benedryl

wawaju04976
wawaju04976 Member Posts: 316 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I will have folfox tx #15 this Friday. Since tx #6, I have been given Benedryl. I hate this, because it makes me all jittery, then they have to give me something to knock me out. This makes me feel groggy all weekend. Does anyone know if you have to have Benedryl? I know it is to prevent an allergic reaction, but it has been quite a number of txs now.

Judy

Comments

  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #2
    Benadryl shouldn't make you jittery

    It makes most people sleepy. (It's the same medication that is in OTC sleeping meds.) However, if they are also giving you Decadron, that would make you jittery.  If there is any concern that you might have an allergic response to any part of the chemo mixture, then they are giving you the Benadryl as a safety measure.

  • wawaju04976
    wawaju04976 Member Posts: 316 Member
    #3
    abrub said:

    Benadryl shouldn't make you jittery

    It makes most people sleepy. (It's the same medication that is in OTC sleeping meds.) However, if they are also giving you Decadron, that would make you jittery.  If there is any concern that you might have an allergic response to any part of the chemo mixture, then they are giving you the Benadryl as a safety measure.

    The first time (tx 6) it made

    The first time (tx 6) it made me sleep; from then on out, it's been jitters, jumpy, etc.

  • annalexandria
    annalexandria Member Posts: 2,571 Member
    #4
    wawaju04976 said:

    The first time (tx 6) it made

    The first time (tx 6) it made me sleep; from then on out, it's been jitters, jumpy, etc.

    I can't exactly remember,

    but I think after I'd had a few sessions, with no allergic reaction, they cut the bendryl way back (or maybe even out all together-sorry, chemo brain is in full action at the moment).  Anyway, I would ask your doc if this is a possibility.  i always hated that woozy feeling as well.  I don't blame you for wanting to avoid it.  Hugs and strength coming your way~AA

  • jen2012
    jen2012 Member Posts: 1,607 Member
    #5
    no benedryl
    My husband never had benedryl with folfox. Only the decradron which he asked the doc to cut after his first treatment. Kept him up all night. If they are afraid of a reaction but agree to eliminating it bring someone to the treatment with you so they are there to pick up on any reaction you have that the busy nurses may miss.
  • wawaju04976
    wawaju04976 Member Posts: 316 Member
    #6
    Thanks for your responses,

    Thanks for your responses, guys and gals!!!

    Judy

  • PatchAdams
    PatchAdams Member Posts: 271
    #7
    Ativan

    I was having allergic reactions even with Benadryl so my onc added Ativan.  He said Ativan can be used to prevent allergic reactions.  I slept all through my last 5 tx, tho. 

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