IV at home anyone?

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hislove40
hislove40 Member Posts: 51
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Since this is something I hadn't heard of before, I thought I'd post it. Eating or drinking has become a nightmare as it has I'm sure with most of you. Even so, I'm drinking water and nutrition drinks as much as possible but for some reason I'll vomit hours later. There is lots of heartburn of which I'm taking Zantac for but I guess I'm just not digesting. The doc said we should have done a feeding tube but I only have 8 rads left so here's what we are talking about. On Monday I'll start working from home, will do my rads during the day so a nurse can do an IV that I will go home with. We may do the IV every other day depending. She thinks that will get me through this last week and a half. Since I've rescued sick dogs, I actually have an IV stand at home. Did anyone else do this or have trouble with the vomiting from rads alone?

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  • osmotar
    osmotar Member Posts: 1,006
    #2
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    No IV
    No IV here, but I hope the added fluids get you thru the last 8 treatments, so close , take it a day at a time, and let the healing begin.

    Linda
  • ratface
    ratface Member Posts: 1,337 Member
    #3
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    an observation
    Can't answer about the IV at home or vomiting from rads alone but did you see the thread on "Bride to be diet" and might this not be an option for you instead of the IV? This is an alternate feeding tube solution which is probably faster delivery as I think it takes major hours to eat with an IV hookup?
  • RogerRN43
    RogerRN43 Member Posts: 185
    #4
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    The IV will prevent dehydration and help you feel better...
    You didn't mention previous chemo or an adverse effect to meds or a pre-existing condition that might be making you vomit. Rads likely has affected structures in the neck like the epiglottis involving the gag reflex and swallowing. A possible explanation is if you have a history of digestive problems and heartburn, stomach contents will travel up to the sensitive area affected by rads and cause you to vomit. Rads directed at the neck would not have been the cause of problems involving the lower esophageal stricture and digestion in the stomach.
    You may need something more than Zantac. Has anything else been suggested by your doctor? There are several drugs that come to mind depending on the cause. Losec, Maxeran, Stemetil, Largactyl, Motilium, etc.

    Since you are vomitting, you are losing fluids and electrolytes and at risk of dehydration.
    The IV at home will be for hydration therapy and to replace electrolytes, perhaps even a little nutrition if there is dextrose in the IV solution.
    I had an IV at home but it was for a 3 day protocol after receiving a heavy dose of Cisplatin. It was a 4 hour pump infusion each day so I just walked around with the IV pole when I had it.

    However you do it, maintain optimal hydration, nutrition, and tolerable exercise to promote circulation so that those healthy structures affected by rads heal the best.
  • kimmygarland
    kimmygarland Member Posts: 312
    #5
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    RogerRN43 said:

    The IV will prevent dehydration and help you feel better...
    You didn't mention previous chemo or an adverse effect to meds or a pre-existing condition that might be making you vomit. Rads likely has affected structures in the neck like the epiglottis involving the gag reflex and swallowing. A possible explanation is if you have a history of digestive problems and heartburn, stomach contents will travel up to the sensitive area affected by rads and cause you to vomit. Rads directed at the neck would not have been the cause of problems involving the lower esophageal stricture and digestion in the stomach.
    You may need something more than Zantac. Has anything else been suggested by your doctor? There are several drugs that come to mind depending on the cause. Losec, Maxeran, Stemetil, Largactyl, Motilium, etc.

    Since you are vomitting, you are losing fluids and electrolytes and at risk of dehydration.
    The IV at home will be for hydration therapy and to replace electrolytes, perhaps even a little nutrition if there is dextrose in the IV solution.
    I had an IV at home but it was for a 3 day protocol after receiving a heavy dose of Cisplatin. It was a 4 hour pump infusion each day so I just walked around with the IV pole when I had it.

    However you do it, maintain optimal hydration, nutrition, and tolerable exercise to promote circulation so that those healthy structures affected by rads heal the best.

    Yes - IV at Home
    My husband is about to start treatment again for recurrent hnc. First round, in 2009, we did extra hydration at home. We had a little "pouch" thing that held a liter of fluid. I was trained by the home health nurse to hook his port to it, and he carried the pouch around the house with him - seems like it took 4 hours.

    He starts chemo Monday and I expect we'll go through this again. This is much more convenient than having to drive to the clinic and sit there for several hours, and sounds like they will hook you up there while having rads - that's even better. It is very nerve racking for me to do it - as I am germphobic and you have to be very careful. But we do what we have to do, huh?!

    Good luck and I hope this gets you the extra hydration you need to finish your treatment.
  • hislove40
    hislove40 Member Posts: 51
    #6
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    osmotar said:

    No IV
    No IV here, but I hope the added fluids get you thru the last 8 treatments, so close , take it a day at a time, and let the healing begin.

    Linda

    7 more now :)
    Thanks Linda :). Yes just about there and I'll get through this - can't wait!!!
  • hislove40
    hislove40 Member Posts: 51
    #7
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    ratface said:

    an observation
    Can't answer about the IV at home or vomiting from rads alone but did you see the thread on "Bride to be diet" and might this not be an option for you instead of the IV? This is an alternate feeding tube solution which is probably faster delivery as I think it takes major hours to eat with an IV hookup?

