Nausea already??
I don't want to be a whiner, just wondering if I am facing six weeks of this.
Vicki
Comments
-
Sick
Vicki,
Since we are all different (I'm sure you are getting tired of hearing that already!), you just don't know what your effects will be.
My stomach "rolled" the first couple of times. Once I knew my tummy wasn't feeling right, I took the pills and I ended up not vomiting. All in all, for the 12 rounds (I was on chemo) I think I might have vomited twice.
How are you this morning? Is the vomiting lasting? Always let your onc nurses/doctor know if you think it's lasting too long. They want you to call with any questions or concerns.
We're with you every step of the way!
Claudia
Stage 3, colon cancer.
NED since Dec 070 -
I was 'lucky'...nauseous all the time from day 3...
BUT that is me...I look at a spinning wheel and my head spins...lol!
I found that smaller, more frequent meals, always having something in my tummy, really helped.
Also, as you have already found...stuff with fizz. Interestingly, Coke (regular, NOT diet) REALLY helped!!! Better than 7-up.
Ginger ale. Candied ginger (it's really strong, but I nibbled at it). Scalloped potatoes.
It was normal for me. But, I would still ask today.
I STILL have your back, dearheart!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
nausea
not going to get any effects for a couple of weeks? who are they kidding?! Probably just hoping to head any off with positive reinforcement! Nausea was a biggie for me. Definitely helps if you have SOMETHING in your tummy at all times. I kept a dish of saltines with peanut butter on them next to my bed at all times. I didn't do carbonation cause i don't ever drink soda, didn't keep it around. Mint tea helped me tremendously. However, even with all that, i needed better meds. When I got on the Emend and Decadron combo, I finally didn't have nausea or vomiting anymore. Towards the end, I needed to add phenergan on days 1 and 2, but that was it! Keep on it and talk to your onc and nurses to get it under control. Nausea is a biggie that tends to keep people from wanting to continue chemo. Vomiting is even worse, as not only do you not want to eat anything, but you get dehydrated, etc. Hang in there and keep us posted.
mary0 -
something to do with the (sorry) sugar syrup....VickiCO said:I am a Pepsi Gal...
Kathi, why not diet?
I tried diet...didn't work as well...
I didn't have as much success with Pepsi...the formulation is a bit different, I guess. Since my success with Coke during chemo, I now use it anytime my tummy is a bit off...like on my trip back from The Netherlands last time with a case of raging stomach flu....
Hugs, Kathi0 -
Treat symptoms before they get out of control
My team stressed to treat symptoms and side effects the second I started having them... ie, if I had nausea, take anti-nausea med immediately; if I had a loose stool, take immodium at first sign; rinse with mouth-sore mouthwash every day before I got mouth sores; etc.
I can't say I felt great during chemo, but I only had a few times where I actually puked. I had a first and second line of defense meds for nausea. First was for mild nausea and second for heavy nausea. If first didn't work, take second. They worked for me.
If you have something and it doesn't work.. request something else. Just as nobody is going to experience this exactly the same, meds don't work exactly the same on everyone. Also, each of my treatments wasn't exactly the same. There were a few that I stayed in bed for days and a few that I was up and at it again without really missing a beat. Don't get horribly discouraged. It isn't fun, but you can do this. If your side effects are really bad, the doctors need to know this as well so that they may reduce or change your treatments.
As others have said, find foods that work for you. Things aren't going to taste the same during chemo and you may have to get creative.
I hope you feel better soon!
Tricia0 -
Thanks everyone
I did talk to the techs this morning. They said they meant the serious side effects from radiation probably won't start for a while...nausea often is right out the gate - which is why I was given the Compazine before I even started chemo. They also stressed eating several small meals.
I think I've headed off the worst of it today. I took the Compazine right away, and I have been nibbling all morning. I sure was grouchy for the rads, though. An hour and a half round trip in the car, while feeling lousy, for a 5 minute treatment. And it's cold an snowy today...there, I have ALL my whines out! LOL!
Thanks to all. I will get tougher. Vicki0 -
TOUGH, SHMOUGHVickiCO said:Thanks everyone
I did talk to the techs this morning. They said they meant the serious side effects from radiation probably won't start for a while...nausea often is right out the gate - which is why I was given the Compazine before I even started chemo. They also stressed eating several small meals.
I think I've headed off the worst of it today. I took the Compazine right away, and I have been nibbling all morning. I sure was grouchy for the rads, though. An hour and a half round trip in the car, while feeling lousy, for a 5 minute treatment. And it's cold an snowy today...there, I have ALL my whines out! LOL!
