New anti nausea med recommendation - 1288487

Hi jwelford,

I'm sorry your mom isn't feeling well. There are other options that may be a better choice. Emend is an anti emetic given through IV during chemo that helps most people during the first few days post infusion. Steroids are also given with emend during infusion to help with nausea for many the steroids give a feeling of wellness so much so that sometimes people have to pace themselves so not to over indulge (my husband found that to be a welcome problem).

Other drugs mentioned in these 2 blog posts are helpful if nausea is still a problem past emend's 2 or so day of effectiveness. the “-trons” and others in the procloroperazine group.

My husband, his doctor, nurses and I found a regimen that incorporated most all those groups to keep him on a even keel especially while on a platinum doublet regimen.

These 2 posts are a must read in this situation,
http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/files/2012/08/Dr.-Harman-Nause…

http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/2009/05/19/cinv/

I hope your mom is feeling better soon,
Janine

Unfortunately Emend is not covered by many insurance's. Mine wouldn't cover it or IV aloxi, which worked well for me the first time around. I never needed the pills at home with aloxi. But my second go round, I had IV Zofran, which mostly worked but did suffer slight nausea and took the compazine and zofran pills at home.
It's usually a combination that you'd start taking the day after chemo and not wait until nausea strikes.
Take care, Judy

Judy, I wonder what anti emetics your received during infusion. When Don first started treatment in late 09 he was prescribed emend in pill form for the day after but insurance didn't pay and was wildly expensive. But at some point in the 3 years between 09 and 12 emend was beginning to be used in a different IV form and amount that steadied nausea during infusion and a couple of days past. I'll ask Dr. Harman to comment on common drugs used and insurance issues. If she is available we should hear back at the beginning to the week.

Another thought jwelford, if your mom is ever prescribed a drug that insurance wont pay for it's always worth trying the pharma company to see if they have a grant system to help. As I recall a nurse or perhaps the financial adviser at the cancer center gave me a certificate to pay for the emend during Don's treatment. But now it's given at the cancer center and is added to the chemo bill. That's just my experience everyone's is different but know to always ask for help whether financial or for the well being of your mom.

Janine

I had IV aloxi the first time around and then IV Zofran the second. Emend was never a consideration as my insurance either time would not pay for it. And the second time around, Medicare would not pay for IV aloxi.
They prescribed Emend pills for my mother and they were $100 per pill and Medicaid wouldn't pay for it. So they had to prescribe her something else. Didn't matter as she never got to take them.
Take care, Judy

So sorry jwelford but I've just sent email to request comment.