    I missed that post until now - yuk!
    Ratface -
    That post is a little disturbing - doubt the doc would do that but I'm determined to get calories/fluids any way I can. Thanks for the suggestion :)
  • hislove40
    hislove40 Member Posts: 51
    #8
    Options
    RogerRN43 said:

    The IV will prevent dehydration and help you feel better...
    You didn't mention previous chemo or an adverse effect to meds or a pre-existing condition that might be making you vomit. Rads likely has affected structures in the neck like the epiglottis involving the gag reflex and swallowing. A possible explanation is if you have a history of digestive problems and heartburn, stomach contents will travel up to the sensitive area affected by rads and cause you to vomit. Rads directed at the neck would not have been the cause of problems involving the lower esophageal stricture and digestion in the stomach.
    You may need something more than Zantac. Has anything else been suggested by your doctor? There are several drugs that come to mind depending on the cause. Losec, Maxeran, Stemetil, Largactyl, Motilium, etc.

    Since you are vomitting, you are losing fluids and electrolytes and at risk of dehydration.
    The IV at home will be for hydration therapy and to replace electrolytes, perhaps even a little nutrition if there is dextrose in the IV solution.
    I had an IV at home but it was for a 3 day protocol after receiving a heavy dose of Cisplatin. It was a 4 hour pump infusion each day so I just walked around with the IV pole when I had it.

    However you do it, maintain optimal hydration, nutrition, and tolerable exercise to promote circulation so that those healthy structures affected by rads heal the best.

    No chemo or preexisting digestive problems
    Roger -
    My closest friend is a surgical nurse and also suggested a damaged epiglottis which prompted me to call the cancer center too late until Monday but I believe you both are right on the money. I've never had digestive issues or heartburn except a little heartburn in pregnancy 24-32 years ago :). I did manage to keep down 3/4 of a carnation breakfast last night - even though the urge to vomit was huge and I still feel like it as I sip apple juice. I'm just trying to get anything and keep anything down since 2 days passed with zero calories. One of the reasons for the IV that I didn't mention is a preexisting congenital condition called neurocardiogenic syncope also known as vasovagal syndrome which is simply a fainting disorder that I hadn't had incidence of for 10-12 years that came back as a result I believe of this jolt in my system and she felt would be relieved some with the IV. My NCS has never been a disability nor for any member of my family as it can be for some people. I am going to bring up Monday the heartburn meds you mentioned as well as phenergan that my friend brought up for relaxing the vomiting. Thank you so much for all your help Roger :)
  • hislove40
    hislove40 Member Posts: 51
    #9
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    kimmygarland said:

    Yes - IV at Home
    My husband is about to start treatment again for recurrent hnc. First round, in 2009, we did extra hydration at home. We had a little "pouch" thing that held a liter of fluid. I was trained by the home health nurse to hook his port to it, and he carried the pouch around the house with him - seems like it took 4 hours.

    He starts chemo Monday and I expect we'll go through this again. This is much more convenient than having to drive to the clinic and sit there for several hours, and sounds like they will hook you up there while having rads - that's even better. It is very nerve racking for me to do it - as I am germphobic and you have to be very careful. But we do what we have to do, huh?!

    Good luck and I hope this gets you the extra hydration you need to finish your treatment.

    Yes we do what we have to do :)
    Kimmy -
    Good luck with your husband's new treatment regimen. They are actually keeping me at the clinic for hours on Monday but hoping and praying that will be a one time thing because of scheduling or something. I have to work at home on my laptop and can't really afford much more time off. Not that I'm going to enjoy rolling around with that thing at home but at least I can get some things done :). I'll be anxious to hear how it's going for you and your husband and thanks so much for replying :).
  • staceya
    staceya Member Posts: 720
    #10
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    hislove40 said:

    No chemo or preexisting digestive problems
    Roger -
    My closest friend is a surgical nurse and also suggested a damaged epiglottis which prompted me to call the cancer center too late until Monday but I believe you both are right on the money. I've never had digestive issues or heartburn except a little heartburn in pregnancy 24-32 years ago :). I did manage to keep down 3/4 of a carnation breakfast last night - even though the urge to vomit was huge and I still feel like it as I sip apple juice. I'm just trying to get anything and keep anything down since 2 days passed with zero calories. One of the reasons for the IV that I didn't mention is a preexisting congenital condition called neurocardiogenic syncope also known as vasovagal syndrome which is simply a fainting disorder that I hadn't had incidence of for 10-12 years that came back as a result I believe of this jolt in my system and she felt would be relieved some with the IV. My NCS has never been a disability nor for any member of my family as it can be for some people. I am going to bring up Monday the heartburn meds you mentioned as well as phenergan that my friend brought up for relaxing the vomiting. Thank you so much for all your help Roger :)

    I did the exact same
    I did the exact same thing.
    Didn't have a tube, got down to 88 pounds, and dehydrated.
    We were so close to the end (about 10 days) that I was set up with IV fluids to run through my PICC line.
    I would sit in the recliner, watch the food network and hook myself up for "dinner."
    It did make things better for me.
    Stacey

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