Side effects from 1st chemo

cjjhero · 03-25-2014, 05:25 PM

My sister has 2B stage HER2 positive cancer patient. She had her first round out of 6 TCH chemotherapy sessions.
She will have a double mastectomy and reconstruction after chemo.

My sister is having bone pain, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea. She says that the nausea is the worst. Her doctor gave her a prescription to help the nausea.

My other sister who is a nurse aide is staying with her right now. My nurse aide sister says that one with cancer isn't drinking or eating very much. She's sleeping alot.

What can we do to help her? She just saw her doctor yesterday. He said that within a few days that the side effects will lessen and this is common. He also told us that her chemotherapy drug doses will also go down.

It's just hard to see a close loved one in pain.

Thanks for any help.

tricia keegan · 03-25-2014, 05:40 PM

Loss of appetite is normal and she needs to just eat what she wants little and often, the anti nausea meds may need changing if she's vomiting, if she takes them as directed she should just feel queasy rather than vomit but its easier to prevent than stop once it begins.

The bone pain is normal and should ease too and shouldn't be anything too awful, she can ask her Onc for painkillers for this too, if she listens to her body and needs to sleep thats good as it will help her body heal.

suzan w · 03-25-2014, 07:18 PM

I took anti nausea meds for 3 days prior to chemo...as well as after

Nurse4u2day · 03-25-2014, 09:20 PM

I use to cry when it got to the point that I couldn't eat or drink , simply because I new that it would just make me weaker. So I turned to boiled eggs( organic) and drank lots of ensures with a straw( got fluids and high calories) for bone pain I took Norco 10/325 . Routinely took anti nausea Meds for 3 days after chemo. I never vomited as I kept ahead of the sickness . Took anti nausea Meds even when I wasn't feeling nauseated for those 3 days. All the side effects your sister is having I had as well. Push fluid. Water with a little Gatorade mixed in it. V8 juice but if you can do the ensure what a great fluid and meal replacement . I pored it in a cup and drank with a straw , found it easier to drink .
I also bought a small cheap shower chair for the days when I was weak but needed a shower . Very good luck. The women here have been thru a lot of this and have great things that have worked for them. I'm still going thru chemo and learning what works and what doesn't . Your sister and your family will do the same.

BonnieR · 03-25-2014, 10:34 PM

Your sister is lucky to have you both!
You've gotten good advice. Small frequent high protein feedings are best. Cheese, yogurt, milk shakes. Really, whatever she craves or can tolerate
Her side effects are common ones ( but still nasty!)and should be treated with meds as has been mentioned. Drinking with a straw might make it easier to get nourishment
She'll get through it with your help and we will be here to answer questions
I remember it just felt good to be able to complain to someone. I didn't expect them to fix it. Just listen and honor my pain
Keep the faith

Deltadiva · 03-25-2014, 10:39 PM

You're getting good advice from the brave folks here. I heartily agree: take the anti nausea and pain drugs! This is too hard and we get too tired and weak otherwise. Tell her to eat what she when she can. I can't drink water (gut too raw?). I've "discovered" coconut water, an old reliable resource in the tropics for re-hydrating. I add a little apricot nectar (not acidic) for flavor. I am sorry you sister needs this treatment. She is lucky to have you two. Keep coming back for advice; we want to know how you guys are doing.

LeahM · 03-26-2014, 05:43 AM

Just chiming in to say that I had trouble eating and drinking while on chemo. I would go into the infusion center for a liter of fluids a week after chemo #4 5 and 6. Helped a whole lot.
Best
Leah

crb · 03-26-2014, 08:52 PM

I had some of the same symptoms the first time around. Didn't feel like eating for a few days and whenever I did, didn't taste right. Found a flavored green tea that was wonderful cold. Also tried to make smoothies with fruit or just eat some applesauce or yogurt.

That only lasted a few days after my first treatment, and surprisingly, only for about one day after my 2nd round. Have her also take Advil or an anti-inflammatory to help with the bone pain (hot showers felt good too!). Maybe check with oncologist to see if any ant-nausea meds were given with chemo. I got some in addition to having the prescription to take as needed afterwards.

Good luck and tell her to hang in there and rest ~she will feel better soon!

Aussie Girl · 03-26-2014, 11:39 PM

The medications that help stop nausea include Dexamethasone. Emend (aprepitant tablets or infusion), Aloxi (Palonosetron infusion gives 5 days of anti-nausea effect), Stemetil (Prochlorperazine), Maxolon (metaclopramide), Zofran and antihistamines. Different ones work for different people. You have to keep asking for better medication because they may start with the simpler cheaper medication before bringing out the big guns like Aloxi.

My oncologist says there is no reason anyone should be throwing up with chemo and if it happens more than one time, they ask you to ring straight away so they can give more treatment. Same for severe nausea that stops you drinking.

Sometimes an anti reflux drugs helps to reduce stomach irritation too.

Hydration is key. Some ladies need to get IV fluids in the first week, which help a lot. Keep in touch with the oncology unit. If she isn't able to drink a minimum of 2 litres of fluid a day (3 litres is better) and doesn't seem to be improving by now, she may need to see a doctor.

Good Luck

Aussie Girl