nausea and vomiting

Hello everyone. 

My syster has stage III ovarian cancer.  She's had surgery and is currently undergoing chemo.

 I feel very helpless because I don't have details - she's reluctant to talk about it.  But night before last her husband called me, frantic because her nausea and vomiting are extreme.  So far the medications tried have not helped, and she had to go in for IV fluids and nutrition.

 I'm looking for any - really any - suggestions of things other than the prescription meds that helped y'all control nausea.  I've read about ginger helping, and accupressure or accupuncture.  Are there other things - specific things - you could suggest?  Sounds?  Smells?  Meditation?  anything....

My heart goes out to all of you dealing with this disease.  This board is very heartening - you have such strength and compassion.  Thank you.

 Lynn

 

Lynn, I am not sure how you feel or she feels about it, but.....smoking *grass* does help.  She could prolly get a green card for is.  Nibble on Straight ginger root...peppermint gum... she needs to keep trying to drink or eat saltine crackers.  The way I figure, throwing up something is better than dry.  Did they give her zofran?  Need to take that every 4 or 6 hours depending on the dose, I always bump it up a couple of hours then what it says.  I truely feel for her.  Hopefully others can give more help.  Prayers to her, Pam

Thanks for your response.  I forwarded the information to my brother in law.  Called today and the nausea is much better, but the vomiting is still a problem.  She can't keep down any food, and her stomach is "gurgling and roiling".  Hoping they get that under control also - she goes in tomorrow for more IV nutrients.

 Lynn

Hi friend - concerning your sister's chemo-

Emend (Merck prescription drug) taken before and 2 days after chemo is a huge help.  Zofran will help and so will Ativan.

During chemo, she should eat something every 2 hrs and sip ginger ale.

In the week after chemo so the same-anti-nausea drugs work best when there is something in the stomach.

Have her learn how to deep breathe and meditate.  All the anti-nausea drugs can cause horrible constipation; need to eat fiber, take milk of magnesia or something similar and stool softeners every day.

God bless.