Need advice and help about medication

RachelMarie
RachelMarie Member Posts: 10 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

My husband had bot surgery with infiltration into lymph node surgery on Dec 23. Sometimes, he can get pills down, sometimes he can't. Sometimes he can get liquid down, sometimes he can't and he vomits. We have his first oncology appt on January 23rd. Today his primary and the ent who did the surgery recommended a peg tube. My husband is very reluctant about this. Anyway, they have him on an anti nausea medication, anti depressant and the magic mouthwash.  He just tried to take the anti nausea and of course he threw up, he says it gets stuck in his throat. Even some thicker liquids get stuck also. Should I try crushing these pills and adding them with water, or should he try the magic mouth wash first and if he can keep that down, then try the medications? Any advice would be appreciated. He has lost so much weight already.

Comments

  • CivilMatt
    CivilMatt Member Posts: 4,724 Member
    edited January 2017 #2
    starting

    RM,

    Sorry that he is having problems swallowing.  I was stage IVa, scc, bot, 1 lymph node, hpv+ (surgery, rads & Erbitux). I would say at this point, crushing the pills up and trying to make things as easy to drink as possible.  You are in the early, early stages of the treatments and to be having issues with swallowing is important to get through successfully. If he can’t swallow, how is he eating? 

    A PEG tube can be a lifesaver to someone having eating issues.  Many on here do not like them.  Many on here swear by them.  People that never needed one can explain their position better than me.  I had 2, 1 bad and 1 very good.  I also managed to drink at least 1 meal a day.

    Magic mouth wash (which I went through 6 bottles) is usually used during the middle to later weeks of treatment when throat, tongue and mouth discomfort are issues.

    You need to consume 3k calories a day (approx.), how you get them down is any way possible (solid or liquid).

    Start drinking lots of water and swallowing often (even now).

    Good luck,

    Matt

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    edited January 2017 #3
    First of all

    Call the doctor immediately available about his inability to take pain meds.

    PEG. My husband had one but never needed it.  However, we would not start treatment without one.  Get one as soon as possible.  Nutrition is critical to healing: this is not the flu, it is life-changing cancer treatment.

     

     

    About his inability to take pain meds

  • RachelMarie
    RachelMarie Member Posts: 10 Member
    #4
    Thank You. He has thrown up 3

    Thank You. He has thrown up 3 times since last night. This latest vomit had a brownish/blackish liquid in it, with lots of clear juices and some foam. He has had maybe 1 or 2 sips of coke, and 1 or 2 sips of water all night. Is the blackish liquid the coke or is it old blood?

  • Noellesmom
    Noellesmom Member Posts: 1,859 Member
    edited January 2017 #5
    Hard to say

    A few sips can look like much more when vomited BUT we all know it can be a sign of something serious.  Call the doctor this morning.

  • Tonita
    Tonita Member Posts: 197 Member
    #6
    After my tongue surgery, I

    After my tongue surgery, I couldn't swallow pills, even with liquid.  I could with pudding and yogurt.  What really worked best for me was cream of wheat.  Even now, almost a year later, I can take one pill at a time when I used to be able to just take the whole lot at once. 

  • swopoe
    swopoe Member Posts: 492
    edited January 2017 #7
    I also would call the doctor.

    I also would call the doctor. Better safe than sorry. My hubby got a PEG before treatment started. He didn't want it, but was glad he got it. About half way through treatment, he ended up using the PEG exclusively, and it was a lifesaver, literally.  He needs to get his calories, and if it comes from a PEG, then so be it. About 6 weeks after treatment, my husband had the PEG removed, so it isn't forever. Best wishes, and I hope everything turns out ok.

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #8
    If he can't take his meds

    because they get stuck and gag him, you can grind them up and put in juice or water....that's how most non-liquid meds are taken if given through a PEG tube.  Nobody "wanted" a PEG tube really....but they can become necessary down the road.  If both his PCP and the ENT are suggesting it....and he hasn't even started radiation or chemo yet...then he might want to just bite the bullet and get it now.  It's way easier before treatment starts then finding out in the middle of treatment that it's needed.  I didn't need mine once during radiation....but when I had adjuvent chemo after rads....oh my was I glad I had it!!!  You just never know the "when" things will get dicey, and he won't have to go without any nutrition for days while they arrange tube placement.  Nutrition is key to healing and staying strong during treatment!!!

    p

  • SASH
    SASH Member Posts: 421 Member
    edited January 2017 #9
    Before crushing

    Before crushing meds check with the doctor or pharmacist as this could alter the way they are absorbed into the system.  If you get an OK to crush, you can either get a pill crusher, or I found that it was easier to melt them in hot water and then mix them in a liquid to swallow them down.  We used to crush my dad's pills and put them in pudding or apple sauce.

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