Getting info for a friend

Sandy H · 04-14-2007, 02:44 PM

Has anyone had back pain or backaches with navelbine? Had a friend call and ask me this week. She has been checked for mets so that doesn't appear to be the problem. She is wondering if maybe, its arthritis which she didn't think she had. She is having lots of back pain. I told her I would post the question and see if anyone has had this problem. hugs, Sandy

Andi · 04-14-2007, 03:46 PM

Sandy - I had some back pains when I began Navelbine, but I'm not sure if it was a carryover from my surgery. Later I seemed to have it for about 24 hours after my infusions, now I don't seem to have it at all. I mentioned it to my oncologist, but since it seemed to go away, he didn't seem too concerned about it.

pattyz · 04-15-2007, 06:37 AM

Sandy,
There have been talks of the pain caused by Navelbine... don't know if your friend would have the same kind, tho'... for lack of details

)

My pain was temporary but sharp hit and miss all over trunk area. We've called them 'ping-pong pain' for the way it jumps around. This was during the first two rounds. And really bad (but shortlived) jaw pain.

Also, severe pain in upper arm area that was tested by scans etc etc with no decernable reason forthcoming. It eased over time.

IF no other reason for her pain can be found, then I think she can blame the Navelbine... and maybe it will be less and less as time goes by. That helped with all my fears about the 'cause' of the pain, the lessening over time.

hugs,
pattyz

MGordon · 04-15-2007, 10:42 PM

Is she taking Neulasta to keep her WBC up? If so, one of the common side effects of Neulasta is spinal pain...

Love and Light
Mel

Sandy H · 04-16-2007, 08:29 AM

Thanks, I am sure she will be happy to hear this. Mel, I think she is taking them because she has had to skip treatment last week her counts were too low. I didn' think about that one. Once again you were there to help, as I told her you would be. She just laughed because she does not have a computer and so doesn't get it how much we depend on each other here! hugs, Sandy

StephN · 04-16-2007, 11:17 AM

Hi Sandy The Good Samaratin -

I am glad Mel brought that up about the white count booster causing pain.

In my case I had sever pain in my hips, pelvic area and lower back for about 2 weeks, then it eased up. A heating pad helped as well as Aleve. The drug is forcing the bone marrow to 'cough up' new white blood cells - and we need a LOT of them. There is a fine line of too much or too little of Neulasta. Which is why the blood work should always include the Neutraphil count.

Sandy H · 04-18-2007, 07:10 AM

I asked her and she said she is not receiving any shots for her blood counts. When they are too low she skips the treatment! Surprised me. Thanks for all your help. hugs, Sandy

Andi · 04-18-2007, 08:11 AM

That's the way it was for me, if my white counts got too low, they either reduced the dose of navelbine or if they dropped below 1000, they suspended this until they came back up, which in my case was just one week. I was told they don't give the white count boosters when you are taking weekly infusions.