Thanks to all. I will get tougher. Vicki
Don't try to be tough, this sucks and you deserve to not be happy about it! Whine whenever necessary. I know I hate having to get out of my home zone when i'm not feeling well, would hate to have to make the trip to get radiation while feeling chemo ick! Hope you are feeling better soon.
mary0 -
Just straight 5FU
As far as I know, I am only getting 5FU in my pump. My daughter just called to tell me her tricks. She just went through her 3rd rough pregnancy (dehydration, nausea, hospitalization, etc.) She developed a way to hook a plastic grocery bag to the bottom of the steering wheel, so she could be prepared when driving down the road! She also swears by the sea bands on the wrist. We'll see.
As for the cold sensitivity, I am not really susceptible (yet) It was only 25 degrees this morning - anyone would have been cold! I chose an early morning radiation time, because I thought then I could get on with my day. Now I am glad, because the nausea seems to get worse midday.
Mary - thank you. I am normally the strong one in the family - hubby calls me 'Pioneer Woman' because I always have to do it for myself. But this has knocked me back some. I think I will wallow today. Oh, and they told me I don't get my weekend off from radiation - because of the holidays next week, we are doing Sun-Wed. Wahhh! At least **** can drive me Sunday!
Vicki0 -
Do you want some cheese with your wine?VickiCO said:Thanks everyone
I did talk to the techs this morning. They said they meant the serious side effects from radiation probably won't start for a while...nausea often is right out the gate - which is why I was given the Compazine before I even started chemo. They also stressed eating several small meals.
I think I've headed off the worst of it today. I took the Compazine right away, and I have been nibbling all morning. I sure was grouchy for the rads, though. An hour and a half round trip in the car, while feeling lousy, for a 5 minute treatment. And it's cold an snowy today...there, I have ALL my whines out! LOL!
Thanks to all. I will get tougher. Vicki
Never mind, take care of YOU!
I always carried a few quart-sized ziploc bags with me, just in case I felt sick in the car...just that knowledge was a comfort.
Bundle up! You don't need to be cold on top of the reaction to the chemo. Be prepared, you may experience cold sensitivity...are you getting carboplatin as well as the 5FU? I can't remember what you said (darn chemo brain...lol...even 4 years later!!!!) If so, all of the 'platins' are know for causing it.
Also a metalic taste to everything...I drank Propel instead of water because it's got a strong taste that mask it....
I agree with all, the best thing to do is head all symptoms off at the pass...before they get too bad...
I had carboplatin (it really has platinum in it!). I always figured that my body was worth more than normal people's because of the soaring price of platinum....rofl!
Hugs, Kathi
BTW, regarding the radiation....at the first sign of a redness...sort of a sunburn...ask your doctor for something to help....figure 2 days from your notice till full effect....I used aquaphor, A&D ointment, and cornstarch...(my radiation was given with me laying on my belly, so the point of entry was my backside, which gets the effects the worst...)0 -
See my last...BTW..VickiCO said:Just straight 5FU
As far as I know, I am only getting 5FU in my pump. My daughter just called to tell me her tricks. She just went through her 3rd rough pregnancy (dehydration, nausea, hospitalization, etc.) She developed a way to hook a plastic grocery bag to the bottom of the steering wheel, so she could be prepared when driving down the road! She also swears by the sea bands on the wrist. We'll see.
As for the cold sensitivity, I am not really susceptible (yet) It was only 25 degrees this morning - anyone would have been cold! I chose an early morning radiation time, because I thought then I could get on with my day. Now I am glad, because the nausea seems to get worse midday.
Mary - thank you. I am normally the strong one in the family - hubby calls me 'Pioneer Woman' because I always have to do it for myself. But this has knocked me back some. I think I will wallow today. Oh, and they told me I don't get my weekend off from radiation - because of the holidays next week, we are doing Sun-Wed. Wahhh! At least **** can drive me Sunday!
Vicki
my comment about the radiation....
BIG hugs!!!!
Kathi0 -
Kathi
yes, they did warn me about the 'burn'. I am also on my tummy for this. I swear I can feel it (I know, I am psyching myself out.) They told me to keep Desitin handy. I also have Lidocaine & hydrocortisone for my hemorrhoids and plan to use that as well.
Like I said...this sucks. But then I remember that we can be cured. I have lost family members to other cancers.
V0 -
Keep your eyes on the prize....VickiCO said:Kathi
yes, they did warn me about the 'burn'. I am also on my tummy for this. I swear I can feel it (I know, I am psyching myself out.) They told me to keep Desitin handy. I also have Lidocaine & hydrocortisone for my hemorrhoids and plan to use that as well.
Like I said...this sucks. But then I remember that we can be cured. I have lost family members to other cancers.
V
Just remember this is all temporary....and the goal is getting on with your life!!!
I may have said this before, but it REALLY helped me thru...
