Niraparib appetite

[rosebine]

Been on Niraparib for 6 weeks now, and alternate between feeling queasy every day or being ravenously hungry and not able to satisfy the hunger pains. Tried two anti sick meds, no use, except for terrible constipation. Anyone else had this problem, and did it resolve itself. I dont want to have to come off the PARP but it is making everyday life quite miserable.

Wondering whether a dose reduction might help, but cant quite understand the "low dose just as effective" statements, why do they put you on a high dose then if its the same result?

[Realistic]

I really dont know, but its not nice having bowel problems l have too take them every day or l just dont go. And makes you feel sluggish, but sounds like the treatment too strong for you ,ring you consultants secretary there usually excellent at finding out for you or your team you really need advice its not nice not feeling well.My friend who as bowel cancer had bad side effects and they cut her tablet dose and was fine with it good luck. Sending hugs SheilaFxxx

[Journeytime]

Hi. I struggled the first few weeks to the point of not wanting to take them. Had a good chat to the oncologist and had the dosage reduced. 6 months on and it’s ok most of the time. Occasional feeling of nausea in the mornings but found a small breakfast and a ginger tea helps. Also take a pill to stop the constipation each day and no more problems. It takes a while for your body to get used to it but hopefully these side effects will reduce or even stop in time. Do discuss this with your oncologist as sometimes you just need a lower dose. Don’t get despondent as I’m sure they’ll get the balance right for you. Take care. Chris

[Lyndy]

Hi Rosebine I can’t help you with the specific problem but I can bear witness to it getting easier over time. My nausea lasted about 6 weeks then went and came back but now gone. I was fatigued over the summer but suddenly a couple of weeks ago my mojo came back! Decided to repaint the house (def a symptom of increased energy)!

So I would suggest you try to keep going for a little longer if you can. I have been on Olaparib for 5 months now xx

[Cumbrianlass5]

I sympathise with you. Nausea is really awful. I find nibbling a Rich Tea biscuit helps best of anything. My onocologist says if you come off a parp you can never be given another by NHS. So I understand you not wanting to come off it but also understand how it makes life miserable. I have been on niraparib since March and for months the only bad side effect has been awful insomnia. It has increased my appetite a lot but that did not worry me, and I also had constipation but onc sent me ducusate sodium, 200mg twice daily, (you can buy it as DulcoEase) and I have been taking that since April.

However, this last three or four weeks I have also been nauseous, very tired, in pain with a distended stomach, anxious and unsettled and having both constipation and diarhhea in the same day!

Oncologist said last week that none of these are caused by progression of the cancer and I have no ascities, although he would not say whether they were side effects of the drug. My GP says my bowel is backed up and that this is common after chemo.

I am going to the toilet regularly but he says my upper intestine is not clearing properly hence the swollen stomach and sickliness. He told me to take more dulcoease and also senakot. Cancer nurse has no advice and I have been asking for a call-back from onc since Monday but still heard nothing. Still in pain but nothing like as bad as at the weekend.

I cannot advise you but do understand your suffering. Make sure you keep your bowels moving as GP says constipation can make you nauseous. Hope things ease off for you and that you can keep taking nirarparib. I am stage 4 inoperable and it gives me some hope of holding this wretched disease at bay. Thinking of you x

[rosebine]

Just had a nurse led review,she was amazed that Im always hungry, usually its the opposite!Shes suggested I soldier on for another month to see if side effects subside.I told her I was trying to resist eating the table I was so ravenous !!

[delia2]

Hi. I don’t know why they’re not reducing the dose. I’m on half the full dose of Olaparib. I asked my onc about the doses and she said big pharma has no motivation to do trials on lower doses. Also are you taking an acid reducer? I find that acid reflux can feel like hunger pangs. Xx

[rosebine in reply to delia2]

The nurse said she couldnt make the decision I had to see the oncologist. Got an appointment for November, Ive been taking Rennies with no effect.

[Pianoplayer731021]

,Hi, I started on 200 mgs. of niraparib, but they lowered my dose to 100, because of my blood results. I don’t feel nauseous and my appetite is really good. I just have constipation problems, so I drink water more and keep up the fiber in my diet. I have other side effects, but my appetite remains well. I am BRCA negative, but this drug seems to be working on holding the cancer back. My last few scans looked ok . Hope you can talk to the nurse and get things sorted out. Donna U.S.