Soooo sick after chemo

Hi Shaz,

Glad to hear that you're feeling a little better this afternoon. Having an allergy to some anti-emetics could complicate things but remember to contact your drs early on so they can adjust the anti nausea pills.  I've been encouraged by the oncology team who emphasise the importance of not waiting and suffering til the next round of chemo but to see them early to make any changes to your nausea pills.  

Big hugs,

Karen xx

Thank-you all for your encouraging words. One thing I did forget to mention is an allergy to Maxalon and Stemitil. 

I've used the ondansetron along with half a Lorazapam. 

Today I'm certainly feeling better the nausea is still there but not nearly as much.

Like you, Karen...I just thought it was something that we had to deal with.

 Warm regards Shaz xxx

Hi Quest, I am hoping you are feeling much better today..  Now before I tell you this..  please dont worry, I am a side effect "queen" and chemo and I are arch enemies!!!  and no, the vast majority of people do not react like me..  but I am surprised that the onc team said people do not usually react to AC. I have known quite a few ladies who suffer the issues you are describing.  The anti nauseas were tweeked by the Onc until a balance could be found so they could keep functioning with minimal issues.  The bonus is that there are so many anti nausea drugs out there now that they should be able to sort you out pretty quickly.  There may always be some initial nausea after each dose but continue to speak to your team and tweak those meds..

When had AC and was a guest of the hospital for upto a week after each dose..  (my record is 8 days)..  But thankfully, I am the exception to the rule..

sending you lots of nausea removing turtle HUGS xoxoxoxox

Hi Quest,

How you traveling beautiful?  You're having a rough time it sounds.  Great advice from the previous comments, especially regarding recording all your side effects so that the oncologists can adjust your anti-nausea meds. 

I'm on AC as well and just had my #2 dose last Tuesday (4 days ago).  I was given iv anti emetics and an oral tablet (emend - which lasts about 3 days) an hour before it was given.  At home I've been on steroids and maxalon (pramin), and now just maxalon. 

I did find, if it wasn't pouring with rain, that a walk in the morning would help me get to lunch time.  After lunch, I'd have to have a nap and before I knew it the day would be over! My sense of smell is so off.  Sipping water, ginger beer (light fizziness helps), jelly cups (if my kids don't get to them first).  I was very fortune the first time around and didn't have vomits although did retch a few times when smells got to me (laundry basket of all things?).  The nurses told me to keep the maxalon going more regularly this time so I don't struggle through the nausea, felt like I was constantly walking on egg shells.  I know I found the first round quite depressing because I thought I would be sick the whole time.  When the nausea finally lifted, days 9-10, I was extremely tired as that's when the blood counts are very low.  Fortunately, after that things did improve and in the week before chemo, I was feeling on the road to recovery for the next time.

This is so hard, I'm still wondering why cancer.  Never felt sick, but as the oncologist told me it's their treatment that makes us feel sick now! It will pass.

Take care,

Karen xx 

I had AC on the 9th. I have had morning sickness type nausea on and off ever since. No vomiting. It is day 8 now and I feel pretty normal.

meds: I had 3 days of Dex. Started on Pramin. Upgraded to Ondansetron (stopped day 4). I was given Lorazapam but never needed it.

what has helped: fresh air, walking, sipping water constantly. Not eating sugary fruit, ginger tea or coffee. I drink ginger beer now, and peppermint tea.

Not being so frightened is the big one for me. I fear the nausea and it makes me worse. So lots of TV watching to distract my mind.

so, no. I assume I'm "normal" and what you are experiencing totally sucks. Surely they have better drugs to help you? Hopefully next cycle they can adjust things so you don't have to go thru that again. 

I think I need a Lorazapam just reading your story. Got my fingers crossed for you!

Hi Quest,

I had 3 weekly TCH. I had the infusion on a Thursday and would be woosy, like vertigo, for a few days,  then on Sunday it would hit with avengence. I I spent 4 days on the toilet with a bucket in my lap. Nothing helped. On day 4 I went to A & E and was admitted for 5 days. I thought that's just how it was meant to be but apparently not.  They upped my cortisone substantially and for longer and gave me the ondansetron wafers to take. 2nd treatment I was again quite ill for 12 days,  although not as bad as the first round, so they swapped the carboplatin for cyclophosphomide. I still had to take the higher doses of cortisone for longer each round. I also had to inject myself with neulastin the day after treatments. 

Tell the staff every single side effect that you get as they will be able to change things to help. If you are really sick, don't think this is the way it is meant to be. If in doubt, call the hospital or go to A & E. I just looked at it as short term pain for long term gain. Don't get me wrong, it knocked me about physically and emotionally but you will get through it. I ate/ drank what ever I felt like, sometimes I would eat lemonade icy poles for a week as that's all I could stomach. Make sure you get plenty of rest and try to do little walks if you can. Stay away from sick people as you need to avoid an infection at all costs.   Drink copious amounts of water to flush your system. 

Good of luck with it all. Karen xox 

Hi Quest,  my first chemo was FEC, and it gave me nausea and dizziness for the first week. I was so tired from battling the side effects, that I couldn't wake for long the following weekend. Once I caught up on sleep, I gained my energy back. Talking with the oncology staff prior to my next treatment, I learned how to manage the side effects with medication, so my next one wasn't as hard to handle. I hope that this helps, Tracey B ??

Thanks Lindyloo. I've just updated my post...I'm on AC and yes I did have anti nausea drugs prior as well as drank heaps during chemo but still didn't help.    I was actually thinking of you and praying that you were not as sick as me. Take care.

So sorry to hear you are feeling poorly. What chemo are you on. I had my first chemo yesterday. I had TAC, given anti nausea drug which should last me three days but also given some to take home with me. I have been ok so far. I did however drink lots of fluids while having the chemo and the nurses says that helps to flush through anything. Wonder if that would have helped you. I don't know, everyone is different even if you are taking the same drugs. Hope that you are feeling better very soon. Xx