chemo question - 1258955

Significant nausea from cisplatin isn't uncommon, but it does sound like you're on the far end of the spectrum of tolerating it very poorly. That switch from cisplatin to carboplatin is exactly what almost any oncologist would favor. While it's possible that you could tolerate it nearly as poorly, that's quite unlikely -- carboplatin tends to be far better tolerated.

Good luck with the transition. I hope you find it much easier to manage.

-Dr. West

I see Dr. West has posted but I'll keep mine as is.

Oh Sandy, I'm so sorry you were so sick. It's easy to believe and it unfortunately still happens that some people get that sick. The first question I'd ask is are you doing everything you can do to mitigate the nausea and vomiting.
I think they are giving the full dose of emend, an anti-nausea (also called antiemetic) during IV infusions. 4 years ago when my husband had cis and etop part of the dose was given during infusion and then given in pill form for a day or 2 afterward.
Note that there are 2 types of antiemetic. One taken after feeling nauseous and another before. That's important. I found that it worked best if I woke my husband to take the antinausea about 30 minutes before he got up. It gave the pills time to work before he had to move.

Carbo will hopefully be easier for you to take. I will leave you with some great blog and video posts on the subject written by Dr. Harman the Director of Inpatient Palliative Care at Stanford University Hospital. I'm sure she will be happy to answer your questions if you have something specific or need clarification.

here's the link to at least some of these posts
http://cancergrace.org/search-results?q=symptom%20managetment%20nausea
and your insurance very well pay for this, http://cancergrace.org/lung/2007/11/25/acupuncture-for-nv/

I look forward to hearing how well you do. Please don't hesitate to ask questions
Janine

Sandy,

In a study performed at the University of California-San Diego Moores Cancer Center, the observed percentage of such reactions was 1.1%. http://www.jcancer.org/v02p0153.htm

For what it's worth, my wife had 4 infusions of carboplatin (in combination with alimta) and suffered neither severe nausea nor an allergic reaction, and that seems pretty typical of most of the people who have posted here.

Good luck with your new regimen.

JimC
Forum moderator

Hi Sandy,

That's good to hear! When my wife had carbo/alimta first line, her nausea set in a couple days after infusion. Be sure to stay in close contact with her oncologist’s staff so they can help with your symptoms. Taking your anti-nausea meds before it sets in, by taking them on a pre-determined schedule, can help. Eating small snacks frequently rather than large meals is good. And we found that taking walks helped a lot. Her nausea faded after just a couple days, and it was never severe.

JimC
Forum moderator

I'm glad you're doing so well. It's likely you'll continue to feel well, since people tend to have the hardest time in the first few days.

Good luck.

-Dr. West