several ? port,period and neulasta

KRISS · 01-18-2007, 05:45 AM

Hi ladies
I have several questions I would like some info on as this is all still so very new. I had my port placed on the 10th. For the most part it is pain free just very tender especially when I try to sleep on my stomach. Will this go away or will it always be tender to some extent?
I also started my AC on the 10th and had a pretty uneventful week. Tahnks be to God. Mostly tired and a little nausea. Thanks for drugs as well. I got the neulasta shot the day after and was warned about the bone pain as well as what I have read here. I have had no side effects what so ever. I am not trying to borrow bad things but is it accumulative like chemo or if no pain the first time I'm good to go?
And finally my period. I'm 42 and I know that chemo will most likely force menapause on me but how long does that usually take? And did it make anyones period more painful? I'm 5 days away and am already starting to have worse cramps than before. Any info, insight or experiences on any of these questions would be greatly appreciated. I have already learned so much from you all. Thanks in advance. Have a peaceful day Kriss

Becky · 01-18-2007, 07:49 AM

Hi Kriss

I didn't have a port or neulasta but I was premenopausal at that time.

My cramps were much worse for the 2 periods I had before they stopped (I resumed menstration 7 months after chemo was over but had my ovaries removed shortly after that).

The cramps were very bad for me. I hope they aren't too much for you.

SusanV · 01-18-2007, 08:16 AM

Kriss,

I also had a port put in for chemo, and I can tell you that the discomfort you are feeling will go away. I sleep on my stomach and really forget completely that it is there for the most part. I will tell you that when it is accessed (for your chemo) the next day it will be a little tender to touch..nothing too crazy though.

I too had the worst cramps after my first chemo...I actually likened it to labor pain (ovaries and lower back) My onc's offices nurses gave me the brush off about it, but thankfully Becky posted and shared her experience with me, which made me feel soo much better that I wasn't crazy.

Regarding periods...I began chemo in November...I had two periods two weeks apart in November, and have not had one since. The doctor's say that it will probably return due to my age (38), but they are not sure. In the meantime I have some pretty significant hot flashes that keep me up at night. Menopausal symptoms caused by the Tamoxofin.

I didn't do the neulasta shots, so I am sorry I can't speak to that. Hang in there....sounds like you are doing great.

Warm thoughts your way

suzan w · 01-18-2007, 12:04 PM

I didn't have a port. Did get the neulasta shot with each chemo and noticed severe bone pain the next day!!!

tricia keegan · 01-18-2007, 01:45 PM

Hi Kriss

I had no problem sleeping on my stomach with the port and I'm sure your's will settle down too.
I also had absolutly no pain from the neulasta although I had heard the bone pain can be bad for some, I had four in total and no bone pain with any of them.
I only had one period a week before I began chemo and nothing after that so can't help you there.
My period did'nt return so six months after chemo I had my ovaries removed.
Good luck with the rest of your treatments!
Tricia

sassy · 01-18-2007, 07:20 PM

Kriss,

After having the port in for a week or so, you probably won't even notice it anymore. Mine has been in for two years and I never think about it, except when it is being accessed. I did have Neulasta and had bone pain after each shot, so my guess is, if the first shot didn't bother you, you may not experience any side effects. I had one small period after first chemo--then no more. I have been on Lupron to keep me post-meno. Have just had to switch from 3 month shot to monthly because my estrodial level started to rise.

Up until this point my surgeon has not wanted me to have surgery to remove ovaries due to some other problems I have had. Those have all resolved now, so he gave me the green light for surgery if needed. I talked to my onc about it two weeks ago, and he prefers that I stay on Lupron if it continues to work. He got some information at San Antonio the Lupron may be more beneficial to HER2's than previously known. In studies now.

Good luck to you.
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DonnaD · 01-19-2007, 11:55 AM

Hi Kriss,
I to had to have the nuelasta shot. I will continue to have it until chemo is done. I have had three shots and have experienced no bone pain. Good luck to you and God Bless!

Jean · 01-19-2007, 01:34 PM

Hi Kriss,

I had the neulasta shots - the first one gave me very mild bone ache
the following day. Thereafter it was even less, the shots were not a
problem at all. I wish the same for you. The very best of luck during your
treatment. Keep us posted on your progress.

All good wishes,
Jean

kimber · 01-20-2007, 05:54 AM

Hi Kriss -

I did not have a port. I had and still do have great veins. As for the Nuelasta, I had horrible bone pain from it. I had the shot the day after (Friday) and by early Saturday morning thru Sunday nite, I ached so bad it came close to being unbearable. I was 42 years old and very athletic. I had my Chemo friends who never got any pain. You may be one of those lucky ones.
As for the period, I never again had one after my first AC treatment. I am now a year out of chemo and have made the full "change". The hormone testing shows that I am done with that part of my life.

At least I am alive and feeling GREAT!!!! As you will too! God bless Kriss! -kim

Bev · 01-20-2007, 10:02 PM

Hi Kriss, I'm a stomach sleeper and after a couple of months the port doesn't present a problem.

Neulasta kicked my butt about 5 days after having it, so maybe you don't have that side effect. We don't have all of them fortunately.

At 46, AC knocked out my period. Thank you God.

I don't know if they were just trying to be encouraging, but the onc nurses said if you can get thru the first treatments with few problems, you were likely to be able to do all of them, various drugs, with few problems. BB

Mary Jo · 01-21-2007, 10:49 AM

Hello,

I, like you, handled A/C pretty well. A few fatiqued days - appetite wasn't the greatest BUT over all handled it well. I worked pretty much through out it (I work part-time - 20 hours per week) and was able to work MOST days. I had chemo every other Wednesday so would take off the Thurs., Fri and sometimes the Monday after but then worked right up until the next one. I will admit though, I wasn't sad to see A/C end as I thought Taxol was much easier. Although I did have body pain with the Taxol.

I had a hysterectomy at age 39 - ovaries left intact so a period wasn't an issue. However, I do remember the WICKED hot flashes that I experienced. Man, they were bad. But, again, a small price to pay. Honestly, I thought the hot flahses were worse than many of the symptoms I experienced on chemo.

I did not have a port. I received all chemo's, herceptins and blood draws in my left arm only. Right arm couldn't be used because that was my breast cancer side and I had 2 lymph nodes removed. Thankfully, my arm held out throughout. Rarely any trouble finding a vein.

And finally, yes to the Neulasta. I received that the day after a chemo treatment. I did experience bone pain the day after the shot. Usually my shoulders and upper back felt the worse. However, once again, a small price to pay for being healthy throughout chemo. My blood work was always "perfect" according to my onc.

Good luck to you.

Mary Jo