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sms43 
12:41pm, August 27, 2009
I went to the ER on Sun, 8/23, and was released yesterday, 8/26/09.
Had chemo on 8/18, and started vomiting and nausea on 8/21. Then diarrhea. Couldn't get control with any of the antiemetics I had, and I had a bunch - Zofran, Compazine, Phenargen, Decadron, Got Phenergen suppositories - nothing worked. Finally doc sent me to ER, where they evaluated and admitted me.
Turns out I had not only "delayed nausea", but an ultrasound showed I had gallbladder disease and the tumor in my liver had grown quite rapidly and was "huge" - my doctor's words.
The same nausea drugs were used to no avail through Monday 8/24. Finally they hit on one that worked - ativan! I hadn't slept or eaten for 5 days at that point. I slept well on Monday night, started a full diet on Tuesday under close observation, and when all went well and there was no more nausea, I was discharged yesterday (Wednesday).
I made a decision to not have more chemo when I had this extended and horrific reaction to it. My doctor claims to be able to use some other tricks to prevent it next time. I am struggling with whether or not to believe that. I don't think I can stand another bout like the last one.
I got Alimta, Carboplatin and Avastin. Along with these chemo drugs I had IV anti nausea drugs to include Decadron, EMEND, and Aloxi.
If anyone has had similar experiences or can offer insights and suggestions, please do. I appreciate you reading this.
Comments
I had Alimta and Cisplatin which is a cousin to Carboplatin, but no Avastin. For nausea they gave me much the same as you received, including ativan. I also had in pill form compazine, zofran and Emend, along with BDR gel. I never really suffered nausea like you did, and can't imagine what you were going thru, but did get a raging headache from the zofran which sent me back to the hospital for an 8-hour stay. Can heads really explode? I wonder if the difference may be your gallbladder problem or the Avastin? I understand that the drug companies, bless them, have manufactured many new antinausea meds. There must be something that will help. I'm so sorry this has caused you such discomfort! Please don't give up - you've come so far.
SpringChikn