Look at you fighting this thing head on. I am so proud of you!
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Thank you so much xx
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@stafford22 that sounds like a huge step and one that you have taken control of. Amazing! I am currently in 2 minds about doing the same. Not sure im quite there yetā¦
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Youāre doing the right thing and listening to your body. Also mention it to your oncologist as I expect theyāll give you a reduced dose for your next cycles x
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I never ever thought Iād do it but the last two weeks with hair shedding getting more and more. Today I had to do it as a big bald patch appeared after cold capping. I feel so much better for it and now my wig will nice to wear x
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Well done @stafford22 
It definitely feels better when you finally shave it, so much more control!
I was prescribed to do filgrastim injections after all, got them under another name so was confused. I read about all the SE before and Iām very anxiousā¦
I saw some tips like to take paracetamol in advance and take it out of fridge 30 minutes before the injection but I canāt remember anything else.
Does anyone have more tips?
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Hope your team can support you with more meds so you donāt feel like that! What regimen are you on out of interest?
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Chita - Iāve done 3 rounds of filgastrim. 1st round no effects, 2nd round after the 5th jab had some thigh and hip ache which paracetamol taken regularly would have resolved I think (I didnāt take the paracetamol that time as just didnāt think about it!). Didnāt stop me doing anything at all though. Having just completed my 3rd round I have some lower back aches - nothing of concern - so now taking 2 paracetamol in the morning, 2 at bed time and 2x2 during the day - only lasts a few days was my experience. (No more than 8 paracetamol in a 24 hour period as per instructions). Maybe I was lucky but thatās all Iāve experienced. Taking jab takes minutes. Very easy, no pain. Alternated each day which side I jabbed (I did mine in my tummy)
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@stafford22 well done for taking the leap. I thought id be fine when the time came but it has been much more emotional than i was expecting. Ive always had such thick hair that having hardly any is very strange. Going to see how this week goes and may be forced into a decision at some point. How do you feel about going out with no hair? I feel like that will be a dig deep day for me if it comes!
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Hi @chita. I have taken 3 rounds of filgrastim so far. The first time i wasnt prepared and just took it in the morning. That was a mistake as i suffered all weekend with hip and pelvis pain. However after talking to my team advised to take paracetamol before and do it before bed. Definitely helped and i slept through with some mild discomfort for a few days rather than the pain that first week. Are you injecting yourself? Gives you much more control when to take it.
Good luck x
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I can only just bare taking my hat off indoors for a short time but going out I will be donning my hats/scarves, I already feel like everyone who looks, knows Iām a cancer patient and the rest of my hair will probably be gone soon.
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I thought Iād be a mess when getting it shaved. I did cry but then felt ok. I put a hat on straight away. As I had chemo yesterday Iāve been wearing a turban type hat all day in bed/around the house. Iāve got 2 lovely wigs and lots of caps so I will wear these when I go out and about x
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Iām the same with wearing hats around the house, but going out Iāll wear my wig and a cap. I want to try and look like my oldself when out and about. As I had chemo yesterday I wonāt be venturing out for a few days x
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2nd chemo yesterday - as many of you know I had a rough old time on my first EC. Yesterday they reduced it by 20%.
Last night I hardly slept, was awake from midnight onwards and havenāt napped today (steroids)
I donāt have the mighty hangover feeling like I had on day 2 of cycle 1. So thatās a good sign. The nasty injections start tonight!
Iāve got a red face again from the steroids. Iām hoping today is a good sign and this cycle will be easier: even if I have to stay in bed for 5/6 days I donāt mind x
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Thanks @feck and @joast79 for sharing your experience, I feel much better now. It seems not everyone has bad side effects, I just hope Iām not one of them haha
Luckily donāt have to start with it till Sunday
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Yes take them out 30 mins before, take 2 paracetamols and then try and go asleep. I only experienced pain (like labour pains) on the last one. I definitely think moving around the next day helps. You maybe also get a flushed face, the is side effects from steroids and injections x
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Itās strange with the injections as some people have them the following day of chemo (like me) some only take for 3 days, some for 5 and some for 7!
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Sounds like the reduction is what your body needed, I didnt flush this time round, 2 days of jabs left, no pain atm.
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It probably depends on the treatmentā¦ Iāll have it on day 3-5 and then 9-12 of the cycle. On EC itāll be 5 days in a row I think
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I have EC every 3 weeks and I have the injection From day 2 for 7 days x
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