I started docetaxel last Thursday with filgramstin injections for 7 days. I’m on day 5 and lying in pain, can’t sleep. I have a dry mouth and my tongue is sore. I have a headache. I have tried pain killers and they are not touching it. I have put a cold compress on my lower back and has eased it a little. I had coped so well with everything up to now, think I am just disappointed in myself and over thinking things. I will ring Hospital tomorrow for advice, I feel like stopping the injections to give myself some respite:woozy_face: It’s the lack of sleep that’s the worse:pleading_face:
4 Likes
Gosh, @springer64 - I totally relate and understand. I can’t decipher what comes from what some days.
I have sedatives which have really helped. X
@springer64 I started TCPH last Wednesday, which includes docetaxel so am also taking filgramstin. I’d read about loratadine easing some of the symptoms caused by filgramstin so I’ve been taking a tablet each day. Have had plenty of other side effects but no joint pain.
Hoping you find some sleep soon.
1 Like
Thank you for your message. It’s a big help knowing I am not the only one. Feeling better this morning, 2 more days of filgramstin 
Hope you are feeling better today too x
1 Like
I have 4 to go, bloody sick of them!
1 Like
Well my husband broke one of the syringes, so when I was at the hospital today for PICC line dressing I asked them what I should do. They prescribed an extra syringe so I still have to do the 7…I was gutted thought they’d say “it doesn’t matter 6 days should be ok” Didn’t know whether to laugh or 
Ha, I know the feeling… I am currently with my family and left 2 behind. Same thing. Is it the bone pain for you? X
I’m on 7 day injections too every fortnight and i found i couldn’t sleep with them either. Days 1 and 2 of the injections were more of a broken sleep as i think it was fighting against being floored by chemo. By the 3rd and 4th injection night, i wasnt sleeping but then eased off after that, probably cos i was so tired from not sleeping the previous nights. I cant read anything about it being a common side effect but i do think its them too.
Hi yes it’s the bone pain, I was advised to do the injections at night before bed so I could sleep better. Well that hasn’t worked. I’ve just done injection no 6 and have come to bed. I have taken 2 ibuprofen to see what difference that makes. Paracetamol didn’t touch it😕
I hoping I get up tomorrow with resumed taste buds and more energy… But we’ll see. Hope everyone has a good night x
@yjmc I think it must be the injections too. I was on 3 weekly EC with no injections and found the chemo just hit me for a few days. Docetaxel started last week and the first couple of days were about the same then the filgramstin started and it’s been rough. Can’t wait till the weekend and no more injections and hopefully by body will start to recover. Have a good night x
Filgrastim seems to make my arms and legs like jelly. It doesn’t stop me sleeping but then again everything seems to send me to sleep Last one tonight for this cycle thank goodness.
Has anyone read about pegfilgrastim? Less doses? I have 8 filgrastrim post each cycle (8 cycles) & am sick of it. X
Is that the single long lasting injection? I would imagine it’s more expensive and that’s why we get the other. It’s worth asking your team about it though because 8 injections is a lot to cope with.
It is & i figured the same! I guess with 1 cycle left now (hopefully) that asking may be pretty pointless. X
1 Like
I really don’t like the injections either, i find 7 each cycle a lot to contend with!
1 Like
It’s loads isn’t it?! For some reason I have 8 - it dawned on me when they kept saying “there’s a break” that there really isn’t. The steroids, the chemo, then the injections… Then bam… Chemo again 
2 Likes
Hi @springer64
I was very poorly with the Filgrastim when I had Docetaxel 3 years ago, exactly as you describe. I was given Pegfilgrastim, as suggested by sbee above for the following 2 cycles, and I definitely coped better with that. It’s worth asking if that’s a possibility for you next time.
In case it helps, I’m doing really well now, but the Docetaxel treatment was my low point of the whole year. Sending best wishes XX
2 Likes
Thank you for your message @jules_n. I do have 2 docetaxels to go, next one is the 26th June and last one 17th July and it’s the thought of 7 days of filgramstin that is on my mind. I will ask about peg filgramstin…it’s worth a try. I spoke to one of the cancer nurses who say some people have there doses reduced to 5 or even 3 but I obviously want the best medication for the best outcome.
I am pleased you are going on ok and I’m hoping that will be me in a couple of years time.
Thank you and best wishes to you xx
Same here! I didnt first round but this 2nd docetaxel round i have taken antihistamine as mentioned. Has REALLY eased pains. Like you, paracetamol and ‘sleep through it’ didnt do a thing! X
1 Like
Here with the same issues tonight - my hips and pelvis are in agony.