Nausea from the solution used to flush a port

knowledgeforpower

I have a friend who has just finished 4 sessions of 3 different drugs and is now moving on to 8 sessoins of weekly Taxol.  The heparin/saline solution used to flush her port makes her extremely nauseated.  She is considering asking her oncologist to remove the port and do the Taxol as an IV.  She has tried drinking a beverage and sucking a hard candy, that does not help.  She was extremely nauseted after a flush on Tuesday.  Just anticipating the flush makes her feel nauseated. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so what helped you?  Thanks, my friend will be most appreciative of any advice.

sewingnut

Chewing fresh gum while they were injecting helped me.

bettysgirl

I have a strong stomach but I can see how it would bother someone. It seems to create a smell to the senses. It did not hurt but that perception of the smell was not plesant. Hopefully someone can advise a helpful solution.

purplelilacs

I read to hold your nose during the flush.   I did this along with the mint and had no taste/smell even though a few days earlier I had tasted the saline as they were flushing my IV pre-port surgery without nose-holding/mint.  So the lack of smell/taste in my mouth was non-existent which might help your friend?

JustBeth

I had the same exact problem and just before my port flush I would chew a couple pieces of strong flavored gum. It really helped. During the Taxol treatments I was much less nauseated to begin with so each week got a little easier.

Beth