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Zoffiel's avatar
Zoffiel
Member
9 years ago

Peg Pain

Has anyone tried Claratin (loratadine) to deal with the bone pain associated with the colony booster shot Pegfilgrastim? I'm coming up for my second round of chemo and the first was a bloody nightmare, mainly due to the pain associated with this drug.

10 years ago when I was having cancer episode # 1 I had to have the booster for my last two rounds, I wasn't warned about the side effects--my oncologist then was an arse who simply couldn't be bothered telling me. Oncologist #2 wants me to have the booster for each treatment this time because of my previous history. Honestly, it's almost enough to make me run away and let nature take its course.

Endone sort of helps (nothing else I've tried does) and in desperation I've been looking for information about what else may do the trick. I've read that claratin may be the answer--my oncologist is fine with me trying it and is apologetic for not suggesting it earlier even though he was willing to write up a variety of pain meds to help me cope. It would be great to know if it has worked for someone else. Any small glimmer of hope would be a grand thing.

9 Replies

  • KatyJoy's avatar
    KatyJoy
    Member
    9 years ago
    So good to hear you've had such an improvement @Zoffiel
  • Zoffiel's avatar
    Zoffiel
    Member
    9 years ago
    Well, there  you go. Round two of doxytaxel followed by Neulasta completed with a minimum of fuss. I took the Claratin, Targin and 4mg Dex for an extra 4 days. 
    The pain has been tolerable and I haven't had the headache or stomach cramps I had last round. Can't believe how much easier it has been.
    I also remembered a trick from ten years ago that helps me with the cranky belly. Boiled potatoes. Ive got a container in the fridge with some salad sized bits of yummy Dutch Creams and I have a piece whenever I take a tablet but can be taken with food. Also a tiny piece with a cup of tea or a drink seems to have a calming effect on my squirming insides. Must be the starch or something.
    Life goes on.
  • socoda's avatar
    socoda
    Member
    9 years ago
    Zoffiel, I had also heard of Claratin for bone pain after neulasta injections - read about it on a UK Cancer website (I think). Haven't had any personal experience but  certainly could be worth a try.  :) Good luck with it - fingers crossed. Xx Cath
  • DiBee's avatar
    DiBee
    Member
    9 years ago
    For me, Mobic worked best for the bone pain from the booster injections during AC and now, even though it feels like the same kind of pain, the Naproxen works better during Taxol. I agree, Endone and panadeine forte don't touch it. Keep chatting with your doctor, they have a few things up their sleeve and everyone is different.
    Good luck sorting this xx Di
  • Nadi's avatar
    Nadi
    Member
    9 years ago
    I was admitted to hospital with severe bone pain from the neulasta. Strangely enough the drug that took away my pain was period pain tablets from over the counter at the chemist. I think the active ingredient is naproxen. Before that I was on panadeine forte then endone which did nothing. My onc said he had another women who got the same result. Naproxen is an anti inflammatory. Good luck with it!
  • KatyJoy's avatar
    KatyJoy
    Member
    9 years ago
    I haven't heard of this for neulasta( I think that's the same), but interestingly I was put on loratadine after having hives during my first chemo (fec) and subsequently developing a rash a few days after this. My onc said it would be good to take loratadine for the duration of my chemo (6cycles) I was put on Neulasta for my second chemo after being found to be very neutropaenic after my first cycle. Therefore, when I have had Neulasta, I have always been on regular loratadine, and have only experienced very mild bone pain, not requiring pain relief. I hope it helps you, good luck!