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Tummy problems during radiotherapy

Barbteeth profile image
36 Replies

Morning ladies

I had my two sessions last week and was ok..a bit of mild nausea

Yesterday however when I came home after session three I had some meusli banana and milk then threw up all morning...didn’t dare eat anything the rest of the day apart from some bread and a nectarine...I managed to take some cocodamol for my pain but just felt awful

I know this is a side effect of the radiotherapy and I accept that but just wondered if any of you girls had any tips?

I had some orange juice this morning....not bought..I juiced them myself and that has stayed down

I’m just feeling sorry for myself!!

Barb xx

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Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth
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36 Replies
Tam-56 profile image
Tam-56

Oh Barb I’m so sorry you are having ill effects from the radiotherapy. After the third week on Ibrance I feel nauseous in the morning so I make ginger tea. I slice fresh pealed ginger ... maybe 6 slices in a quart of water and simmer for 10 minutes let cool and store in frig. When I have my tea I mix in my ginger tea 50/50 ratio. At times I’ll mix my ginger tea with water or sparkling water to give it a bit of fiz. Settled my stomach right away. I hope you feel better soon. ❤️🐴🐴

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to Tam-56

Oh I’ll try that...I do love ginger

Hopefully when I finish the treatments it will subside

I’m not s whinger but this is horrible

Barb xx

in reply to Barbteeth

The Nausea from radiation was awful. Nothing made mine better but it does go away when you are done.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to

I was told the side effects would peak 2 weeks after then diminish...ugh

Barb XX

in reply to Barbteeth

Mine was during and then went away quickly. But my radiation was to my hip area and to my neck and base of my skull. I had both places done each visit. Yours would be in the abdomen which could affect you more 😞. The throat and mouth sores were awful for me which were burns I guess. They were almost two months healing.

Mindysooty profile image
Mindysooty

Hi Barb

Sorry to hear this. Try adding some fresh mint to the ginger tea too. Alternatively I have peppermint tea with chopped or sliced root ginger. Leave it to brew for a good 5-10 mins. I like it piping hot so boil it up again but you can have it cooler if you choose.

Hope it works and gives you some relief.

Just keep thinking about those horrible little cancer cells getting zapped away.

Take care. Xx

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to Mindysooty

I actually have some peppermint tea in the cupboard but I’m not keen on it...however adding ginger is a brilliant idea

I’ll do that and distract myself watching Wimbledon..I’m a tennis fan

And yes I’m visualising those b.....d cells dying fast

Barb xx

Mindysooty profile image
Mindysooty in reply to Barbteeth

Yeah try it, the ginger cancels some of the mintiness - if thats even a word lol.

The visualisation of cancer cells rolling about in pain and dying actually helps me to fast and not eat as much sweet stuff. Sounds a bit bonkers but hey, whatever works right? Lol. X

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to Mindysooty

I don’t think that’s bonkers at all...I’ll try it

Barb xx

LeeannW710 profile image
LeeannW710

Hi Barb!

Sorry to hear that your tummy is unsettled. These ladies seem to have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. :-) Hopefully, you get relief soon!! Hugs!!

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to LeeannW710

Thanks Leanne

Just juiced some veg with a big chunk of ginger and it was lovely...fingers crossed it’ll go away when I finish treatments although I’ve read that side effects are cumulative so may go on for longer....ugh

Barb xx

Wintervt profile image
Wintervt

Barb,

So sorry to hear you are having tummy trouble. When I can’t keep anything down, I drink kefir or make tea with fresh lemon and ginger. How many more sessions do you have?

xo Jade

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to Wintervt

Hi Jade

One more session on Friday thank goodness then I can restart Ibrance a week later

I will have been on letrazole only for 5 weeks and I expected to feel better off Ibrance but interestingly I feel no different so I think the joint pain must be from the letrazole...yet I’ve always been hasty to blame the Ibrance...just goes to show!!

All the best to you

Barb xx

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

Oh Barb,

So sorry you feel so horrible after treatment. Damn cancer.

I would try eating very bland foods... Like bananas rice etc.

Also, if you have xanax, that will help with nausea as will Zofran( which is a perscription.

Maybe call your onc for something.

Hope this passes quickly and you are back to yourself.

Love,

Marianne

Barb - I’m so sorry you’re having a rough time. Have you tried CBD tincture for nausea?

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to

Funny you should ask...a chum brought me some round on Monday and I’ve used it 2 nights and it has definitely helped...I have no appetite it not chucked up again...coincidence??..who knows!! But I’ll keep using it

Thanks

Barb xx

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

I also wear seabands around my wrists for nausea. Have done this since orig dx when I had chemo.

