Neulasta and Bone Pain: What Users Say

• 123...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2017

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I received the Neulasta after my chemo on Thursday. It blinked away for 27 hours, sounded its 2-minute warning, and dispensed its medicine all as advertised. I took Claritin and experienced no bone pain. By Monday, I developed a fever, and by Wednesday, my white cell count hit ZERO. I think the Neulasta failed and am curious about other patients with NO white cell count improvements from Neulasta. Also, the commercials really bother me because all the actors have hair. By the time you're on 'strong chemo,' you have no hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes."

• Ale...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 30, 2017

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Worse experience in my life with any medication. My WBC counts were normal after 12 rounds of chemo, so it was unnecessary. I have never felt such excruciating bone pain for over 8 days. I was bedridden, unable to stand up or sit down. Lost a week's worth of work, which is devastating as an independent contractor. I never will take Neulasta again, no matter who recommends it. :("

• Ano...
• February 17, 2015

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I was recently diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. My treatment plan consists of 4 chemo treatments followed by 4 Neulasta shots. Well, initially I was told about the side effect (bone pain) but was not told that the pain could be reduced or even eliminated before it started just by taking 1 Claritin the day of and after the shot. You guys know that this shot stimulates the bone marrow (center of the bone) to produce the white blood cells, right? I experienced the most excruciating and crippling pain in my life from the first shot. To add, I also had a nosebleed. My experience with the second shot was much better. Take the Claritin if you can…"

• Jun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2018

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I have stage 2b lung cancer. I have had surgery but am receiving chemotherapy because it was also found in my lymph nodes. The first time my white cell numbers were down, I had to postpone chemo and get one shot of the generic Neulasta each day for 3 days. I have now had 1 dose of the OnPro Neulasta. The shots made my bones hurt much more than Neulasta, but no one told me about Claritin when I got the shots. I begin the Claritin 1 day before chemo, take it the day of, and 3 days after. I had no pain at all. I take the extended-release Claritin D every 24 hours. Hope this helps someone."

• Ber...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2015

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I am a 44-year-old female, and I had a total of 4 injections. Yes, it really works with keeping the white blood cell count up. Did an awesome job there! But I had such severe bone and joint pain. It was unreal, the pain. Always 2 days after getting the injection. And the pain would last longer with each new injection. But I got Percocet for pain. I would just take a pill then go to bed. I seriously hate how very bad the pain was! But even being around the little ones I babysit for, who seemed always sick, I never caught anything. But the pain is insane. Drink lots and lots and lots of water and fluids."

• Tjo...
• September 23, 2015

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "First chemo (cytoxin/taxotere) on Wednesday and Neulasta shot 24 hours after. Was very exhausted Friday midday and by nighttime all hell broke loose. The bone pain was excruciating and debilitating. Luckily, it was the weekend, but never left my bed, had to call out to work on Monday, and only could work half a day Tuesday. It's now one week later and the bone pain is still present in some areas, mainly my legs and feet, making it hard to walk. I do not meet Neulasta's website criteria for taking this drug. I am suggesting my oncologist find another way to help with my white blood cell counts. Seriously, will reconsider continuing chemo since at this stage it is only being given as an insurance policy since my double mastectomy removed the cancer."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2020

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I had my 2nd Neulasta a week ago today. The bone pain is horrible. I've been taking the Claritin/Advil that my nurse said would help with the pain. Here it is a week later and it's getting worse. Barely able to sleep. Laid on ice last night, which helped, but the minute I got off the ice, the pain returned. Luckily, I have only 1 more of 6 chemo treatments, so this should be the last time I get Neulasta. The pain is excruciating. Hope this stops soon."

• Rif...
• March 14, 2017

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Oncologist ordered my Neulasta injection the day following each chemo treatment for lymphoma. Two days after the first injection, I experienced debilitating bone pain in my femurs, hips, and pelvis. Could barely walk, and pelvis actually throbbed with deep bone ache! The pain lasted for three days, eventually subsiding on Day 3. Oncologist's nurse informed me of that specific Neulasta side effect and that she'd heard that if I took over-the-counter Claritin the day of chemo (no Benadryl) and for the following five days, it may reduce the bone pain. Tried the Claritin path and experienced no bone pain after Neulasta! My only complaint is that, in two out of six treatments, white cell count was not up enough for the next chemo, delaying me 4-5 days."

