I have just had my second dose of chemo for breast cancer and am struggling with nausea. It has been a week since the chemo and still I am struggling to get out of bed or off the couch. I have anti nausea drugs for three days, the day of chemo and two after that and for the first two they work OK, but after that it all turns to custard.
I am used to being a healthy and fit 50 year old but this nausea is over whelming.
Do you have any suggestions please that will help me overcome this and help me resume a normal life without withdrawing from the treatment which is what I am currently considering?
Nausea
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Re: Nausea
by julie on Thu May 20, 2010 5:35 pm
Hi Sue
I'm sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. Nausea is one of the most difficult side-effects to cope with. Firstly, important to check you don't have an infection - eg tummy bug etc and secondly have you talked to your doctor or nurse at your cancer treatment centre about how you are feeling? I presume you've had anti-nausea medication to take? There are different types so if what you are having isn't doing the trick your doctor can prescribe a different drug.
Once you've checked all these things out, some general tips to try include taking some ginger eg ginger biscuit or ginger ale as this can settle nausea. Having frequent snacks rather than 3 meals a day may help - some people find dry crackers are helpful (if you feel sick when you wake in the morning have a dry biscuit by your bed and try to eat this before you get up). Avoid fried or fatty foods and accept any offers of pre-prepared foods as being around cooking smells can make nausea worse
Feeling very tired (fatigue) is also hard and is a common side effect of many cancer treatments. Having some gentle exercise can help counteract fatigue - a short walk regularly can really help tiredness and lift your mood as well. Something to take your mind off how you're feeling can be be effective - eg a good book/magazine or relaxing music, a comedy on TV or DVD.
Try not to feel guilty about not doing what you usually do, eg housework etc. Keep things simple - this is the time to save your energy for you and take up offers of help with shopping, cooking etc.
So in summary first contact your treatment team for advice, then try some of the tips above. Hopefully some people will reply who've been through this too with tips from their experience. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Best wishes
Julie, Cancer Information Nurse
I'm sorry to hear you are having such a rough time. Nausea is one of the most difficult side-effects to cope with. Firstly, important to check you don't have an infection - eg tummy bug etc and secondly have you talked to your doctor or nurse at your cancer treatment centre about how you are feeling? I presume you've had anti-nausea medication to take? There are different types so if what you are having isn't doing the trick your doctor can prescribe a different drug.
Once you've checked all these things out, some general tips to try include taking some ginger eg ginger biscuit or ginger ale as this can settle nausea. Having frequent snacks rather than 3 meals a day may help - some people find dry crackers are helpful (if you feel sick when you wake in the morning have a dry biscuit by your bed and try to eat this before you get up). Avoid fried or fatty foods and accept any offers of pre-prepared foods as being around cooking smells can make nausea worse
Feeling very tired (fatigue) is also hard and is a common side effect of many cancer treatments. Having some gentle exercise can help counteract fatigue - a short walk regularly can really help tiredness and lift your mood as well. Something to take your mind off how you're feeling can be be effective - eg a good book/magazine or relaxing music, a comedy on TV or DVD.
Try not to feel guilty about not doing what you usually do, eg housework etc. Keep things simple - this is the time to save your energy for you and take up offers of help with shopping, cooking etc.
So in summary first contact your treatment team for advice, then try some of the tips above. Hopefully some people will reply who've been through this too with tips from their experience. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Best wishes
Julie, Cancer Information Nurse
- julie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:31 am
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
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