I have been very sick on FEC - FEC 1 and 2 were very bad, I was put on Nozinan (levemopromazine) for FEC 3, 4 and 5, it worked well for FEC 3, I was sick once on FEC 4 and was really sick on FEC 5 - had to be hospitalised and rehydrated. It was suggested that I might have a syringe driver - does anyone have experience of this and did it help? How do they work? The next FEC is 22nd March (it’s the last one and I know I should be grateful there’s only one more to go but after last time I am really scared.)
I know it’s not the same but I had EC and was ok on the first lot ( felt a bit queasy lateron )
But then I had 2 lot and I felt like I was gonna pass out right away felt sick , dizzy , and heart pumping . It was horrible I am also dreading my next lot now !!
caronx
Hi Irina
Our nurses on the helpline or the Ask the Nurse email service will be able to talk to you about how a syringe driver works, the helpline is open again tomorrow at 9-5 on 0808 800 6000 and the Ask the Nurse service is available via the homepage.
Best wishes
Lucy
Hi i had an anti sickness syringe driver, district nurse comes round day before hucks you up, then comes daily to change it, i had a problem being allergic to some of the dressings they used, but not being sick, or only being sick once after chemo made it worth it.
anna x
Irina
The syringe drivers are very portable and just sit in a little bag which you can carry round your neck
Hope it works for you
S
xxx
Thanks,
My oncologist suggested a syringe driver of Nozinan, does anyone know why they work better than tablets? (I am going to ring the nurse on the helpline tomorrow to ask.)
Caron, my 2nd and 5th FECs have been the worst due to sickness. Ihope this one goes better for you,
Irina x
Irnia, syringe driver will work better than tablets as it the drugs are delivered in a measured dose to the sub cutaneous tissue and well absorbed rather than going into your stomach where they may not be absorbed or may be thrown up! The syringe driver can be used over a fairly long period of time (weeks/months) but is often used for 3-4 days to break the cycle of nausea/vomiting and then your body is able to absorb oral medication again
Syringe drivers are battery run and the DN will fill the syringe with the prescribed medication every 24 hours, it will be delivered via a thin line, into a small "butterfly’ Cannula, which sit under the skin and is covered by a transparent dressing.
Nozinan ( levomepromazine) is often used for nausea/vomiting in a driver as it is a “wide spectrum” anti sickness drug having action on all the main causes of nausea. It can have a sedative effect at higher doses ( above 12.5mg/24hours) so if this a problem speak to your doctor/nurse.
I’m sure the helpline nurses will be able to give you loads more info.
hope this is useful
Gill ( nurse, not working at present)
Gill, thanks very much for that information,
I had oral Nozinan for FEC 3 and wasn’t sick, for FEC 4 and was only sick once, but was then very sick on FEC 5 even with the Nozinan, so after reading your post I am going to ask for the syringe driver for the first few days, hopefully it will work better than the oral tablets as I really don’t think I can face an experience like FEC 5 again,
Irina
Glad to see you might opt for this Irina. I could tell you about it too if you want to ring but sounds like you have the info you need with Gill’s excellent explanation. Sure this will help you. Tanya x
Tanya, did you have a syringe driver too?
Irina x