Is vomiting more than 10 times a day still considered normal?
1 answer
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Last updated: Dec 06, 2010
Q
Hi. I would much appreciate it if you could answer me back. My mum,56, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last summer. She has been on antibiotics for 3 weeks. She is vomiting more then 10 times everyday which has caused her potassium level to be low. I feel hopeless and I don't know how to help her with her diet.
How normal is vomiting this long?
Thank you for your time and help.
A
Andrew Putnam, M.D. is the director of the Palliative Care Program at Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center and Georgetown University.
100% helpful
Vomiting 10 times a day may be normal for a very short time after a few types of medication but it is never OK. Certainly if it is still causing electrolyte imbalances such as a low potassium level after three weeks, there should be an effort to get her vomiting under better control. Her oncologist should be able to help but if not then consider a referral to a palliative care specialist. It does NOT need to end-of-life for a palliative care physician to be involved. First, though, check with her oncologist as there may be something else going on.
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