First chemo session and surprised I was sick so fast!

jmr3

I had my first chemo session on Friday andwas surprised I was so sick just a few hours later.  The anti nausea meds didn't seem to help and it lasted for a full day.  My treatment is FEC 100. Will it always be like this?

Racy

There should be meds to prevent sickness.  I was not on the same chemo as you but one of the nausea meds is Maxalon. I also took other standard meds that were prescribed such as steroids.  

I think it is quite uncommon to be sick if you receive meds.  You should report your sickness to your onc so that meds can be prescribed.

Moderators

We agree that you should certainly let your med. onc. know how sick you were so they can make adjustments. 

Thinking of you!

Letlet

I got sick as soon as I got home from my first x. I realizes later it was because I suffer from acid reflux and it made it worse. They would give me protonix at my subsequent txs. So the nausea started the next day, not like in 3 hrs...which made a huge difference.

flannelette

I had FEC too (don't know if FEC 100). Was fine except next morning woke with my mouth stuck together. Called & they said next time we'll give you steroids for a few days. They didn't give me steroids??? That was almost 5 years ago & of course they then gave me steroids as well as the antinausea meds....and it was great till the steroids ran out on day 2 or 3....but still, we all react differently. My mouth tasted like a perpetual garbage bin and I had to floss and brush 4- 5 times a day, in fact, every time I ate. which I did a lot of. Loathed the taste of water, though.

Make sure they know how you reacted so they smooth your way next time around. I'm sure meds for ses have improved hugely even in the past 5 years...

All the best! (I didn't even realize they are still doing FEC - everyone seems to be getting something else...) I think sometimes it depends on the country to some extent - for instance in Canada we tend to follow the Britsh model.

I'm pretty sure they can make it so you won't have that experience a second time - too yukky!

jmr3

Thanks for the replies.  I called the onc. Today but sat on hold.  I've been trying to eat small meals but feel almost like stomach cramps. Much better than the last two days though.  I'm going to call again tomorrow because I lost 6lbs and that worries me a little. 

Denise-G

My Onc told me that with today's medicines, there was no reason for me to ever be sick.  He said the nausea meds I was on during AC and Taxol were just the tip of the iceberg.

Keep on your Onc....

Letlet

I got prescribed Ativan for the nausea...worked like a charm.

cp418

Also ask about "Emend" which is given as 3 pills. One is taken prior to chemo and then next 2 days.  Ditto the use of Protonix for severe heart burn issues -- it really helped.

jmr3

Thanks ladies.  I was given both ativan and Emend and this next session went much smoother!  I made it through without virtually any naseua but got very depressed by day 5.  Took a couple of days but I feel like I'm on the upswing now.  I'm afraid of mouth sores now and my tongue is feeling funny/sore.  I'll keep rinsing and hope nothing more comes of it.

encyclias

jmr, I was given the Emend pills during my four A/C chemo infusions and never had even a second of nausea.  I am so appreciative to to my MO and to Merck Labs. 

Carol