Hope it works for you!

You can buy them in any pharmacy.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to mariootsi

I might use the acupuncture points myself as I was shown The points on the inside of wrists...the bands work on these ..my daughter uses the bands as she really suffers from travel sickness and has to travel worldwide with her job and she really rates them

Thanks

Barb xx

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi in reply to Barbteeth

You are welcome. Feel better. And yes they work on the acupuncture points at the wrist.

mariootsi profile image
mariootsi

Barb,

Also, try eating saltine crackers. Works wonders for nausea. The salt along with the blandness of the crackers helps alot. Take it from someone who has dealt with alot of nausea.

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to mariootsi

Good idea and I love these

Barb xx

Francesca10 profile image
Francesca10

Barb

Sorry to hear you are having such side effects. When I had radiation I had really bad reactive pain. I was given dexamethasone and it went away. I don’t even know if you can take it with liver radiotherapy but can’t hurt to ask if you want to. Hoping this passes really fast; just keep killing the cancer cells!

Love to you

Frances

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth

Thanks Sandra

Had another session today and was careful what I ate afterwards...just orange juice and toast with jam!!.. and I was ok with that

Bought some peptobismol and had some of those if I felt any queasiness

Tired but went to a book talk and signing tonight...though I didn’t feel like going we had bought tickets...glad I went once I got there...just shows how making an effort pays off

Barb xx

Hi Barb,

Sorry to hear about the nausea you have been experiencing. I hope you are feeling better now. Have you mentioned the symptoms to your oncology nurses? They might be able to offer some practical suggestions if you are still dealing with the side effects of the radiotherapy.

Take care,

Sophie x

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to

Thanks Sophie

I did report my side effects...they advised little and often snacks instead of big meals

Been a bit better today but not much appetite...good for the figure!!..every cloud etc etc

Barb xx

in reply to Barbteeth

Morning Barb,

Let's hope the symptoms quickly pass and that the radiotherapy will zap those tumours. I'm glad you have your sense of humour! A friend who was going through chemotherapy once told me one of the perks of treatment was not having to shave her legs once all her hair fell out! I would probably have said the same thing! 😂😂

Sophie ❤

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to

Well the Ibrance has given me no underarm hair which is a bonus!!

I’ve just had a small bowl of porridge with honey and cinnamon in it...going to a yoga class this morning...hope I don’t feel sick...be embarrassing

My hubbys birthday today and were going out for lunch so I’ll just have something to pick at...salad omelette?

When he was a kid he thought Independence Day was because it was his birthday!!

Thanks for thinking of me

I go to London on Tuesday to COC Clinic...my daughter Miranda is going to go with me which is kind of her and we’ll have a meal out and maybe a bit of cheeky shopping if I’m up to it

Barb xx

Hope you are feeling better. I had some nausea when I had radiation for a thoracic tumor. It did go away though. Hopefully, your's will too. They do have pills for the nausea that, though they are tiny, they work really well.

Marieleb profile image
Marieleb

I hope you feel better soon Barb

TheGoodFight profile image
TheGoodFight

Encha Matcha Green tea

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth

Yes I will do Sandra...I just feel I’m running out of time

My best friend told me a few days ago that her husband has stage 4 prostate cancer...and he’s a consultant urologist...none of us are immune from cancer!!! it’s really upset me but also in a bizarre way has made me feel like I’m not alone as I don’t know anyone else personally with the disease...I know that may seem strange....

All the best

Barb xx

in reply to Barbteeth

Hi Barb,

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's husband's diagnosis. As you know, the beginning is so hard. I'm sure that with your personal insight you will be of real comfort to your friend and her husband. I know what you mean about not feeling alone now you know someone else personally who has metastatic cancer. It's not that you would wish it on anyone, but you feel a sense of camaraderie with someone else who is going through the same as you. I felt the same way recently when a friend who was in remission from breast cancer found out she has cancer again (it's a different type this time).

Take care,

Sophie x

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to

Yes Sophie you understand exactly

He’s a lovely chap...consultant surgeon just retired

It’s s bastard isn’t it?

Barb xx

in reply to Barbteeth

The thing is, I wish I didn't understand, Barb. Before I was diagnosed, I thought I knew what cancer was all about. I took what I thought were preventative steps so that I would not develop it, and what happened? I was a seemingly healthy 30-something- year-old given the news no one wants to hear.

Sophie x

Barbteeth profile image
Barbteeth in reply to

Yes it makes no sense whatsoever

Barb xx

Sunnydaz profile image
Sunnydaz

Barb, I’ve heard fennel tea helps with nausea. I hope you feel better soon. Sending healing energy to you xo

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