[Aussie Girl]

Hi Lovemyboys3,

Many people feel like they have the flu and have muscle aches - all of the drugs can contribute and the white cell stimulants like neulasta or neupogen can contribute. However, I would strongly recommend having the long acting Neulasta on the second day of each cycle. If greatly reduces the chances of having to be admitted to hospital again for fever. You will still get low white cells, sometime between day 7 and day 10 probably, but they won't go as low and with return much quicker with Neulasta.

Muscle aches can usually be controlled by taking long acting Paracetomol (aminoacetophen) eg. Panadol Osteo which covers 8 hours instead of 6. Usual dose is 2 tabs 6 to 8 hourly , no more than 6 per day. Regular paracetamol is more effective than an occasional dose. Please discuss pain relief with your oncologist because everyone's experience of pain is different and your oncologist is a specialist in pain relief (and nausea relief). The tiredness and aches can vary from cycle to cycle.

Nurofen and aspirin relieve the pain but are not recommended because they reduce platelet function and your platelets (clotting cells) reach a low at about 2 1/2 weeks after dose. This is rarely significant, as the platelets still work, unless you've taken a drug that reduces their function. Your platelets have to get back to over 100 before you can have your next dose or the dose will need delaying a few days.

Warm baths or showers and regular low impact exercise can reduce the aches. See what works for you.

Good luck

Aussie Girl