• Sky...
• December 15, 2016

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Hodgkin's lymphoma, had five Neulasta shots to date... each time it takes longer to kick in... Now at eight days after the shot for it to start working. I spend about 36 hours with terrible bone pain, fever the whole time, flu symptoms... each time, but I am always neutropenic at my nadir (7 days), and then when it kicks in, counts go way up. Take Claritin and Tylenol for pain/fever, but it is hard to feel like it is helping..."

• Sho...
• November 23, 2019

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Nine years ago, I was diagnosed with a very aggressive stage III breast cancer. Did strong chemo every two weeks and got a total of 8 shots of Neulasta, alternating arms. The Onpro was not available then. Reported terrible shoulder tip pain even after the first shot, and it got worse, but to stay on the chemo schedule, I toughed it out. Bone pain was excruciating. Two years ago, I started having shoulder issues after a rotator cuff tear. Lots of adhesive capsulitis, manipulated several times, and finally had a scapular tendon replacement done after 4 surgeries. Now, next month, after no injury, my other shoulder has a 75-80% tear from deterioration with adhesive capsulitis too. No family history of breast cancer or shoulder issues genetically. My question is, has there been any studies done on how this drug Neulasta (Pegfilgrastim) affects shoulder tendons? My orthopedic surgeon has a lot of breast cancer survivors with rotator cuff surgeries that have had this shot?"

• Sue...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2018

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "The Neulasta did exactly what it was supposed to do, however, the bone pain that I experienced for five days was almost a ten on the pain scale. I could only sleep an hour or so at a time. I took the recommended Claritin, dosages of ibuprofen, and hydrocodone. I started taking recommended doses of painkillers the night before the Neulasta. Nothing could touch my pain. My second dose was worse than the first. While my counts have never been low, it is with great anxiety that I gave my third experience this week with Neulasta."

• SSa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2020

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Receiving Neulasta Onpro after chemo for stage 2 TNBC. I've had 3 cycles with it, and taking the Claritin definitely helps (in my case) ease the bone pain a bit. I haven't had it nearly as severely as some of the other reviewers, but it is unpleasant, nonetheless. More importantly, the reason for my low review is that my white cell counts are still very low, and my ANC is near zero - critically low - I don't think it's really doing its job. Plan to discuss the possibility of discontinuing with my oncologist."

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 3, 2019

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I have diffuse large cell B lymphoma and have experienced so far that Neulasta Onpro does work to raise your WBC, that's for sure. The big negative that I experienced is the terrible bone pain that occurs several days after the drug is administered, like someone is tapping on your hip and thigh bones, and lower spine with a hammer. Pretty bad pain. The first time, the pain was really bad for 12 hours, couldn't sleep, was in bed flat and couldn't move the affected areas at all, was in so much pain, just as I lay there, it was the worst pain I have ever felt. I am on the second use now, 4 days after it took effect as I write this, and the pain is in the same spots and it's pretty bad, but not unbearable at this point like the last time. Hope it doesn't get worse as the night goes on."

• Tit...
• October 22, 2015

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I had Neulasta 24 hrs after R-CHOP chemo for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Some bone pain occurred. Most discomfort in jaw and glands along both sides of throat. Even ear drums ached. Nothing so bad I could not tolerate it. Lasted only about 48 hrs at most. Annoying but worth the better blood counts."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2021

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I had my first chemo on 9/17/21. Went to the office on 9/20/21 for my Neulasta injection. The pain didn’t really start until about 2 days after the injection, but day 3 landed me in the ER. It felt like tiny ninjas were inside of me breaking my bones apart with a jackhammer. Every bone. Legs, hips, ribs, sternum, arms… I’ve had 4 kids and used no pain meds during labor. I would have all 4 back to back rather than feel this pain. My WBC was 0.0. That’s right, ZERO. So not only am I suffering this pain, but I’m at extreme risk for infection. Suffering the horrible side effects of chemo, acid diarrhea, which led to colitis, plus this bone pain almost made me want to give up on chemo altogether. I did take Claritin, ibuprofen, Tylenol, and the doctor had me take steroids. The steroids were the only thing that even touched the pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2016

