Hello Seancookie,

I hope you will hear from others here who have had Filgrastim injections. I had a little look for you and found that another of our members [@EmilyS]‍ posted on this thread and mentioned that she also had to do Filgrastim injections so I hope she will come and share her experience with you.

It might also be worth mentioning the pain you are experiencing with them to your medical team so that they can hopefully have some suggestions for you. Our nurses are also available on this free number 0808 800 4040 if you live in the UK and want to talk things through with them.

Best wishes,

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi all

I had no idea of the pain from these injections. I have not slept for 4 nights and just  walk around crying. I finish my last injection tonight and pray it starts to lessen. Even my teeth hurt. I understand these are very necessary but the thought of going through this again after my next round of chemotherapy.

The first round of chemo seems to have been OK,  but this pain is on another level. 

Can anything help as so far, paracetamol or ibuprofen don't touch it.

Many thanks for allowing me to join this forum and off load.

Hi it's been a few years since my chemo and taking those injections and I still remember the pain I experienced and still up there with the worst I've had. unfortunalty at the time I didn't know that antihistamines could help with it the pain and just taking some painkillers which I know do nothing but all I done was basically endure it for the few days I had it. Not much help sorry but taking a hot bath eases the pain whilst in it but when I came out the pain quickly returned. Hopefully it doesn't last too long. 

Hello

Im so sorry to hear you are going through this pain.  I am too hence up at 0430

Im on my second round of filgrastim injections after my second round of chemo.  The only thing I've found that mildly helps is co codomol and ibuprofen.  I also have a hot water bottle on my lower back as that and my legs are where the pain seems the worse.

it only lasted a few days after my 5th injection last time so I hope it's the same again.  I really hope your pain doesn't last too long either.

Thank you so much for bothering to reply.  I had my second cycle on Friday so am starting the injections tonight.  The Dr. told me that co-codomol will work but nothing, but nothing helped last time and can only hope that your body builds up some kind of defence to it.

Dreading it but if it save your life - I guess I'll just have to get on with it.

All best wishes to everyone and thank you again for knowing people are there.

Hi I've been injecting zarzio since tuesday last one tonight, until next session of chemo .

Been ok ish just the odd ache in groin bit in lower back and some aching in legs but not severe. 

My problem is my mouth sores, sore throat , gums and taste , whether it's the docetaxel , the target drugs or this injection I dont know but very very sore , along with burning down below . Other symptoms are pins needles in lips feet i have to eat really slow as afraid of biting my tongue .

I hope you all feel better quickly , not a easy slog but will get there xxx

Oh, I'm so sorry that you are going through this and I know exactly how you are feeling as I am too!

Had my 4th round of chemo and just started the docetaxel also.

I have developed thrush EVERYWHERE.  My mouth has been the worse.

I ended up going to doctors where I got creams and a mouth suspension which has already helped with the ulcers and thrush just after 4 applications.  
I believe there is a tablet that they can give if you have thrush everywhere but my doctor was hesitant due to the chemo.

Get in touch with your GP as soon as you can and see what they can do.

I really hope you get it sorted and you're right, it sure is a tough slog but stay strong and we will get through it xx

Hi yes my mouth was full of thrush most awful feeling and my throat was so sore I could hardly open it . After suffering for days I made up a salt water mouthwash the next morning the furred tongue had disappeared. Mouth not as bad now ,whether it was the mouthwash or a combination of the drugs leaving your body I don't know. Still have numb lips and tongue , and a very itchy bumpy neck which is very sore taking some Piriton for that although doesn't seem to be going away yet . Still got a little thrush and itching below but got some canestan for that . Always look forward to my good few days when I can eat and drink reasonably normally , by then it's almost time for next sessions lol , we will get there much love xxx

Hi. I'm going through this horrendous pain now. My chemo side effects have been okay ish.....definitely bearable, but just finished my 2nd lot if weekly filistagram injections and can't relax.....can't lie down, can't sit or stand....was advised to take clariton for few days before injections start ,and to load myself up on ibuprofen and painkillers on the day I started. Was fine for 6 days ......on both occasions the 7th has been agony. Tried hot bath which gave some relief whilst in it, but pain back within 2o mins. My only consolation is that the next 7 will be my last. 

