chemo sick-timing?

[vyokeefe]

I'm curious as to the timing of the effects of carboplatin/taxol. My mom just had her first infusion and I always thought the nausea came right away, then subsided in about a week--but others have told me it doesn't start for a couple of weeks. Just trying to get an idea of what to expect. Your experiences?

[Zannah]

I use to have my chemo on a Wednesday and the effects tended to kick in late afternoon on Friday. By Monday I was beginning to stop being nauseous. I also had really bad joint pain for two or three days each time. The tiredness lasted longer. It varies so much from person to person though.

I hope your mum has minimal side effects.

Best wishes,

Zannah x

[kazrazmataz]

I did not have any nausea whatsoever, my hospital give you strong anti sickness tablets day of chemo and tell you they are 'bed and breakfast' ie take one before bed and first thing. They give 3 days supply as standard so I took them first and second chemo but they do give you constipation so recommend your Mom takes Movicol satchets (available on prescription or to buy at a pharmacy) On third chemo I just took the anti sickness first night and next morning only and thought I'd take others if required but I did not need them. They are called Ondasetron available on prescription if she has not been given any. Hope no nausea everyone is different.

[baxbird]

I also was lucky enough not to have any problems with nausea. I was given anti sickness and did take those religiously. I'd been warned that if anything occur that it did tend to be about 48 hrs after the chemo and would last for a couple of days.

Good luck to your mum and you

Dawn xx

[Marianna]

My effects usually started about 2/3 days after. Stopped after a week. I had trouble finding a sickness med that stopped it. Was allergic to a couple. But once that was sorted I managed.

[citrine]

Mine used to kick in after one or two days. The first time was the worst and after that they have me stronger anti nausea drugs. It does seem to vary from person to person.

Mary xx

[AnneRT]

I had 10 bad days and 10 good days with carbo/taxol. The chemo kicked in after about a day and a half and I took to my bed for the next 4 days or so then was "walking wounded" for a couple of days then back to work for 2 weeks. The nausea was controllable but I did get constipated. Had a couple of enemas. My hospice sister helped me sort it out. Also had to take a lot of pain killers. The ascites stopped after the 2nd round. It's a journey you don't want to go on but you are on it in order to be healed as much as possible. You need to ask for strength to cope with the stresses of the journey. Look for the good things along the way and savour them.

[ninawithOC]

Definitely a delayed onset for me. I get my Carbo/ Taxol on Mondays and I only start feeling it on Wednesday. Abdominal pains from the Taxol are the worst. I'm taking Zantac regularly to prevent those episodes. I haven't had nausea since my first dose of chemo. I'm taking Ondansetron to prevent that and it seems to do the job.

I have started putting on weight, though and have already cut bad carbohydrates, sweets and fat from my diet. Really missing bread and butter

[Pami57]

I have had my third session of chemo on the 10th and I find I'm ok on the first two days then not so good on next five then I pick up quite well apart from the tiredness,so so far tolerating the Carbo/ taxol and I take Dexamethasone steroids two three times a day and Metoclopramide one three times a day for sickness but never need them after that,

I was on FEC for breast cancer before and I was a lot worse on that

Hopefully it will be kind to you,

Love Pam xx

[cerise]

Hi there

I managed to tolerate carbo/taxol quite well and sickness was minimal. I wore a seaband ( used for travel sickness/nausea) which seemed to help and had ginger with everything! It is all very individual. I also did lots of visualisation, hypnotherapy and reflexology, trying to see the chemo, not as a poison but an ally.

I'm not sure if any of this helps but I hope so. Many of us using this site have had recurrences too and are still here to tell the tale! My very best wishes to your Mom and your family x

[Mopsie]

Hi

My sickness started after my second lot of chemo in the early evening of the same day. The same after my third lot of chemo and then was brought under control with Ondansetron for the following 3 lots. Also lots of joint pain and tiredness.

Wishing you Mom luck.

Mopsie xx

[Tricia12]

I was extremely lucky with no feelings of sickness, maybe it was the anti-sickness tablets and the steroids they always prescribe for me after the infusion. Let's hope your Mum is one of the lucky ones.

Best wishes Pat

[Di16]

My first course of chemo was Carboplatin alone. I was prescribed Ondansetron for anti-sickness, which I took for the first few days after each cycle, & had no nausea or sickness. But I did take senokot for a week each time to deal with constipation. I am now on weekly Taxol. I was prescribed Domperidone for anti-sickness, but I don't take it, as I'm getting no nausea or sickness at all. But I realise not everyone is so fortunate.

Di

[Whippit]

If your mum's lucky she might not feel nauseous at all and may not encounter too many side-effects. How I wish it were the same for everyone. xxxx Hope all goes well with her treatment. x Annie