Forum Discussion
First chemo treatment
Hi everyone, I had my first chemo treatment yesterday, AC. The moment I left, the nausea started, my beautiful mum made me a soup and half way through it started tasting like cardboard. I couldn't finish it. I took the nausea medication but it didn't help, took it again 2 hours later nothing. I couldn't even drink water, and I know I'm meant to be drinking heaps too rid of the toxins but just having a sip made me gag so badly. I even added a bit of cordial like it was suggested on a post here and nothing. It was really bad by 9pm and I told the hubby to call the hospital. They said to go to a gp and get an injection to help with the nausea. Came home, straight to bed. Woke up a couple of hours feeling better, still a bit nauses but tolerable though the thought of food and water makes me want to be sick again. My 5yr old said to me "some mummies get unwell and pass away" I tried to show them my strong face. I believe I have a high tolerance of pain but they saw through it or I'm not as a good actor as I thought! I was so angry I wasn't expecting any side effects till in 2 days time like all the drs and nurses said. Straight away I felt the nausea, the change in taste, smell, headaches, tingling in my feet. If this is what it was like the 1st time, will they all be like that?? Especially the nausea?? I don't think I can handle the nausea!
13 Replies
- Perhaps you could ask a Pharmacist.
Or telephone your Chemo suite prior to your next Chemo. - You can take ondansetron and maxalon together?
I was thinking for my next treatment to take ondansetron before i go in and hoping I won't get nauseous. I'm finding it really tough too. I don't know how I will get through it all. - The nausea is a beast. I’ve recently had my 2nd AC treatment and managing it a bit better than the first time with maxalon and ondansetron. So far Oral 7 mouthwash and toothpaste has helped me with oral thrush and mouth ulcers.I’m finding it very tough. I sure hope you feel better soon.
- I had my second treatment yesterday, they gave me extra fluids and sent me home with ondansetron. The nausea started again as soon as I left so I took one on the drive home, but it was too late. It didn't get as bad as last time but still very unpleasant. I took another one around 7pm and it just didn't seem to help. I woke up ok today. I did find last time having small meals helped with the nausea so I'll continue with that this time and also drinking cold water.
I also had oral thrush. It did go away after a couple of days, my oncologist has prescribed some drops. I also experienced stinging when I peed, I was worried I was getting a urine infection but the oncologist said its from the chemo so she's also prescribed Ural to take.
I will give Biotene a try if I find my mouth dry. Thank you for your suggestions. - I've also had really bad nausea and have tried a plethora of drugs. During AC we found admitting me to hospital for the night after treatment for fluids helped a lot along with getting on top of heart burn. I also made myself eat as I found if I let myself get hungry I'd feel even more sick.Once that was generally under control I just had to deal with the other side effects like my mouth and throat. Dry mouth and throat, ulcers and oral thrush. The worst. I stopped with the salt water as found it was making me more dry, and the dryness seemed to trigger the ulcers and thrush (for me). Nilstat for oral thrush and Biotene mouthwash for the dryness. Using it a lot during the day and night.Also, drinking a heap of water helps both nausea and the mouth issues. Even when feeling sick and the throat was really sore, I'd make myself drink.Really hope you've been able to find a good balance to manage your side effects since your first round. Good luck with it all!
- @Lisa1407 i didn't know that it could be administered through an IV. I will ask my oncologist before my next AC treatment. I will do anything to never go through that again, I never had any nausea whilst pregnant and you had 27 weeks!! 💪
@Blossom1961 thanks for the suggestion I will definitely be trying the aloe vera juice!
@Abbydog i will definitely be speaking to my oncologist before my next treatment - @Rlara02 you can also have Ondansetron administered IV, so perhaps this is an option before you have your chemo. I have yet to have IV chemo (I have MBC so am working my way through the oral drugs) but was prescribed IV ondansetron when I was pregnant with my second child and couldn't keep anything down for the first 27 weeks. It worked a treat. I am sure you will be able to find something that helps, you just need to keep letting the doctors and nurses know that a you are still suffering from nausea. xxx
- Get on top of that ulcer real quick. Salt water didn't work for me either, but aloe vera juice swished around and gargled worked a treat (three times daily) I did this even after the ulcers were gone whilst I was having the AC.
- Dear Rlara02,
My, you certainly have had a rough start.
You have been very unlucky.
I had EC (Epirubicin and cyclophosphamide) not AC. I believe that they are similar.
With my Chemo sessions , I was given Intravenous Dexamethasone and a capsule of Akynzeo (netupitant/palonosetron) and oral Dexamethasone for 2 days after. These were all given to prevent and control early nausea with my chemo.
I did not have nausea at all, but not what you want to hear now.
I don't know if these are standard treatments, or if you did receive these, or did not.
Certainly discuss your nausea and vomiting with your Oncologist. Perhaps your breast care nurse if you have one too.
You could phone your Chemo suite and ask the Nurses there for an opinion.
Dehyrdration can be dangerous, if severe go to hospital. Immediately tell them you are on chemo and wear a mask.
So that hopefully you would be separated from other patients. (risk of infection to you)
There are quite a few anti-nausea drugs.
Ondanetron comes as a dissolving tablet, no need for a drink, until of course after it works.
Definitely get medical advice.
I hope that you feel better soon, and get advice at least prior to your next Chemo.
Thinking of you, keep in touch. - Thank you for your replies and suggestions. I went and had my Neulasta injection today so I told the nurses all about my side affects and they spoke to my oncologist and they gave me Ondansetron. Its just a tablet and not a wafer though. As I still had a bit of an upset stomach I took on my way home, feel much better. But I think I'm getting a lovely little ulcer at the back of my mouth😖 ive been doing the salty water. Hopefully it will settle soon.
All this does suck. Cancer sucks. I try to tell myself the same thing. Not looking forward to the next AC or anything else that will follow. Its a long battle.
