Pegfilgrastim and Pain: What Users Say

• Nan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 24, 2019

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Second round of chemo, combo of Taxol/Cisplatin/Avastin, and Dr. gave Neulasta Onpro to keep WBC up. On day 5, had left femur pain. Day 6 started horrible upper sternum, lower back, pelvis pain. The pain is constant unless I’m walking around. I can’t lay, sleep, or get any relief with the use of Claritin, ibuprofen, Tylenol, warm bath, or cold compress. Pain is a 7-8 that pushes 9 when I try to lay down. I will never take this drug ever again. This is worse than the chemo with absolutely no relief. Just hoping the pain doesn’t last for days."

• mea...
• November 28, 2019

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "The doctor prescribed this Neulasta after chemo. Had 2 lots so far, and I will never take it again! Both times were bad, but the second time was worse. The glands on the sides of my neck hurt so bad and swelled. My ears hurt, and my jaw hurt. Low-grade fever for 2 days. The second dose was the same, with swollen neck glands, low-grade fever 100.5, and ear pain. Declining this med next week."

• Fly...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2019

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I didn’t expect the pain to be so bad. My jaw, teeth, arms, legs, and stomach were all hurting. Felt like labor pains! I’ve had four children and wasn’t as uncomfortable as this! I’m not sure I want to go through this again in a few weeks."

• mpl...
• August 14, 2016

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I learned from another patient to take Claritin a few days after the shot and keep taking it for 5 days. It really worked. The first time, the pain was so bad, it felt like 3-4 days of labor pains. When I used the Claritin, I only felt little twinges and a few cramps."

• Eve...
• February 24, 2017

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I have to rate this so low because of the side effects. I cannot even put into words how excruciating and debilitating the pain was. 72 hours an eternity. An experience that would stop me from taking chemo, but the doctor said he will not give it again. Hope this reaction does not happen to anyone else."

• Ore...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2020

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "DO NOT TAKE THIS DRUG Neulasta. My husband has colon cancer. His neutrophils were extremely low. He was given the On Body Injector 7/1/20 - severe left shoulder pain within 1 hour. Took Claritin as directed. Went to the ER 7/4/20 and was told he had a torn rotator cuff. NO help. Saw the primary doctor 7/6/20 and was given shots. After a week, shoulder pain got a little better. 7/16/20 second dose Neulasta On Body Injector. Went to the primary two times. Cancer doctor ordered MRI. Took from 7/1/2020 until 7/29/20 to get MRI. Saw orthopedic 08/3/20, no torn rotator cuff tear. Some arthritis, tendonitis in shoulder, neck has some spurs, arthritis, pinched nerve. My husband is 71 years old. Worked full time with his own Pest Control business, lifted weights, stretching, used bands for strengthening, rode bike. No pain until Neulasta injections. As of 8/6/2020, cannot use left shoulder, he has extreme pain, nothing touches the pain. Doctors should tell patients this drug can cause disability."

• Ken...
• August 26, 2015

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I am not sure if Neulasta is working yet. I have only had it once so far. Pain on days 2 and 3 was terrible. My jaw even hurt. I did take Tylenol and Aleve, but the pain was untouchable. I will not take it again unless my MD gives me something stronger for the pain."

• SPS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 7, 2019

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I was doing great until day 3. I started feeling a few pains. By day 7, I was crying and headed to the ER. I felt like I was in labor. First it was my stomach. My back was the worst. I was in extreme pain."

• Ann...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2015

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I was given Neulasta after my chemo treatments as well. I was expecting the worst because that is what you hear from others. I received 16 treatments of chemo and 16 of Neulasta, and I can truly say that I was blessed with everything. I do recall having a little pain in my legs one day, but it lasted for approximately two hours on and off. My count remained where it needed to be, never went down."

• Bre...
• August 5, 2022

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Horrible, nasty Neulasta! Big money maker for pharma. I think the cost of the shot was $17,000! No wonder health insurance is through the roof. I had been through 8 rounds of chemo about 14 years before Neulasta was around and was fine. About 3 years ago, the breast cancer came back and my oncologist recommended it as a prevention for low WBC. Worst leg pain ever! It took about 3 months for the pain to go away. It hurt to walk. I told my oncologist I would never, never take that nasty drug again!"

