older patient -lot of nausea

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ginger2007
ginger2007 Member Posts: 2
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
My mom is 82 yrs old and stage 4. Her onc is recommending Camptosar, but she is worried the side effects may be too much for her. The Xeloda and Oxaliplatin regime was very rough and had to be discontinued, tho it was keeping her CEA down. Tried Vectibix after that and it didn't work. She has been off all chemo for about a month and has constant queasiness/nausea. She's wondering if the nausea is from the cancer, not the chemo, since she's been off chemo a while. Has anyone else had this experience and if so, how do they control it? Any advice/feedback welcome; thanks much.

Ginger

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  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #2
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    I just talked to one of my patient partners who got a second opinion for the same reason...she is a bit older, and had nausea ALOT.

    Second opinion strongly suggested IV 5FU....with some people, Xeloda tears up the stomach, even tho it's not one of the side effects. The IV 5FU is no picnic...but the discomfort lasts only a few days after infusion, instead of all the time...

    Hugs to you and your mom, Kathi
  • Limey
    Limey Member Posts: 446 Member
    #3
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    Hi ginger, I can t comment on the camptosar but have dealt with the nausea. Ginger tea helped me with the this, it settles the stomach. also if really bad, thre are 3-4 meds that can help with that. this last roud of chemo I am doing the Xeloda and I have found that Zantac has helped as the nausea is coming from my stomach being so upset. Hope this helps. Never give up hun.
    Mark.
  • claud1951
    claud1951 Member Posts: 424 Member
    #4
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    Hi Ginger,
    I can't say I know what's going on with the nausea and not being on Chemo.

    I have been on Camptosar for 2 months now along with the 5fu pump for 46 hours.

    The "cocktail IV I get (with the Camptosar) includes nausea medicine plus I have pills if I feel sick (at home). I have to say that I hardly use the pills.

    I was like your Mom with the Xeloda and Oxaliplatin. I had to get off of it.

    The regimine I'm on now seems to work well. Still some side effects (I don't think anyone can get around that) but they aren't as bad.

    give your Mom my best and tell her lots of people (out here) are wishing her the best!
    Claudia
  • davidsonxx
    davidsonxx Member Posts: 134
    #5
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    Stress may also be contributing to the nausea. I would always get a little queasy on my way to the treatments even though I felt ok the day before. Since things have been a little rough for your mom recently she may benefit from some relaxation techniques.
  • ginger2007
    ginger2007 Member Posts: 2
    #6
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    KathiM said:

    I just talked to one of my patient partners who got a second opinion for the same reason...she is a bit older, and had nausea ALOT.

    Second opinion strongly suggested IV 5FU....with some people, Xeloda tears up the stomach, even tho it's not one of the side effects. The IV 5FU is no picnic...but the discomfort lasts only a few days after infusion, instead of all the time...

    Hugs to you and your mom, Kathi

    I haven't figured out how to respond to the group without clicking on each individual response, but want to thank all of you for your kind responses.

    Best wishes, Ginger
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #7
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    Ahoy, Ginger -

    I agree with Limey, one possible answer to your mom's nausea lies in your name; "Ginger". Tea is a great way to take it, there is also tablet form and eating it as a food (ginger snaps, ginger root, ginger ale, ginger beer, etc.)

    One method I have seen work extremely well (don't ask me how or why) with people who are seasick is to put a couple of drops of white ginger oil (available at most health food stores) on your wrist at the same place where you take the radial pulse.

    Cheers

    - SpongeBob

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