Pick a place to go as a reward after treatment. I scheduled a 3-day spa trip to a place I had gone before. So I spent my lowest moments planning and visualizing my trip. As it turned out, it had to be postponed because of my second, breast cancer diagnosis...but after that, one year later, I went!!!
Hugs, Kathi0 -
try different antinausea meds
Don't be afraid to ask to try different anti-nausea meds. There are a LOT out there. I experimented with several before I found what worked best for me (Emend). Still have some nausea, but no vomiting. I also swear by peppermint tea, ginger tea, and nibbling on crackers, small frequent meals. Good luck!
Tara0 -
Thanks..I am better now
The eating small meals, and some occasional carbonated drinks, helps. I hate mint in all forms, but ginger is something I love! Also, I have been so constipated for days, and (only you guys will understand this!) this morning had success in that area. I feel like a new person!
Yesterday I was tired and cranky (and had to poop but couldn't, which didn't help my disposition!) and my wonderful husband made me the best damn turkey/avocado sandwich I have ever eaten. I swear, this sandwich would win awards! LOL! And this from a guy who thinks cooking is making reservations, or pressing the microwave button on instant popcorn! I think the T/A sandwich is now my comfort food....
Vicki0 -
Avocado is an excellent choice!VickiCO said:Thanks..I am better now
The eating small meals, and some occasional carbonated drinks, helps. I hate mint in all forms, but ginger is something I love! Also, I have been so constipated for days, and (only you guys will understand this!) this morning had success in that area. I feel like a new person!
Yesterday I was tired and cranky (and had to poop but couldn't, which didn't help my disposition!) and my wonderful husband made me the best damn turkey/avocado sandwich I have ever eaten. I swear, this sandwich would win awards! LOL! And this from a guy who thinks cooking is making reservations, or pressing the microwave button on instant popcorn! I think the T/A sandwich is now my comfort food....
Vicki
Lots of vitamins and healthy fat, which can help getting the bowels moving as well! I like avocado on just about anything!
mary0 -
Well, if it's not one thing...
This afternoon I started to bleed where the needle goes into the port. I can tell you it scared the you-know-what out of me. The doctor had me go to the cancer center, where an oncology nurse took it all apart, cleaned the area and reset everything. However, due to a number of reasons, not the least which was that I was too tense, it took 4 tries to get the new needle in. Let me tell you how that hurt! She froze the area with that spray- numbing stuff, but I could still feel it. By the time we were done, both she and I were crying together. None of this was her fault - apparently I have an anomaly. But, we persevered and now all is well.
It seems when I had my radiation this morning, I pressed the needle too hard down onto the table. I will be super, super careful from now on. And today started out so well...
Vicki0 -
Ask for a towel...VickiCO said:Well, if it's not one thing...
This afternoon I started to bleed where the needle goes into the port. I can tell you it scared the you-know-what out of me. The doctor had me go to the cancer center, where an oncology nurse took it all apart, cleaned the area and reset everything. However, due to a number of reasons, not the least which was that I was too tense, it took 4 tries to get the new needle in. Let me tell you how that hurt! She froze the area with that spray- numbing stuff, but I could still feel it. By the time we were done, both she and I were crying together. None of this was her fault - apparently I have an anomaly. But, we persevered and now all is well.
It seems when I had my radiation this morning, I pressed the needle too hard down onto the table. I will be super, super careful from now on. And today started out so well...
Vicki
or take a travel pillow (one of those blow-up semi-circle things) to put under your port.
I am so sorry you cried, my sweet soul...I am putting my arms around you right now...
BIG, fuzzy, warm hugs,
Kathi
BTW, when they put the needle into my port, I always blew out air thru my mouth...it seems to help...0
Discussion Boards
- All Discussion Boards
- 6 CSN Information
- 6 Welcome to CSN
- 121.8K Cancer specific
- 2.8K Anal Cancer
- 446 Bladder Cancer
- 309 Bone Cancers
- 1.6K Brain Cancer
- 28.5K Breast Cancer
- 396 Childhood Cancers
- 27.9K Colorectal Cancer
- 4.6K Esophageal Cancer
- 1.2K Gynecological Cancers (other than ovarian and uterine)
- 13K Head and Neck Cancer
- 6.3K Kidney Cancer
- 671 Leukemia
- 792 Liver Cancer
- 4.1K Lung Cancer
- 5.1K Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin)
- 237 Multiple Myeloma
- 7.1K Ovarian Cancer
- 61 Pancreatic Cancer
- 487 Peritoneal Cancer
- 5.5K Prostate Cancer
- 1.2K Rare and Other Cancers
- 538 Sarcoma
- 730 Skin Cancer
- 653 Stomach Cancer
- 191 Testicular Cancer
- 1.5K Thyroid Cancer
- 5.8K Uterine/Endometrial Cancer
- 6.3K Lifestyle Discussion Boards