Hi,
I am sending this on behalf of my Mum. She has been feeling sick - she has been taking Ondansetron but it doesn’t seem to be working. Her last chemo was 3 weeks ago - 3rd session next Wed (was delayed by a week) Anyone else tried Ondansetron or know of a better drug to try? Should she be feeling sick 3 weeks after her last chemo? Thanks again, Julie
Hi there, your Mum needs to speak to her GP or the Chemo team. There are many different anti-sickness drugs out there. I had to try a few to find the right one for me. Also sometimes when that one was not working for some reason one of the others would. Keep trying there is one that will work for her.
Best wishes
Nonny
Hi,
I had ondestron (in 2005) but I had a severe allergic reaction to it the 3rd or 4th time it was used so they used alternatives (unfortuately as it was so long ago…chemo brain etc I can’t remember what they used).
Also as my sickness was so severe (vomiting every few minutes, being hospitalised etc) they also decided to fit me with a syringe driver which would administer anti sickness medication the day before chemo as well as during and after. I feel that this helped. This decision was made by my oncologist in addition with pallative care team in the hospital.
Hope this info helps.
Hi
I was given a drug called Emend (I think) after suffering with nausea. This is a tablet I had to take 30 mins before chemo and for the following 2 days. I also found not taking the ondestron didn’t make me feel any worse (if anything I felt better not taking it) but do get your mum to speak to the oncologist as there are so many diff ones available. I also had a drug that while being administered through the drip would give me a temporary prickly feeling down below!
It may help the oncologist (and your mum)if she writes down how she feels each day after treatment.
katy
I was given Emend and Zofran for 3 days, and then Motillum, which is relatively weak, which I could take as needed.
Wasn’t actually sick but very nauseaous, which came in waves. I found eating a small amount when the wave had passed kept them at bay for longer.
Motillum is used for travel sickness I think and can be taken about 8 times a day as necessary, if my memory serves me. Has Your mother tried anything like that in addition to Ondansetron? I’m not familiar with Ondansetron so have no idea of it’s strength.
Speaking to the Oncologist is a good idea. I hope she finds the right drug.
Macc
Hi there
I was very sick and then nauseous following my first type of chemo. It was only through trying out different combinations and types of anti sickness medication that I managed to get some relief.
As I couldn’t stop vomiting from 4 hours post chemo I was given levomepromazine which does knock you out but was very effective. I took that just before my chemo was administered and for a couple of days. I also took motilium, usually for about 15 or more days of the cycle gradually reducing. Others that may help include maxalon and prochloperazine. As someone else has suggested keeping a diary is good as some anti sickness are particularly for a delayed reaction and some for immediate reactions to chemo and others for longer term nausea.
If you become dehydrated it can make you feel nauseous too so it’s good to find drinks that your mum can tolerate. I went off all my usual drinks and couldn’t touch tap water. I preferred anything fizzy and then later in the cycle had green tea.
Small frequent snacks to ensure that blood sugar doesn’t drop too is good. I had things like an oatcake and a couple of dates for example.
Talk to the Oncologist and really press upon him/her how bad it is. I found the chemo nurses very helpful too. They administered my anti sickness meds 20 minutes before the chemo to give it time to work and then gave me extra IV fluids as I found I couldn’t drink much the night of the chemo. This really helped.
Hope very much that your Mum can find something that works.
best wishes
Elinda x