Struggling with nausea from EC

Going through breast cancer treatment Chemotherapy
1

Hi,

I’m finished round 3 of 4 rounds of EC (moving to paclitaxel soon) and. I’m doing a ‘dose dense’ programme, so every 2 weeks. The nausea feels quite overwhelming and is getting to me mentally - I don’t have a fever, but I feel feverish, in that everything kind of revolts me (colours, smells, textures), I feel mentally rattled and my energy levels are on the floor. Any tips to get through this better? I’m taking Metaclopromide. I feel like I need psychological tips for overriding the sense that everything is nauseating.
Thanks, J

2 Likes
2

I feel for you soo much, I have been there. I had 4 x docotaxel - followed by 4 dose dense EC. I tried so many anti-sickness that ‘usually’ work for others - but they didn’t for me. After my first EC I spent 5 days in bed, for two days being sick - couldn’t even stand the smell of food, I survived on ice lollies as drinking made me sick too. I lost 6 pounds in 5 days.

My oncologist then suggested olanzapine - it is an anti psychotic drug - but the off label use is for sickness in chemo patients. he said it is widely used in Europe for this purpose but not so much here…. It worked… and made the next 3 cycles so much more do-able.

sending love and support

x

2 Likes
3

Hey @jessy_p

I would contact your helpline about this.

A fellow patient in my chemo suite had this same issue, got her anti-sickness meds changed and it solved the problem.

Hope this helps! x

2 Likes
4

Thank you - appreciate you sharing! I’ll ask my oncologist about olanzaprine x

5

Thank you - yes, I was assuming this was normal, but hopefully there’s an alternative so that the next round will be less gruelling!

2 Likes
6

Hey sorry to hear you’re struggling! I had 3 rounds of EC and the 1st 2 I the metroclopermaride sorted the nausea but the last round it was like a constant “wishy washy” feeling in my stomach is the only way I can describe it :sweat_smile: so they prescribed omoperazole and it was like magic!! I took it for a few weeks and then come off it when I moved onto docetaxel and haven’t needed it again xxxx

3 Likes
7

I’ve not had chemo myself but have heard the travel sickness acupressure bands can help with chemo nausea too.

2 Likes
8

I haven’t read the whole thread but I’d suggest you ring the hotline. They can prescribe you additional anti-sickness meds. I know I struggled with Docetaxel and bone pain and I asked for a reduction in dose, and I got it. Not sure if this is an option on EC but worth asking the question. xxxx

3 Likes
9

Hi @jessy_p

You have my sympathy, the nausea is horrible and debilitating.

Please call your hotline number; the oncologist will change your anti-nausea medications as they’re clearly not working for you.

They have standard protocols for changing meds when a patient gets breakthrough nausea on the most commonly used regime.

Best wishes :heart:

1 Like
10

Thanks everyone - I called the helpline and had my meds changed. Not sure why I hesitated yesterday, but thanks to advice here, I called in. Feel more positive…light at the end of the nausea tunnel :slight_smile:

5 Likes
11

Great to hear you called up - well done, because it is hard to advocate for yourself when you feel so bad - and brilliant that you got your meds changed. I had nausea on docetaxel and a drug called Levomepromazine (levo) helped me when the first drug they tried failed. It also gave me a great night’s sleep which frankly was worth taking for on its own! All the best for your remaining treatments xx

3 Likes
12

Hi, as well as trying different anti-sickness tablets, I found rinsing with Colgate Plax fresh mint mouthwash on a regular basis helped too with controlling nausea feeling.

1 Like
13

Great tip @pg92! I like to double dose on XL Smints myself and that new minty fresh taste certainly does help.