In addition to treatment with antiemetics before chemotherapy, many medications -- including those mentioned above -- are available to help control vomiting and nausea on an ongoing basis. Keep in mind that if the first medication the doctor tries isn't effective it doesn't mean another one won't work. Every patient's response is individual, and finding a solution is often a process of trial and error.
Likewise, one medication may work for a while and then mysteriously lose its effectiveness. The doctor has an arsenal of medications to chose from, so don't hesitate to call and request a switch.
Another option is to combine drug-based antinausea treatment with alternative approaches. In recent years, many cancer patients have found that simultaneous treatment by an herbalist specializing in Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) can make a big difference in reducing nausea and vomiting and strengthening the body to withstand chemotherapy.
With the recent publication of a study in the Annals of Oncology showing a significant reduction in nausea among patients treated with CHM, many leading cancer centers are starting to incorporate this alternative treatment.
If this approach sounds appealing, ask the doctor about additional treatment by a CHM practitioner or look for a clinic specializing in such a program, which can coordinate communication between the CHM specialist and his doctor.
Many cancer patients have found that smoking marijuana reduces nausea and stimulates appetite. It's currently legal in eight states for this specific purpose, although there are conflicts between national and state laws, and the issue is complex. For more information, contact the National Organization for Reform of Marijuana Laws.
costipation. i will make sure ..... i try not to get constipation. if i have to take laxativies if necessary. t y
Dear anon, my dad had horrible nausea during his cancer treatment as well. What worked well for us when he was really having difficulty was smoothies; we'd make them super nutritious with protein powder, yogurt, etc and eventually when we were trying to help him keep weight on we'd use ice cream too. Good luck, I'll be thinking about you!
p.s. my dad is also went through cancer treatments (prior to the vertigo) and was only able to eat crackers and boost during that time.
Still looking for things my dad can eat... He has been suffering from BPPV (vertigo) for almost 6 weeks and has been so nauseaus he hadn't been able to keep much food down. After 10 days in the hospital and IV's, we finally brought him home. The ONLY thing he has been able to eat is oatmeal - we have been fortifying it with quinoa and hemp seeds and organic maple syrup. Maybe more nutritious than crackers. I will try the distraction techniques as well. Thanks!
Dear Destanme, thanks for your information, I do agree that Chinese medicine can be enormously helpful to people going through chemo. When my father was being treated with chemo and radiation for esophageal cancer, we used Chinese medicine, and it did strengthen his digestive system, improve his appetite, and help him tolerate the harsh treatments.
Hugs Destanme
I treat patients who are under going Chemo treatments with Chinese Medicine. Emotions often cause upset stomach as often seen in children who vomit when emotionally upset or people who eat (or don't eat) when stressed out. In Chinese Medicine this is known as Liver invading Spleen/Stomach. By calming the emotions you can calm the stomach. Another reason for nausea is that the patient is intentionally being poisoned to kill off cancer. The body naturally wants to expel these toxins; vomiting is a way in which the body can void itself of toxins (food poisoning, etc). We know that they cannot vomit away the chemo but the body is trying what it knows. Before chemo begins you can strengthen the digestive system so that it is less easily offended. After chemo you can assist the body in voiding the toxins, which are no longer needed therapeutically. I highly recommend combined Chinese Medical treatments WITH chemotherapy to offset side effects and allow patients to continue their treatments.
It helped me identify triggers that I didn't recognize that have been affecting me.
thanks very much very helpful for my sister in law with cancer of the bowel. You answered some great questions so far a great site for me to copy for my sister inlaw with no computer at age 64 Ron
Great articles for chemo. and stomah pain
My mother has stage 3 breast cancer and she has gone through chemo and radiation and I have to say, she did not once have any nausea. I can't, right this minute, say what treatment was used, but thank goodness she did not experience that! The appetite was not real good, but no matter what she ate she kept it down. Her oncologist, Dr. Soniwalla, was a God send and he told us the breakthroughs made it possible to have the chemo and not the nausea and he was right.
Really helped me understand what my father could be going through.