After my first Chemotherapy and then 1 day later, injection of Filgrastim in my glute, 3 days later I woke with lower back pain that did not go away. By early evening, I was hardly able to walk, and then by late evening, I was screaming out in pain upon every step. I fell to the ground with excruciating pain in my lower back and hips. I could not move or stop screaming in pain, panting to catch my breath as my heart raced. This attack lasted 3 hours. I was able to crawl to get ibuprofen after the 1st hour. I woke up the next day only a tiny bit sore, scared out of my mind it would happen again. It did not. I just took my 2nd injection after the 2nd chemotherapy infusion. I had assumed that the pain was part of the side effects of chemotherapy. I don’t have any signs in my CT scan or PET scan of metastases to my bones. But I recently read that this lower back pain could be a side effect of the Filgrastim. I’m extremely stressed and frightened that this will happen again on the 5th day. Did anyone else have this reaction? Is it from chemo or from Filgrastim? Thank you!
Hi gypsygirl
Thanks for posting.
It sounds as though you are having a difficult time at the moment during your chemotherapy treatment. It’s understandable that you are feeling stressed and frightened about the thought of the severe back pain you’ve experienced returning now you’ve had your next dose of Filigrastim (G-CSF).
Chemotherapy can reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood which help fight infection. The number of white blood cells usually goes back up between chemotherapy cycles, but some people are given Filigrastim (G-CSF) to help increase the level of white blood cells between treatments. A common side effect of this treatment is bone pain which may affect the back or sometimes the pelvis, arms or legs. This is due to the drug causing the bone marrow to make extra blood cells.
The side effects you have had however sound severe and have caused you distress. It’s important to let your treatment team know how you are feeling and how much pain you have experienced so they can assess you properly. They will be able to offer advice on your symptoms and what might help manage them.
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