Question about the way Firmagon is injected in stomach!

Hello,

Oct. 3rd, my urologist's nurse gave me my first injection in the stomach (belt line) of Firmagon. My nurse had me to lower my pants, raise my shirt and lay on the exam table in a private exam room. After the injection, about 3-4 hours later, the area started to get red and sore. I had soreness and the area was red for 4-5 days.

Last month, I decided to change to a new oncologist who is connected to a local cancer clinic. Yesterday morning, I had my first injection. I was called in a large room (guess they called it a treatment room) where there were about 50 or so recliners. The nurse came and ask me if I wanted the injection in my arm or stomach, I looked at her and said, I'd always had it in my stomach and said that's where I preferred it. Well, she proceeded to tell me to pull my shirt up a bit. I wasn't expecting to get the injection in this manor. I pulled up my shirt, unbuckled my buckle, lowered my pants a bit and she gave me the injection.

After 2-3 hours, it began to hurt. While at home, the pain increased more and more throughout the day. By around 9PM, it was hurting so bad I decided to go to bed. While in bed, the pain was so bad, at times I cried a bit (along with praying), I was so desperate!! I awoke at 11PM (had to pee and in pain) and awoke again at 4AM (pee again and in pain)! The area was so so sore. I went to work at 8am and left at 11am, because I was feeling like I'd been run over by a 18 wheeler! or was that two 18 wheelers. I've been sitting in my recliner since. At 10am and at 4:30PM, I've taken one 30mg of morphine and two 10-325 oxycodone\acetaminophen. As of now, it's still sore, but not as bad as last night.

Monday, I'll call my new nurse and talk to her about the way my injection was administered and ask for a private room to lie down while the nurse gives me the injection.

My question is: does anyone take this injection and how is it given.

Thanks so much,

Dave in Bartlett, TN

Hi David,

My husband had his first Degarelix injection or should I say 2 injections yesterday.
He is in some pain so I put hot comprasses or towels that I heated on his tummy and he is rest asleep.
He didn't swell but a bit bruised. We also asked about having it injected in the arm or hip and the nurse said it is much worse to have it injected there so we opted for the tummy.
He had been on Lupron injections prior, and has been on a year vacation from it so this is a new medicine for him.
The lupron injections are just about the same amount of pain.
Try taking some ibuprofen and heat a hand towel in the microwave for about 1 minute to see if that helps.

Good Luck

BOOGEE

BOOGEE,

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll try it. Trusting everything continues well with your husband.

Dave

GPof4
My Firmagon injections were in the tummy above the belt line. I still have small lumps and feel them occasionally when I bend over to do something like tie a shoe.
I remember pain but it usually got better after a couple days. Subsequent injections were easier. I always received them laying down.
Hope your pain is relieved soon.
Best

It's not uncommon to have to discontinue Firmagon because of injection site reactions. Two guys in my support group had to switch to Lupron.

- Allen

Firmagon and Eligard are given in the belly fat. I had three years of Eligard shots and always had the area iced for 15 minutes before the shot. It never was a problem although the sight had a small marble sized lump for several days. This is the fat depot the in which the injection is made. Before the next injection ask them to ice the area first.

I get an Eligard shot to the belly. I've had three different Dr.s administer it. The best advice was from my Uro. No ice or freezing just have the Dr or Nurse pinch the belly hard while giving injection. I have my GP doing it now and it really works. I have to tell her to squeeze as hard as she can. Her first instinct is to not squeeze because the Eligard is thick and hard to inject. Sure the site is tender for a day or so but last few never even bruised.
All the best.

tooyoung4this: Thanks for your input and suggestions. You referring to no ice before the injection? I remember my new nurse NOT squeeze!! I do remember my old nurse squeeze. I'll tell my oncologist before I have the injection.

Pmikey: Thanks for your input and suggestions. I too, will tell my doctor about your suggestions. I do know that all the other injections didn't hurt as severe and lasted a day longer than the ones give by my first nurse.

Again, Thanks again for your concerns and suggestions.

Dave in Bartlett, TN

Dave

Don,

Thanks for the reply, I'll check into the Zoladex.

Dave in Bartlett, TN