Day Two, First Puke

[meatie]

My mother had her first infusion. So we are past the first 24 hours of chemo. I am anxiously checking her for signs of adverse drug reactions. Today, I asked her if she had any of the following: headache, dizziness, poor vision, mouth sores, swollen tongue, swollen throat, rash, chest pain, tingling & pain in hands+leg, joint pains, etc... But she only reported being very sensitive to grapes and apples and ice water (duh!). She still hasn't puked yet. With puking being a common chemo side effect, could this lack of puking be a sign of something bad happening later on? How many of you didn't puke at all during chemo?

[NZJay]

Not puking is a good sign, because puking sucks.

I only vomited three times during 6 months of chemotherapy, but I had mind-f***ing nausea through most of my treatment. Sometimes I actually wished I could puke.

They should have given you detailed information of what to look out for.

[esk2poo]

I only had one day in my six months wher I even felt neaseua. I took the anti emetics like clockwork to avoid getting to that point.
Good luck,
Allen

[testing765]

Not puking is a good sign, because puking sucks.

I only vomited three times during 6 months of chemotherapy, but I had mind-f***ing nausea through most of my treatment. Sometimes I actually wished I could puke.

They should have given you detailed information of what to look out for.

I just finished the first FOLFOX treatment and I know what you mean about mind-f***ing nausea because I started to have it. I have a strong stomach and had not thrown up or felt nauseous in years. But after chemo, it is almost as if you want to puke to just get it over with. Someone told me to keep food on my stomach to help avoid that feeling, which is weird to me, because the last thing I want to do when I feel nauseous is eat. The anti-nausea medications that gave me seem to help, but I have not got the timing right on them yet.

[betsydoglover]

I only vomited once and that was after eating Chinese food 4 days after my first treatment - probably not the best idea.

I took Compazine (procleramide?) proactively and while I occasionally had some nausea, I was never sick.

Your Mom will be ok.

[Voxx66]

I have never vomited after chemo and I have also never taken any of the anti-nausea meds outside of the I.V. ones given at the infusion center.

[cmrl]

I was so sick after the first chemo, probably because I ate something stupid, and then the anti nausea med made me constipated, which prolonged my misery. I figured out what worked for me, in general, and your mother needs to do the same for herself. I know you want to help, but be sure to give her some space!

[JDinNC]

No puking Or nausea here and wasn't taking any med.as a prevention....completed all chemo treatments with the normal side effects.

[mstults]

Vomiting is not a requirement or a given. I have never vomited from chemo. Most of the symptoms you asked her about will come on gradually if at all. Just make sure she avoids cold things to eat or drink.

[orcasres]

The effects of chemotherapy are cumulative; it is often the case that as you progress through the treatments, symptoms become more pronounced. So it is not surprising that she is having very few issues after the first infusion, but as you read here some folks do respond quickly. For me the reaction to cold was pronounced and quick. Other symptoms like nausea came after infusion 4. There is no significance to having one or more reactions, except if they become life threatening causing dehydration or with a fever and then you need to contact your oncology center for advice.

Lois

[Bev G]

Meatie, may we beg you to stop looking for trouble? Take things as they come and encourage your mom to follow her doctor's recommendations. She has a doctor for a good reason, or several of them: to care for her, get her through this, for you to ask your myriad questions of, and to trust for good, well-intentioned advice. If there is no trust for this doc, find another one.

Best wishes,

Bev

[bitchslapped]

Again, I will remind you about seeing the forest from the trees...look at the big picture. Your focus IMO is on every single little detail that could ever possibly happen to a cancer patient...or NOT. The bigger picture is that you really are trying to manage Stage 4 cancer. Aside from having the doctor move in with you, you will learn to deal with these smaller issues as they come.

Accept that your lives have been altered forever as all of ours on here have been. Life is not stagnant. You have to let go & ROLL WITH IT! Fasten your seat belt as there will be many twists & turns on this cancer journey and everybody has to learn to punt. We nor you can predict, nor did any of us have all the answers up front; still don't because everybody is different. Even for those that have had a recurrence, was everything exactly the same as it was initially? idk

We have all loved on here, Meatie. That, we understand. You don't have to anticipate all the negative things to help your mother. You will still be a good son to her. You are not perfect so lighten up on yourself.

Best wishes
Bitchslapped

[Voxx66]

I don't think begging is going to work Bev...ha. But seriously, there are enough issues to worry about that I wouldn't go looking for them. This is a marathon I think.

[GrouseMan]

My mother had her first infusion. So we are past the first 24 hours of chemo. I am anxiously checking her for signs of adverse drug reactions. Today, I asked her if she had any of the following: headache, dizziness, poor vision, mouth sores, swollen tongue, swollen throat, rash, chest pain, tingling & pain in hands+leg, joint pains, etc... But she only reported being very sensitive to grapes and apples and ice water (duh!). She still hasn't puked yet. With puking being a common chemo side effect, could this lack of puking be a sign of something bad happening later on? How many of you didn't puke at all during chemo?

No - my wife has been on this chemo for over a year and has never ever puked. Not even close. She gets no nausea. After her first treatment, she went for a trail run, and afterwards we stopped for ice cream. Forgot about the cold sensitivity. Caught it by surprise. No harm done, her tongue just got more numb than usual. Tingling didn't come until several treatments later. She has always had a good appetite. Her mouth would get a little sore, but little else other than fatigue at the end of the week.

Don't hover over her, asking over and over how she feels. You will start to piss her off. My wife really gets mad. I am sure many other care givers will tell you this is the single most annoying thing people do that ticks them off.

GrouseMan

[nick49]

Hi,

I know this is not easy...but you need to take a step backwards.....this journey for your mom is going to be tough at times. Don't try to overload yourself...it won't be of any help.
As far as I know vomiting is not always that common, stomach related problems and nausea can be a problem for many.
What actual chemo is your mom on?
Some of the drugs will cause an adversity to anything cold...ie. cold taps, water, items in the fridge....

I still encourage you to absorb the info available from many good cancer sites as well as the good people here.
Your moms treatment can cause many side effects that can change from day to day, week to week.....

Good luck in supporting your mom.

Nick