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Pain level (1-10) Used after NHL follicular, stage 3A Rituximab other treatment (2 day sessions) Completed 1 of 6 treatments. Day 1: Auto Body Injector set catheter (1), injection started 27 hours later for 45 min (0). Removed ABI module 15 min after 'EMPTY' (6). Waves of bone pain the following day from hips and sternum (5). These hit for 2-5 seconds every 2 to 10 minutes. Next day same as previous but pain level down to (2). Next day minor annoyance, fully functional pain level from same places (1). Also on this day I felt the need to eat normally again."

• Net...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2022

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "My first round of IV chemotherapy with Obinutuzumab went surprisingly smoothly. No issues. Had the single injection given by an RN of Neulasta on day five. Was told about the bone pain, etc. But in no way at all was I prepared for the severity, it was off the 10 on a pain scale. My body from hips to base of skull was excruciating. It came in waves, I can only compare it to labor pain where my whole body tightens up almost spasm-like. I called the after-hours doctor's line. Told to take Claritin, and the doctor phoned in an RX for oxycodone for two days. Picking up the oxycodone at the pharmacy, I was crying. I have never done that in my life over pain. This pain literally kicked me hard. All my searches say bone pain with Neulasta. But nowhere did it say what the severity could be. Was nowhere near prepared for this. Hopefully, I will be prepared for the next round and see if pre-taking Claritin will help."

• TLa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2020

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Stage 2 breast cancer. Have gone through 2 rounds of chemo with Neulasta. First round, I experienced awful bone pain in femur, pelvis, and upper back for several days. Could not sleep, and Tylenol barely touched it. Second round, bone pain was intense in upper back but only lasted an hour. It was a long, painful hour, but it subsided after about 60-70 minutes. Again, Tylenol and Claritin didn't seem to give much relief. On third round, much less pain this time around. Only slight discomfort, but I am able to sleep and operate during the day as normal. The Neulasta is working for my WBC, and I will stick with it since I am more afraid of an infection and hospitalization than the pain. The pain is bad, but infection is a far worse prospect."

• Lun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2024

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I was diagnosed with stage 1b lung cancer and had a left lower lobe removed in May 2024. Chemo was prescribed, and I started a Cisplatin/Pemetrexed regimen. However, the Cisplatin was too toxic for my kidneys and was changed to Carboplatin/Pemetrexed. There’s always something with chemo, and my WBC dropped due to the Carbo, so the doctor started me on Neulasta…and I am very happy he did. WBC went back up, and my kidneys have recovered. I had my last chemo session (4 doses, 3 weeks apart) and am, as this is being written, about to have my last dose of Neulasta. I had the cartridge injector type, and all were taped to my stomach. I’m sorry that so many had a bad experience, but so far, mine has been great. No bone pain, no nausea, no hair loss, although at 74 most of it’s gone anyway, and my WBC is good. Personally, I highly recommend Neulasta, but understand why others wouldn’t."

• Lin...
• September 15, 2019

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I've had 6 doses of Neulasta and have not had any side effects at all. I would recommend placing it on your stomach, as I first had one on my upper arm and almost ripped it off getting dressed because I forgot it was there! I take 1 Claritin a night, which keeps the bone pain away. Mine was a very positive experience, and I would do it again."

• Hod...
• August 12, 2021

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "I've been getting the Neulasta OBI after chemo for Hodgkin's lymphoma for 9 treatments now (1 every two weeks). I find the side effects to be very tolerable - a little bone pain in my shoulder/clavicle area and some upper arm muscular discomfort between the shoulder and elbow. It's never been severe enough to consider taking anything, does not affect my sleep, and usually lasts 2 to 3 days. Very minor compared to what others are reporting."

• Jda...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For Neutropenia Associated with Chemotherapy "Oh man, the pain. The all-over bone pain, the chest pain, the bloody nose, but mostly the pain. I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. Make it stop!"