My mom can't stop vomiting

sugar12 · New User Joined: 10 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

I just wanted to know if anyone has some information on this. My mom is receiving both IP and IV chemo for stage III ovarian cancer. She just can't seem to get her vomiting under control. Is this normal for the first few courses?

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2403

Hi Sugar,

It shouldn't be normal, but it does happen. Please call the doctor's service and get a stronger anti-nausea prescription as soon as possible. Don't let her get too weak and dehydrated because it will make her feel worse. If need be, call the doctor and tell him you want to take her to the hospital if she's getting delirious or showing signs of dehydration.

Did she start taking her anti-nausea meds the night of the day of chemo?

It's very difficult to get ahead of this problem once it starts. It's easier to head it off by taking the meds, like clockwork, starting the evening of the infusion.

I hope you get some help for her and I'm so sorry she's feeling so poorly.

Hopefully others will check in and post to you too. We never had nausea issues or vomiting, so others may have other tips for you.

Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

sugar12 · New User Joined: 10 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

Thank you for your reply! This is her second course and she was not able to complete the first course because of how sick was was after the first 2 treatments of the course. (A course for her is 3 treatments) She went 8 days vomiting and was admitted to the hospital for 4 days, for treatment of her dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. When she returned from the hospital, she was on an anti-emetic cocktail that had things under control. She's currently on 3 different types. She actually felt much better and began eating again but now that she's had another two treatments of chemo (due for the last of the course on Monday) she's back to having trouble keeping things down. It's certainly better than it was, but it gags her to swallow her pills, at times. She also become nauseous when she sits up, at times. She actually did gain weight between when she left the hospital and when she returned for the first chemo treatment, but she's still nothing but bones. She's never been an overweight person, so she had nothing to lose in the beginning.
She can be very stubborn at times, so it can be difficult to get do something that she doesn't want to do. The other issue is that she's been an RN for over 25years, so you're not going to talk her into anything.
The good news is that even after the discontinued first course and the first part of this second one, her CA125 number is dropping significantly close to the normal range. I just worry that she won't be able to receive the chemo. I feel at this point that its a case of what will get to her first. This has all been more terrible then my worst dreams could imagine. I wish everyday that I could take this all on myself, so she could just have a rest for heaven's sake.
Thank you for hearing me and I send you my love and hope for your wellness.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2403

Hi again,

I know the path you walk as my mother had ovarian cancer too. She spent a lot of time hospitalized during treatment because of the vomiting, but that was 25 years ago.

I guess I thought those days were over for most as my husband sure sailed through with no problem. I have read somewhere that women tend to have more problems in this area then men.

It's just so frustrating to see them go through this hell. I'm so sorry. It isn't always this way -- thank God, but for those who have these issues, it's awful.

LOL -- an RN!! Oh -- they are some of the hardest nuts to crack as patients. Double hugs for you!

God bless and I hope she can continue because it sure sounds like she's getting a response with the numbers and weight gain.

Hugs,
PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

sugar12 · New User Joined: 10 Oct 2009 Posts: 4

Thank you - sending hugs for you and your husband. Wink

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