

Hi JPH, when I was on EC I had Pegfiligrastim so just one injection the day after my chemo. This was enough to boost my cells. I had no side effects. Im now on docetaxel and have 5 days of filigrastim with no side effects of aches or pains. Info feel a bit nauseous but that could be the treatment as opposed to the filigrastim.

I think I would rather have the injections and the possibility of a bit of bone pain ( of which I understand paracetamol helps) than to have low bloods and have neutropenia. everyone is different and needs to do what they feel is right for them.

Wishing you the best for your journey.

Hugs from cuffcake x x x x x

I had to do it each cycle of EC - my bones did ache a bit but nothing terrible - I did it last thing before bed and took paracetamol before I went to bed and tried to sleep it off.  It’s all very simple but really important to take it out of the fridge to come up to room temperature or it will be unpleasant.  Hope it goes well.  My levels plummeted on Paclitaxel but managed to right themselves at the last minute - hopefully you’ll be good to go without extra treatment but try not to worry about it - take care. 

Thank you - always so much to consider isnt there?

Thanks - very helpful. Have had a few injuries and surgeries over the past few years unfortunately which has meant bone pain - plus the menopause. Just feel like I could so do without it on top of erything else but might not have much choice is what I’m thinking as I don't want infections either

Yes and it’s lovely to get advice from others on here to help that have gone through similar experiences. I’d be lost without being able to come and read other’s experiences and questions and answers.