• Win...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2020

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I started Neulasta (single injection) following my 5th chemo infusion because my WBC and absolute neutrophil count were too low, causing my infusions to be delayed by 2-3 weeks. I started loratadine the day before the shot and never experienced any pain, just a strange feeling of my bones pulsing. However, this product never did a thing for my WBC or absolute neutrophil count. My final infusion was again delayed by a couple of weeks. I am giving this drug a 2 rating only because I did not have the pain that so many others experienced."

• Jos...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2020

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "My mom has stage 4 extensive small cell lung cancer and is receiving chemo and immunotherapy. Her WBC and neutrophils were incredibly unstable throughout all of cycle one and resulted in a week-long ICU stay when combined with drastically low sodium. For cycles 2-4, she had the Onpro Neulasta injector- which you want to make sure you’re at home for. Two of the four cycles, we had more appointments and labs the next day, and hearing that thing beep and infuse in the car or waiting room is rather anxiety-inducing. My mother doesn’t complain too much about the pain- it’s generally for a day or so, and her medical marijuana helps take the edge off. Weekly blood tests for the second and third cycles confirmed it steadied her blood counts through the varying nadirs of her chemo cocktail (carboplatin and etoposide) and helped keep thrush at bay. Overall, she’s happy with it. Sorry it seems to go so badly for so many..."

• Pit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2016

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I have an injection the day after Taxotere chemo for breast cancer. The aches kick in the day after and two days later are very uncomfortable, mostly in my bones down from the waist. I take 4 x 200 mg of Ibuprofen with my morning cuppa and that takes about an hour to take effect and will last me until about tea time. Then I take a couple of paracetamol before bed. When it starts to get better after about 5 days, I just take a co-codamol tablet before bed and then I sleep. My doc has approved this regime. I even resorted to drinking wine one night and yes, it dulls the pain, but I felt rubbish the next day. I experimented to see what worked for me. My blood count is excellent, so it all seems worth it."

• Ute...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2022

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "My first experience with Neulasta was a nightmare. It was worse than chemo, where I almost died because I was allergic to the medications. After Neulasta was applied, I felt as though someone had a remote control and was playing a game where they were zapping various parts of the inside of my body all throughout the night. It was extremely painful. What made it painful was each zap was like an ambushed surprise. The next morning, I was worn out, sore, swollen, and my skin was extremely tender to touch. I did not enjoy this experience at all. On top of just the Neulasta, the chemo gave me mouth sores and made my hair fall out, along with blood clots. I was a mess. Neulasta does not get high marks from me."

• Reb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Ugh, this pegfilgrastim medication needs a dose reduction alternative! I’ve had two of these shots, and both times, about two days after, I’m in such pain. I feel like I’m having a heart attack, but throughout my entire body! It did what it was supposed to, my white blood counts shot way up-way higher than even when I was healthy-which makes me wonder: why can’t I get a smaller dose? Maybe then I wouldn’t have so much pain. It’s midnight right now, and I can’t sleep because my hips and chest are feeling it. It’s a pain that’s hard to describe. Kind of an electric pain, but it throbs, sometimes it’s stronger, like a surge. It sucks. I guess it works, but who knows if I’d be better off without it? This goes on for about 2 1/2 days."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2022

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I take Claritin every day. I still had excruciating aches and pains. Seven days later, I can finally walk upright. My oncologist will have to find something else. My WBC was 26, so Neulasta does work, but I can’t use it."

• Ros...
• August 10, 2021

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Burning abdominal regions, hard stone-like ovals on both sides, flank and torso area. Burning starts from the top center of the stomach and goes out to both torso sides. The whole abdominal area gets hard like when I had contractions during delivery. Pressure is awful. I feel like exploding, perhaps it is my spleen. I have elbow and knee pain, plus neuropathy. Overall feeling awful after my third chemo."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2025

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Awful experience with this drug. Two days after the administration of this drug, I woke up in excruciating pain all over my body. I walked the floor with pain for two days and no sleep. My heart rate increased to a constant high rate of 123 and above. Plus, I got red spots on my body, and my white count went up to 34,000. I landed up at the ER. The doctor was concerned about blood clots because the count was so high. Stayed in the hospital for three days. Twelve days later, I still have a high heart rate. Also had a bloody nose all week. This was my first injection out of four. I'm having a serious talk with my oncologist before my next chemo to discuss. I really don't think I should be taking this. Sure, it raised my white count through the roof, but serious side effects."

• RNw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2020

Pegfilgrastim for Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Neulasta can cause a lot of pain. You must take Claritin or loratadine 1 day before chemo, the day of chemo, the day after chemo... I take the 24-hour version. It is a big help."