Wondering if anyone has experienced this ...
Yesterday, after 5 days of Neupogen injections to prepare for stem cell collection, I suddenly felt wired. Couldn't sleep the night before and felt like I drank a case of Mountain Dew (worse than a dex night!). I did sleep a bit last night, but even weirder was the fact that this was the first time in years that I did not experience any carpal tunnel symptoms.
I'm wondering if it's something in the Neupogen (besides E. coli!) that's doing that. Or is it the increase in neutrophils (my numbers have always been normal)?
The only other meds I'm taking are Claritin (loratadine) and acyclovir, both of which I've taken before.
Thank you!
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gardengirl - Name: gardengirl
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov. 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
Re: Neupogen, sleep, and carpal tunnel symptoms
Hello, GG:
Thought I would add a little comment here. The Neupogen (filgrastim) is stimulant for the bone marrow (related to the immune system) where white blood cells production is increased. It is a type of an upper. It is not an upper with respect to the nervous system, but like most other drugs, does have impact on other systems in the body. The word the doctor used to describe it to us was the immune system was "revved up" by the filgrastim. The most common side effect that bothers people is that it produces a type of bone pain. As for other side effects, since it is an upper, and you do come down off of it when it wears off, I am not surprised that you experienced the "wired" feeling. My understanding is that this wears off within a few days after finishing the course of the drug, with no long term impacts.
There is one thing I recall about the process, and I do not recall whether or not its the Neupogen or the Mozobil, however, one of them has a potentially serious impact on the spleen, though its rare. I recall being advised of being on guard for any serious stomach pain, and to go to the ER right away if it kicks in (it did not). The drug has on rare occasion enlarged the spleen seriously, or made it burst. Although this did not happen in my wife's case, the doctor explained it well, and we were appreciative of the heads up. Good luck to you.
Thought I would add a little comment here. The Neupogen (filgrastim) is stimulant for the bone marrow (related to the immune system) where white blood cells production is increased. It is a type of an upper. It is not an upper with respect to the nervous system, but like most other drugs, does have impact on other systems in the body. The word the doctor used to describe it to us was the immune system was "revved up" by the filgrastim. The most common side effect that bothers people is that it produces a type of bone pain. As for other side effects, since it is an upper, and you do come down off of it when it wears off, I am not surprised that you experienced the "wired" feeling. My understanding is that this wears off within a few days after finishing the course of the drug, with no long term impacts.
There is one thing I recall about the process, and I do not recall whether or not its the Neupogen or the Mozobil, however, one of them has a potentially serious impact on the spleen, though its rare. I recall being advised of being on guard for any serious stomach pain, and to go to the ER right away if it kicks in (it did not). The drug has on rare occasion enlarged the spleen seriously, or made it burst. Although this did not happen in my wife's case, the doctor explained it well, and we were appreciative of the heads up. Good luck to you.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Neupogen, sleep, and carpal tunnel symptoms
Hi Gardengirl
My husband has been on Neupogen twice – first prior to his stem cell harvest, and then prior to his stem cell transplant. He claims that he did not have any adverse effects while on Neupogen but developed neuropathy in his feet afterwards, which continues to this day.
In addition, he developed two blood clots in his lower left leg after the first round of Neupogen and then developed another blood clot in his left arm after the second round of Neupogen. We actually do not know if the Neupogen contributed to the development of the blood clots or if something else caused them. He had never developed blood clots before.
My husband has been on Neupogen twice – first prior to his stem cell harvest, and then prior to his stem cell transplant. He claims that he did not have any adverse effects while on Neupogen but developed neuropathy in his feet afterwards, which continues to this day.
In addition, he developed two blood clots in his lower left leg after the first round of Neupogen and then developed another blood clot in his left arm after the second round of Neupogen. We actually do not know if the Neupogen contributed to the development of the blood clots or if something else caused them. He had never developed blood clots before.
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PattyB - Name: PattyB
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Neupogen, sleep, and carpal tunnel symptoms
All I can add is I feel it is worth letting you doctor know about what you are experiencing. You never know when something you thought was inconsequential is not.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
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