I took my 4th daily injection today of filgastrim (first round of TC) and had been feeling ok but these pains have just woken me and made me feel panicked, as the pains seem to be around lower back, thighs and this general middle area though I am assuming this is what is going on but it's scary isn't it when your body experiences things never felt before - this is my case anyway. And feels like no matter how much I stretch my legs they ache. Well will take ibuprofen and hope for some relief soon xx 

Hi. You're describing my pains to aT. 

I actually ended up in hospital after my last injections as I was in so much pain. They literally fed me morphine for 4 days after which I was able to get up and walk around, and eventually get some sleep. I've been out a week , this is now 2 weeks after last injection and still got the pains although they are manageable now. I've 1 last set of 7 to go then hopefully I'll never have to see those bloody things ever again !!!. I'm really dreading the next lot.. Think the Clariton does help slightly but for me ibuprofen and paracetamol didn't touch the pain. I was on Oramorph and Morphine sulphate in hospital and was given some to bring home. Maybe ask your doc if they'll prescribe it ??. 

Only silver lining is that I've been told that the amount of pain actually shows they're working.......just doesn't feel like it at the time. 

Good luck going forward with your treatment

I'm so sorry to hear that, you must have been in agony and terrified. It's true - it must be working if it's this painful but it's so weird. I'm home with just ibuprofen and heat on the back, but it's coming and going. And doesnt sound as scary as yours, but who knows what the next days will bring. Glad yours are nearly over!!! Take care of yourself x

I'm so sorry to hear that, you must have been in agony and terrified. It's true - it must be working if it's this painful but it's so weird. I'm home with just ibuprofen and heat on the back, but it's coming and going. And doesnt sound as scary as yours, but who knows what the next days will bring. Glad yours are nearly over!!! Take care of yourself x

Hiya. Its definitely one of the worst, and most  unusual pains I've ever had. I'm saving my morphine for my next round of them.

Just have to keep thinking of the positive effects......its just hard when you're feeling so ill.  

Onwards and upwards.  You take care too.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it is invaluable for someone in my situation.

I am also having severe pains in my spine and lower back and trying to figure out if it has anything to do with filgristim.

Mine started gradually and increased during the course of my chemo in the last 2 months, but all of sudden after my 4th chemo cycle (not the filgrastim injections that usually start 4 days after each cycle and go for 3 days) I started to get a SHARP severe pain in my spine and lower back when I move (e.g. trying to get off the bed) so much so that had to be taken to the hospital with an ambulance for pain relief.

The pain really resembles a slipped disk in its sharpness and its movement-dependant nature, and this confuses me when I compare it to what I read here.
An MRI is booked in 3 weeks to hopefully clarify the cause, but till then I am trying to figure out if this is actually from filgrastim or not.

I'd love to know if anybody else has got sharp and movement-dependant pains from filgrastim?

 

Hi Basy

Did get resolution?  I have stumbled across this post as I have been woken by this pulsating pain in my lower back which is excruciating! Odd thing is I had my filgrastim injection a week ago!  It sounds very similar to the pain others have described and there's no let up!  Yesterday I experienced real clammy features and struggled to get myself under control, so much so I was on the verge of calling my chemo unit. But after sitting in the car with the air con on for 30mins it did the trick. Then about 6hrs later, bang out of the blue suddenly I had this pain in my back - paracetamol haven't done a thing and now it's 4am and the pulsating has woken me. Would love to know what it is as it's blimen scary!

Hi Kassi

For me the reason was eventually diagnosed as a fracture in L5 vertebrae due to lymphoma-caused esterioprosis (although I'm only 38, male).

If you have ever had a hint you might have weaker than normal bones you might want to take a deeper look into this.

I hope your problem is merely a side effect of the filgrastim!

All the best!

Basy