Nausea and the Big Chop

Hello sorry to hear of your nausea and all that goes with it.  Fortunately I've seemed to manage the nausea first 4 days I take anti nausea medication even if it's not that bad.  I found a hint I use after 1st chemo I take the steroids very early around 5 am that way with the help of Ativan (Valium plus anti aniexty - and I've been told that helps with the nausea) at bedtime I now manage to sleep through for 7 hours don't wait as soon as you can go to your gp or oncologist you can change your medication different things work for different people.  Congratulations on the hair that was so traumatic for me having a great support network really helps - hope you feel better soon.  Also you don't mention yr chemo schedule I'm on 4 ACs (red devil) then wkly 3 months taxol 2 ACs to go before taxol a lot of people say taxol is not as bad ( hope so) best wishes 

Hi Lunanoire

I'm also on round 1 of chemo.  First one on 17th September - 5 days of feeling horrid.  Lost my sense of taste the day I had the chemo. I did find that eating small amounts of food during day did help with nausea. But finding something to eat that you really feel like eating is the problem!  I'm now in the space of feeling really good and am enjoying this short space of time till my next treatment.  I've certainly learnt some stuff and will hopefully be more prepared for second round of chemo on 8th October.  I too have cut my hair off into bob - I'm even going to look at getting a wig this week.  Stay strong, as my oncologist nurse told me, this is a journey and we will get thru it.  I wish you all the best for the next couple of months. 

Definitely try more/ different anti-nausea drugs if you can. Don't try and tough it out.

i increased my Dex days from 2 to 3 post chemo. Plus I had pramid, Ondansetron, plus lorazepam for break out nausea. Not recommending these. Just saying you CAN step up your anti nausea a lot, but you need to see the doctor straight away. Don't wait.

I also could have started some drugs PRE chemo day to stop the nausea before it starts.

also I worked out (after way too long) part of my problem was heart burn. So I took drugs for THAT too.

finally I found audiobooks and ear plugs were great for the sleepless nights.

best of luck

L

Hi Lunanoire,

 I am in total agreement chemo sucks I start my 3rd round of 6 rounds on the 5/10 and the 1st is always the worst because you don't know what side effects you'll get but if I have any problems I can just call my oncologist or the chemo nurses don't wait if you are having bad side effects talk to someone in your medical team or your GP, the chemo nurses are great as they can email your side effects to your oncologist but don't wait, and remember we are all here for you, just something I did that made the hair loss easier, I too had long hair halfway down my back, I got my husband to cut my hair into a bob also but then I had my hair cut again by a hairdresser as I thought it would be too hard once my hair starts to fall out, about a week and a half after starting chemo I got my husband to shave my head and I am glad I did as when it came out it wasn't a lot and I found it less traumatic, I am okay with it now but we are all here for you and I think you are inspirational and a strong person and you will only get stronger along this journey just take one day at a time and 1 treatment at a time you don't realise just how strong you are I didn't but I do now sending you a cuddle and a smile and lots of positive vibes Anita xx????????

I think its unanimous chemo sucks,especially the first one. I went to see my GP after the first and  he prescribed some alternative anti nausea meds whiched worked better than the ones i`d been given. For subsequent treatments my onc gave me scripts for the anti nausea meds that worked. Just keep them informed and they have plenty to prescribe to help. Take care and i hope you feel better soon. Hugs, Anne

A friend of mine donated her hair. She got onto a site something to do with Pantene. Don't know the name of the site, hope that helps, Trace ????

Hi Lunanoire, you have every right to request another appointment to get your medication right. Don't do it on your own. This is all about you. I hope you can sort it out.  Good luck.

I don't see my onco doctor until Monday week however I will be popping into the hospital to see a friend Tuesday so I might see if the pharmacist or a nurse is able to advise me of what else I can take- the chemist gave me some other drugs but I am not sure whether to take them after I have finished my Metoclopramid- why they only gave me 25 tablets is beyond me...

I am also looking for somewhere to donate my hair as I hope someone might be able to make a wig or a hair piece out of it.

Hi Lunanoire, chemo does suck. The insomnia is sometimes due to the cortisone / dexamethasone. That 2am sit on the couch, so you don't wake anyone up is awful. Have a talk to your oncologist, as he may be able to change your treatment so that it is manageable. The photos of the big chop are awesome, lovely to have those special friends around you to support you along the way. Hope you're feeling better soon, Trace ??????