Had reaction to Anti Nausea Medication

irene77
irene77 Member Posts: 28
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Just completed my second round of chemo. Was unable to get approval for Emend, finally did get approval will use for third treatment. Cost 65.00 for three pills, insurance picking up the rest, however will pay what ever it takes to get rid of the nausea. I used compazine with second treatment, terable reaction, very dizzy could hardly stand felt like I was going to pass out, brain felt like it was out to lunch, also felt like there was a knife in my throat, finally called the Doctor at 10:30 pm. Doctor called back right away he expained it was the compazine, and it takes 12 hours to get out of my system, said to take zofran instead took the zofran which knocked me out. The next morning all weired symtoms gone. Wonder if anyone ever had a reation to the anti nausea medication. All information or suggestion appreciated.
Irene

Comments

  • pamness
    pamness Member Posts: 524 Member
    Compazine - has a bad reaction for a number of people
    I tolerate it fairly well, but too much of it makes me very anxious. I have a number of friends that cannot tolerate it. Sounds like you are one of them. Zolfran and Emend are much stronger anti nauseu medications. There is also a substitute for compazine which is milder (I don't remember the name). Also, attivan can help.

    I used Emend, decadron (a steroid) and zolfan - for the most part. I had a hard time with nausea. I did use some compazine and attivan.

    Pam
  • Buzzard
    Buzzard Member Posts: 3,043 Member
    Compazine.......
    works off of neuro-transmitters to send electrical signals to the brain telling it to shut down the nausea. If you are on anti depressants to up your spirits then the compazine will not work for you. Your neuro-transmitters have shut down and since compazine works through them it becomes useless. Zofran put me to sleep as well but thats all I want to do with nausea anyway. I tried anzemet and it was ok but the emend....it is the best. Good Luck to you and God Bless........
  • irene77
    irene77 Member Posts: 28
    Buzzard said:

    Compazine.......
    works off of neuro-transmitters to send electrical signals to the brain telling it to shut down the nausea. If you are on anti depressants to up your spirits then the compazine will not work for you. Your neuro-transmitters have shut down and since compazine works through them it becomes useless. Zofran put me to sleep as well but thats all I want to do with nausea anyway. I tried anzemet and it was ok but the emend....it is the best. Good Luck to you and God Bless........

    thanks for the feed back
    I am not taking anti Depresants, never did, my body can not take compazine, I am also unable to take asprins and several Anti biotics, always get an alergic reaction. Before Cancer I was not taking any other medications. All these pill are so new to me. I am a novice, becoming a nurse.
    Irene
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    My friend, Herb
    I have been on chemo for 5 years non stop. What I have found to be best for treating nausea has been marijuana. I know it is against the law in many states but it is the best thing around that I have found in 5 years and it is cheap(er) than $65 or $180 for 3 Emend. This is however somewhat of a hot topic around here, it is illegal in many states so I imagine that is what part of the big deal is. The pharmaceutical companies can not make $$$ off it which is probably why it's illegal.
    -phil
  • irene77
    irene77 Member Posts: 28
    PhillieG said:

    My friend, Herb
    I have been on chemo for 5 years non stop. What I have found to be best for treating nausea has been marijuana. I know it is against the law in many states but it is the best thing around that I have found in 5 years and it is cheap(er) than $65 or $180 for 3 Emend. This is however somewhat of a hot topic around here, it is illegal in many states so I imagine that is what part of the big deal is. The pharmaceutical companies can not make $$$ off it which is probably why it's illegal.
    -phil

    Thanks for the suggestion
    Hi Phil
    Wonder if marijuana comes in a pill form? Does the Doctor give you the prescription for it? Will try Emend on the third chemo treatment. As for now I am drinking lots of water and getting rest, cant believe how tired I am.
    Irene
  • PhillieG
    PhillieG Member Posts: 4,866 Member
    irene77 said:

    Thanks for the suggestion
    Hi Phil
    Wonder if marijuana comes in a pill form? Does the Doctor give you the prescription for it? Will try Emend on the third chemo treatment. As for now I am drinking lots of water and getting rest, cant believe how tired I am.
    Irene

    Pill form
    Irene, there is a pill called Marinol, I have never used it and have heard that it's difficult to get. I would see what your MD suggests. I'm 'old school' and have no problem with my way of dealing with the side effects. I realize that everyone does not have access to it, I think that's a problem.
    Yes, chemo can make you very tired.
  • Triggin
    Triggin Member Posts: 5
    PhillieG said:

    Pill form
    Irene, there is a pill called Marinol, I have never used it and have heard that it's difficult to get. I would see what your MD suggests. I'm 'old school' and have no problem with my way of dealing with the side effects. I realize that everyone does not have access to it, I think that's a problem.
    Yes, chemo can make you very tired.

    yep
    I used Marijuana almost every day during my treatment when I was 19. I really consider it a WONDER drug! it took away my naseau, gave me a great appetite, made me feel "normal" again. the big thing with marijuana is that it gives makes you hungry! and you need to eat good and eat right during your treatment or else your body will get weak, your counts will go down, and you may need a blood transfusion! I never once needed a blood transfusion! cheers!